Vol. 38, No. 18

1-7-2009
By:

Mikesell to lead new Industry Liaison Office

The Office of Research has broadened its efforts to create economic development opportunities with the opening of the Industrial Liaison Office.

The ILO will serve as the “gateway” to Ohio State innovation and expertise. 

“This office was created to provide front-door access to the university for business and industry, thereby facilitating quicker connections to world-class research and service capabilities,” said Sharell Mikesell, who will head the new office.

Vice President for Research Caroline Whitacre said the new office will further several parts of the university’s mission.

“By helping to connect industry to the university’s stellar researchers and students, the Industry Liaison Office will be a key factor in Ohio State’s commitment to pursue transformative research, as well as our land-grant mission to improve the lives of our citizens by fostering economic development,” Whitacre said.

Mikesell has served as the co-director for the Center for Multifunctional Polymer Nanomaterials and Devices centered at Ohio State since 2005.

“My goal is to facilitate a broader range of collaborations between the university and industry, foster economic development opportunities from cutting-edge research and establish new internship and learning opportunities for students,” he said.

Prior to joining Ohio State, Mikesell was a successful senior executive with 30 years of corporate leadership experience in global research and development and business operations. He worked with major companies including GE, Owens-Corning and Advanced Elastomer Systems, a subsidiary of Exxon-Mobil. 

“We are delighted that Sharell Mikesell has agreed to lead this effort,” Whitacre said. “His energy, enthusiasm and considerable experience with industry leaders in the state make him the perfect person for this role, and we are looking forward to working with him to make this office a focal point in forging strong university-industry connections.”

Linking the immense assets of the university to industry needs will result in enhanced services, improved processes and new ideas for industry ventures, according to Mikesell. The university benefits as well because it will better be able to align its research agenda and educational programs with current industry needs.

“By marketing the university’s immense research potential to industry, Ohio State’s visibility and reputation for research will most certainly be elevated as the university moves from research excellence to research eminence,” Whitacre said. “The partnerships created also will promote innovation and stimulate economic growth.”

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