AUTM, a global nonprofit whose members support the commercialization of academic research, welcomed Almesha L. Campbell, Ph.D., as AUTM chair-elect, the first black person to serve on the Board, and as chair-elect. Campbell is assistant vice president for Research and Economic Development at Jackson State University (JSU) and previously served on the AUTM Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and the Women Inventors Special Interest Group prior to her election to the AUTM Board.
“Dr. Almesha Campbell is an outstanding leader and will do well in this new role as chair-elect for AUTM,” said Joseph Whittaker, Ph.D., JSU vice president for research and economic development. “Her election to such a position is not surprising, considering her expertise, knowledge-base, and presence in the academic tech transfer space. This is another example of how JSU faculty and staff can elevate the JSU brand through hard work and effective engagement with industry, stakeholders, and the community. We thank Dr. Campbell for her continued service in this critical area.”
Campbell spearheads innovation and tech transfer at JSU and contributes significantly to activities in federal relations, as well as cultivating corporate partnerships. She assists in the oversight of grants and contracts, sponsored programs, and research compliance. Additionally, she serves as principal investigator for the JSU I-Corps Site program, which trains teams of faculty and students to commercialize their ideas. Her goal is to challenge the lack of representation of minorities in research and development and to elevate the opportunities for JSU faculty and students to participate in a diversified tech transfer environment. Campbell’s tenure as AUTM chair will begin in February 2023.
“I am honored to have been elected by the Board to serve AUTM in this capacity. I have been a member of the organization for over 10 years and have witnessed the evolution of the Board and the organization to being more inclusive. I expect to continue to build on the stellar accomplishments of my predecessors to ensure AUTM’s future success and sustainability,” said Campbell.
AUTM is the nonprofit leader in efforts to educate, promote and inspire professionals to support the development of academic research that changes the world and drives innovation forward. Its community is comprised of more than 3,000 members who work in more than 800 universities, research centers, hospitals, businesses and government organizations around the globe. To learn more about AUTM, visit www.autm.net