A seasoned business executive and product-development professional has been tapped to lead the Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF).

As CURF executive director, Chris Gesswein is charged with commercializing innovative Clemson technology and intellectual property and nurturing private-sector partnerships that will advance scientific discovery at Clemson and support economic growth. Gesswein, who joined CURF in 2014 as director of licensing for technology transfer, has served as interim director since 2017.

“CURF serves as the intersection of university research and the economy. Chris’ business savvy and understanding of research and development will benefit Clemson faculty, industry, and the South Carolina economy,” said Tanju Karanfil, vice president for research.

Prior to joining CURF, Gesswein was vice president of business development at Ultradian Diagnostics, a startup he helped nurture to a clinical-stage medical device company while overseeing fundraising, regulatory compliance and research grants management. He has more than 20 years of experience bringing various technologies from concept to market working as a new product development and technology transfer specialist for early-stage startups as well as large multinational companies. Gesswein also operated a consulting business to assist mid-market life sciences companies and has been a co-author on approximately 21 federal SBIR/STTR and state technology-development grants.

“With a deep understanding of business, product development and research, Chris is well-positioned to lead a great team at CURF and was an easy, unanimous choice by the board to move the organization forward,” said CURF board Chairman George Acker.

The Clemson University Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation organized exclusively for charitable, educational or scientific purposes to promote the research enterprise at Clemson University.

Through an agency agreement with the university, the foundation is commercializing intellectual property through technology transfer, licensing agreements and new venture formations, and assisting with research development through a foundation-sponsored technology maturation program and participation in early-stage research grants and sponsored research activities.