Gary Plourde has left his role at private intellectual property office Janus Patents to become University of Bridgeport's director tech transfer and venture creation.
University of Bridgeport has named Gary Plourde (pictured), previously a patent agent at intellectual property office Janus Patents, as its new director of tech transfer and venture creation.
Plourde started the job on June 4, taking responsibility for the university’s innovation, entrepreneurship, tech transfer and commercialisation initiatives, as well as partnerships with institutions including Fairfield University, Housatonic Community College and Norwalk Community College.
He will be expected to oversee the management of $720,000 available to his department over three years through the CTNext grant scheme, run by state-owned VC firm Connecticut Innovations with matching funds from the university.
Prior to joining Janus Patents, Ploude had worked in chemical patent litigation at law firm Goodwin Procter and at pharmaceutical developer Pfizer as a chemical patent specialist.
He holds a finance MSc from Golden Gate University, in addition to an MBA in healthcare management from University of California, Irvine, a PhD in organic chemistry from Clemson University and a law degree from University of Richmond’s School of Law.
Plourde said: “Economic development is one of my passions, and this role, as director of tech transfer and venture creation, allows me to really contribute to Bridgeport and its new programs in innovation and tech transfer.”
Gad Selig, dean of industry outreach and business development at University of Bridgeport, said: “We are very excited to have Dr Plourde join University of Bridgeport. He will help us accelerate and grow the entrepreneurship and innovation environment at Bridgeport and at Bridgeport partner institutions.”
