A former technology manager at NUtech Ventures is returning to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to lead the university’s Office of Industry Relations.
Zane Gernhart will assume the executive director position March 23.
“I’m excited about this opportunity,” he said. “In my previous role with NUtech Ventures, I had the opportunity to work closely with researchers across campus on commercialization efforts. I look forward to re-engaging with former colleagues and to learning about new research initiatives at UNL.”
The executive director of Industry Relations provides strategic leadership for the university’s industry engagement efforts, directing a team that connects the private sector with the university’s research strengths to advance discovery, innovation and economic impact.
“Thanks to his previous experience at UNL, Zane is well-placed to lead the university’s outreach and partnership efforts with companies, economic development entities and technology-based stakeholders,” said Jen Nelson, interim vice chancellor for research and innovation. “This robust industry funding pipeline is essential in supporting our research and education mission.”
“The Office of Industry Relations will seek to strengthen Nebraska’s innovation economy by better connecting the world-class researchers and facilities at UNL with companies across the state," Gerhart said. "Creating strong public/private partnerships is something that I am deeply passionate about and is essential to fulfilling our land-grant mission.”
Gernhart said he will be building on an already strong effort as he looks for opportunities to approach partnering in new ways.
“Early and frequent industry engagement will be essential to providing UNL innovators with the deep understanding of industry challenges required to generate breakthrough solutions,” he said. “The Office of Industry Relations will seek to engage broadly with industry and to provide clear pathways to engaging with our researchers on these efforts.”
Industry Relations coordinates closely with Nebraska Innovation Campus, NUtech Ventures, college-based industry engagement efforts and campus leaders to align, support and advance industry engagement activities.
Gernhart most recently was executive director of North Dakota State University’s Research Foundation. He has led translation and innovation efforts for a National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine, which can receive up to $160 million over 10 years to support the development of regional coalitions of researchers, institutions and companies to conduct research and development that engages people in the process of creating solutions with economic and societal impacts.
