Associate VP, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that, after a national search, Dr. Abhijit (Jit) Banerjee will join UConn’s Office of the Vice President for Research as Associate Vice President, Innovation and Entrepreneurship on May 22, 2020.

Prior to joining the UConn team, Dr. Banerjee served as Senior Director of Business Development at the Office of Technology Transfer & Business Development at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), where he oversaw a team of business development professionals. During his tenure at OHSU, Dr. Banerjee led several major commercialization initiatives, including implementing strategies for academic-industry partnerships and long-term growth, guiding startup formation and life cycle management of new companies, and building a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem to encourage the translation of research to the market. He also has extensive experience supporting university spinoff companies, specifically in the life sciences, healthcare, and digital health sectors. Dr. Banerjee holds a Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology at the University of Calcutta and an MBA from Suffolk University.

In this newly created role, Dr. Banerjee will be responsible for all aspects of the University’s technology commercialization activities, including patenting, licensing, venture development, and UConn’s business incubator, the Technology Incubation Program (TIP). Reporting to the Vice President for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Banerjee will support UConn’s continued growth as an economic driver for the state of Connecticut by helping to set an agenda that defines the University’s program in technology commercialization. I believe that Jit is a leader who is not afraid to take risks, has a clear purpose, and a high level of enthusiasm. He will work with a team to get the most out of the university and stay abreast of an ever-changing world.

I would also like to thank the search committee for their time in this comprehensive national search.

 

Cheers,

Radenka

 

Dr. Radenka Maric

Vice President for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
UConn/UConn Health
Professor in Sustainable Energy
438 Whitney Road Ext., Unit 1006
Storrs, CT 06269
Storrs: 860.486.3621
UCH: 860.679.2230
research.uconn.edu