Chris Gesswein has been named the executive director of the Clemson University Research Foundation.
Gesswein, who joined the foundation in 2014 as director of licensing for technology transfer, has served as interim director since 2017. As executive director, he will be tasked with commercializing technology and intellectual property designed at Clemson University and nurturing private-sector partnerships that will advance scientific discovery and support economic growth.
“CURF serves as the intersection of university research and the economy. Chris’ business savvy and understanding of research and development will benefit Clemson faculty, industry, and the South Carolina economy,” said Tanju Karanfil, vice president for research.
Gesswein has more than 20 years of experience bringing various technologies from concept to market working as a new product development and technology transfer specialist for early-stage startups as well as large multinational companies.
Prior to joining CURF, Gesswein was vice president of business development at Ultradian Diagnostics, a startup he helped nurture to a clinical-stage medical device company while overseeing fundraising, regulatory compliance, and research grants management, according to a news release. He also operated a consulting business to assist mid-market life sciences companies and has been a co-author on approximately 21 federal SBIR/STTR and state technology-development grants.
Gesswein received his master’s degree in biotechnology and molecular biology from Johns Hopkins University and his bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University. He has an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York and is a member of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry, the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the Association of University Technology Managers, and the Licensing Executive Society.
“With a deep understanding of business, product development, and research, Chris is well-positioned to lead a great team at CURF and was an easy, unanimous choice by the board to move the organization forward,” said CURF board chairman George Acker.
Established in 1981, the Clemson University Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation that works to commercialize intellectual property through technology transfer; license agreements and new venture formations; and assist with research development through a foundation-sponsored technology maturation program and participation in early-stage research grants and sponsored research activities.
For more information, visit curf.clemson.edu.
