AUTM’s New Chair, Board Members Take Office 

AUTM’s New Chair, Board Members Take Office 

 

San Diego, Calif. – February 21, 2024 – Andrew J. Maas, Associate Vice President for Research overseeing the Louisiana State University (LSU) Office of Innovation & Ecosystem Development, today assumed the position of Board Chair for AUTM, a global nonprofit whose Members support the commercialization of academic research. 

Maas has more than 16 years of experience in technology licensing and commercialization. He succeeds Almesha L. Campbell, PhD, Assistant Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Jackson State University. Maas’s term as Chair ends in March 2025, when he will be succeeded by Joy Goswami, Senior Director of Corporate Engagements at Johns Hopkins University. 

“It’s an honor to be selected, and I’m grateful to AUTM’s Board for giving me the opportunity to advance the organization’s goals,” said Maas, who will focus his tenure on expanding tech transfer educational offerings. “This year, we are committed to helping AUTM professionals get the training and education needed in a dynamic profession, when, where and how they want it.”  

At LSU, Maas’s duties include overseeing the Office of Innovation and Ecosystem Development. LSU Innovation unites the university’s innovation and commercialization resources under one office, maximizing LSU's impact on the intellectual, economic and social development of Louisiana and beyond. LSU Innovation is focused on establishing, developing and growing technology-based startup companies, and oversees LSU Innovation Park, a 200-acre business incubator that fosters early-stage tech companies, and the Office of Innovation & Technology Commercialization, which streamlines the process of evaluating, protecting and licensing intellectual property created by LSU researchers. 

“Andy has been a powerful and thoughtful voice on the Board,” said Stephen J. Susalka, PhD. “As the Principal Investigator for a $160M Engines Type 2 grant, Andy is poised at the nexus between commercializing innovations and their regional, societal and economic development impact. The Board will be well served with him at the helm.” 

Joining the Board this year are newly installed Directors elected to three-year terms:   

  • Irene Abrams, Vice President Technology Development & New Ventures at Boston Children's Hospital. 

  • Ellen MacKay, Director of Innovation Development at Lakehead University in Ontario, Canada, and  

  • Gaylene Anderson, US Director-Strategic Research Relationships with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, will fill a newly designated Board seat for an Industry Representative. 

  • Doug Aguilera, Principal at Aguilera & Associates, was also re-elected to another term as AUTM Treasurer. 
     

About AUTM 
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. Our community is composed 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. 

Media Contact 
Leef Smith Barnes 
Chief Marketing Officer 
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703-870-4895 

Download a PDF of the press release here.