Tufts TTO names senior director

Tufts University’s technology transfer office is now being headed by a new face, as Erik Halvorsen (pictured) has taken over as senior director of technology transfer and industry collaboration. He began his work on August 4, 2014.

Halvorsen previously held the position of executive director at the Boston Children’s Hospital Technology and Innovation Development Office, which he joined in October 2007. He also has experience leading a university technology transfer office, however, as he was director of business development at Harvard University from February 2002 to October 2007.

Halvorsen holds a PhD in neuropharmacology from Virginia University.

He has commented that he was attracted to the office’s commitment to quality research across the university’s various schools and disciplines, as well as recognising its potential for growth.

Erik Halvorsen said: “There is so much more that we can be doing in terms of supporting research and innovation and entrepreneurship and translation and commercialisation here. I heard the same message over and over again, which is we want to build this capability out so that we can better support research and innovation and entrepreneurship and be connecting things to make an impact. And that has been a focus to me: impact at Tufts and also in the world with our research and innovation, translating that into products that make a difference.”