President Greenwood announces members of advisory council on technology

Council to study UH's successes, challenges and opportunities for innovation and technology transfer

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Jeanne Mariani-Belding, (808) 956-9803
Kristen Bonilla, (808) 956-5039
External Affairs and University Relations
Posted: Apr 5, 2010

HONOLULU – Working to enhance the University of Hawai‘i’s research programs and technology development and transfer, UH President M.R.C. Greenwood appointed on Monday a team of local and national experts to serve on the newly created President’s Advisory Council on Hawai‘i Innovation and Technology Advancement. The council will examine the university’s innovation, research and technology capabilities and draw on the experiences and expertise of local and mainland organizations and institutions in these areas.
 
The council will also hold briefings or symposia on innovation and technology transfer issues, and provide recommendations that will help create a roadmap for the university, positioning UH to further contribute to the state’s economy.
 
The advisory council’s initial meeting held Monday included a discussion on the group’s guiding principles, timeline and overall objectives. The meeting was co-hosted by U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, underscoring the importance of the council not only to the university, but also to Hawai‘i’s overall economic future.
 
“If we are able to harness the academic investments the University of Hawai‘i makes annually in science and technology, and translate them into viable products, services and capabilities of commercial and governmental interest, it would add much depth to Hawai‘i’s growing technology sector,” Inouye said. “I commend President Greenwood for her leadership and look forward to working with her team. It holds much promise.”
 
Greenwood initially announced her plans to form the advisory council during her address to the Hawai‘i State Legislature in February as part of the university’s broader objective to continue to contribute positively to the state’s workforce and economy.
 
“While we have successful examples of technology transfer, I believe we can do more,” Greenwood said. “This group will provide counsel and recommendations that will help us set the course for our journey from where we are to where we want to be as leaders in the area of research, innovation and technology.
 
“Council members were selected based on their extensive experiences and distinguished accomplishments in conceptualizing, designing and implementing research systems and enterprises. They are among the best and brightest in their fields and I look forward to the discussion and ideas that will be generated by this impressive group of experts.”
 
Greenwood will serve as the council’s convener, and Dr. Keiki-Pua Dancil, president and CEO of the Hawai‘i Science and Technology Council, will help organize, staff and facilitate Greenwood’s charge to this group. UH Vice President for Research James Gaines will serve as convener in Greenwood’s absence; and UH Mānoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw and Harold Masumoto, project director for Hawai‘i Technology Development Venture, will serve as advisers to the council.
 
Council members include:
  • Dr. Carl Bonham, executive director of the University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization and associate economics professor, UH Mānoa;
  • Daniel Goldin, chairman, president and CEO of The Intellisis Corporation;
  • Katharine Ku, director of the Office of Technology Licensing, Stanford University;
  • Jim Lally, engineer and former general manager, Intel, and member, University of Hawai‘i Foundation Board of Trustees;
  • Dr. Brian Taylor, dean, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, UH Mānoa;
  • Barry Weinman, venture capitalist and philanthropist, Barry and Virginia Weinman Foundation, and chairman, University of Hawai‘i Foundation Board of Trustees;
  • Dr. Mary Walshok, associate vice chancellor of public programs and dean of extended studies, UC San Diego; and
  • Dr. Hank C.K. Wuh, founder and CEO of Cellular Bioengineering, Inc.
During the last fiscal year alone, UH faculty brought in more than $414 million in research and training revenue from federal agencies, other institutions and private organizations, generating jobs and fueling the state’s economy.
 
“The university system not only generates revenue, it also promotes spin-offs and is engaged in important research and invention disclosures,” said Greenwood. “Particularly in this economic climate, we need to be more innovative in the area of technology transfer and stay competitive in our federal research and training enterprise.”
 
The council is scheduled to issue its report to the president in August in conjunction with the start of the 2010 academic year.