EUGENE—The University of Oregon has selected Don Gerhart as the new director of its Office of Technology Transfer. Gerhart, 43, comes to the UO from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, where he served as associate director for technology transfer and industry research.

"At NCSU, I worked closely with university administrators, faculty inventors, industry licensing executives, venture capitalists and attorneys to bring promising new discoveries forward into commercial development," Gerhart says. "As director of Technology Transfer for the University of Oregon, I’ll be doing very similar work."

The UO Office of Technology Transfer oversees licensing and royalty income that has grown from about $50,000 in 1992 to more than $300,000 this year. The major objectives of the office are to transfer new knowledge and technology for the benefit of the public, to diversify and increase corporate support of faculty research, and to protect and manage the intellectual property assets of the university.

"UO technology transfer efforts have led to successful commercialization of university discoveries in a wide range of areas including software, polymers, alloys and DNA sequences," Gerhart says. "I look forward to building on this strong foundation so that the fruits of UO research can continue to move forward into practical applications that serve society."

From 1995-99, Gerhart served in a number of positions, including director of intellectual property at Cato Research Ltd. (not related to the Cato Institute) of Durham, N. C. The company provides strategic development services to the pharmaceutical, medical services and diagnostics industries. Prior to his employment with Cato Research, he was a Duke University faculty member.

"I find that having worked in both academia and industry is a big help to me professionally," he says. "It enables me to understand and appreciate the diverse perspectives involved in licensing, venture development and other areas of industry-university technology transfer."

Gerhart earned a Ph.D. in biology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He also is a registered patent agent. At NCSU, Gerhart managed a portfolio of more than 200 inventions, derived primarily from NCSU’s biotechnology and life sciences research programs.

"I am delighted that Don has taken on this role for the University of Oregon," says Rich Linton, UO vice provost for research and dean of the graduate school. "I have the greatest respect for his diverse experience and expertise in technology commercialization, and know that he will have a substantial impact on such efforts at the university."

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