Advancing Research, Creativity and Innovations through Private Sector Partnerships
Sept. 18, 2026
9 A.M. – 3 P.M.
MSC 2300 D&E
Memorial Student Center
Overview
This workshop will provide researchers with practical resources for initiating, structuring, and sustaining partnerships with the private sector including industry, philanthropic foundations, and nonprofit organizations.
Participants will gain insights into what motivates the private sector to fund research, strategies to pitch research ideas for funding, and resources available to facilitate sponsored projects and resulting intellectual property.
Collaborating Units
Agenda
Friday, Sept. 18, 2026
Arrival and Networking Breakfast
Dr. Angela K. Wilson, Vice President for Research, VPR University Chair and Professor of Chemistry, Texas A&M University
Dr. Henry Fadamiro, Associate Vice President for Research, Strategic Initiatives, Texas A&M University
Session 1: Industry Partnerships
Moderator: Dr. Anthony Boccanfuso, President and CEO, UIDP
Panelist: Kevin Byrne, President and CEO, The University Financing Foundation
Panelist: Chunlei Chu, Digital Science Lead, BP Corporation North America Inc.
Panelist: Salman Khan, MBA, Vice President of Economic Development, Greater Brazos Partnership
Panelist: Dr. Qiang Liu, Associate R&D Director, External Technology, The Dow Chemical Company
Panelist: Dr. Bain Wilson, Rancher Education and Outreach Manager, Ranchbot Monitoring Solutions
Contracts and Agreements
Dr. Travis Young, Associate Director, Sponsored Research Services, Texas A&M University
Sabrina Allan, J.D., MBIOT, Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Contract Office, Texas A&M AgriLife Administrative Services
Marcie Avery, Director, Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Contracts, TEES
Industry and Corporate Engagement
Carl T. Muntean, Program Director, Corporate Engagement and Research Support, Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Dr. Saurabh Biswas, Executive Director, Technology Transitions, Professor of Practice, Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University
Magdalina Lagoudas, Executive Director, Industry and Nonprofit Partnerships, Instructional Associate Professor, Engineering Academic and Student Affairs
IP and Innovation Commercialization
Janie Hurley, MBA, Senior Director, Licensing, Texas A&M Innovation
Moderator: Dr. Daniel McAdams, Faculty Fellow, Office of the Vice President for Research, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University
Dr. Jeffery C. Chancellor, Executive Director, Aerospace, Austere and Military Medicine Program, Texas A&M University
Dr. Gregory Daddis, Professor, History, Texas A&M University
Dr. Julie Ann Hartell, Assistant Professor, Construction Science, Texas A&M University
Dr. William Rooney, Regents Professor, Soil and Crop Science, Texas A&M University
Networking Lunch
Session 2: Philanthropic Foundations
Dr. Angela Seaworth, MBA, ACFRE, Instructional Associate Professor and Director of Philanthropic Initiatives and Capacity Building, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University
Patrick Williams, Vice President of Development, Texas A&M Foundation
Moderator: Dr. Angela Seaworth, MBA, ACFRE, Instructional Associate Professor and Director of Philanthropic Initiatives and Capacity Building, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University
Panelist: Katy Butterwick, Executive Director, The Cullen Trust for Health Care
Panelist: Elizabeth Love, CEO, Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation
Panelist: Dr. Andrea Robledo, Programs and Strategy Officer, Greater Texas Foundation
Panelist: Kristin Roden Atmar, Director of Grant Programs, The Welch Foundation
Dr. Daniel McAdams, Faculty Fellow, Office of the Vice President for Research, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University
Dr. Henry Fadamiro, Associate Vice President for Research, Strategic Initiatives, Texas A&M University
Contact
Kristin De Ruiter
Strategic Initiatives Program Manager Office of the Vice President for Research Division of Resarch- kderuiter@tamu.edu
- (979) 862-2233