K-State promotes Brandt following Robinson’s departure

K-State Innovation Partners, the commercialisation arm of Kansas State University, has appointed its chief tech innovation officer Chris Brandt to interim president and chief executive.

Brandt took over on Monday. He succeeds Rebecca Robinson, who will become associate vice-president for the economic development and industry relations office at Oregon State University on April 15. She had led K-State Innovation Partners since April 2023.

Brandt has been with Kansas State University since 2015, initially joining as interim vice-president for technology transfer before becoming president and CEO of Kansas State University Research Foundation in 2016. He became chief tech innovation office in 2019.

He had previously spent more than a decade in the food industry, including more than seven years being responsible for the management of intellectual property at Mars Petcare.

David Rosowsky, vice-president for research and chairman of K-State Innovation Partners, said: “Chris’ passion for K-State’s research and innovation is undeniable. I look forward to his capable leadership as we work together to streamline and enhance pathways for commercialising K-State’s intellectual property.”