Missouri University of Science and Technology has named engineering professor Venkat Allada to lead its newly launched Innovation Ecosystem Design Initiative, as executive director.
The project, organized by the Kummer College of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic development at the university, began earlier this month. It aims to establish an entrepreneurs-in-residence program, host events, form a council of local and regional innovators, and welcome visitors from diverse backgrounds.
Allada, a professor of engineering management and systems engineering, will work with James Sterling, dean of the Kummer College, Tim Faley, associate vice chancellor of innovation, and Rachel Kohman, director of Kummer Student Programs, to boost entrepreneurial activities at Missouri S&T.
“This initiative is our first major step in developing a robust Rolla-centered regional innovation ecosystem,” said James Sterling, dean of the Kummer College, adding “The initiative will organize our approach to engaging with a variety of people interested in innovation and entrepreneurship, including our students, faculty and alumni, as well as business leaders, angel investors, venture capitalists, and local and state agencies that are stakeholders in building a regional innovation ecosystem.”
“I’m excited to lead the Kummer College’s first named initiative,” said Allada. “Whether it’s manufacturing, bioscience, data science, AI or any number of other fields, our region is poised to become a place known for fostering the development of innovative products and services to a global marketplace increasingly driven by technology.”
“This initiative signals S&T’s commitment to building and maintaining an open innovation ecosystem that will not only support but also inspire entrepreneurs and innovators across our region,” he added.
Allada joined Missouri S&T in 1994 and has a Ph.D. in industrial engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He focuses on STEM education, lean thinking, design automation, and sustainable product design. He served as vice provost for graduate studies from 2007 to 2017.
Allada has been the receipient of numerous awards including the ASEE Outstanding New Faculty Award and the SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award. He earned a Ph.D. in industrial engineering from the University of Cincinnati.
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