Chris is the Executive Director of Industry Collaborations.
Chris Rowe leads Vanderbilt's efforts to create and expand mutually beneficial industry research collaborations that advance strategic scientific programs, solves industry-relevant research and development challenges, and provides channels to deploy and commercialize new technologies of substantial societal impact. He holds faculty appointments in engineering management and communication of science and technology.
We caught up with Chris to learn more about his contributions in the Vanderbilt innovation system.
What inspired you to join Vanderbilt and lead its Industry Collaborations team?
I had been doing similar work for a few years in the School of Engineering as associate dean for external relations prior to joining CTTC. As an engineering management professor, I love studying companies, talking with them, and learning about their R&D capabilities and challenges. The opportunity to do what I did in Engineering, but at the university level, was appealing as a way I could make a bigger difference by helping to build this part of Vanderbilt’s future. Joining the office as the industry collaborations lead was even more appealing because of the CTTC team. The culture and collegiality of the group is simply the best on campus.
Can you share a milestone that still resonates today?
When we signed on Nissha Medical Technologies as a major campus partner, I knew we had reached a new phase of working with industry. Vanderbilt had never done a deal like that one and we learned a lot. I’m certainly looking forward to working on many more of those as part of the innovation neighborhood and independent of the neighborhood. Participating in Vanderbilt’s growth as a valuable industry partner and working with key stakeholders in the process has been the most rewarding part of my career. I’m proud to be part of a team that has embraced new pathways and mechanisms to make collaborating with Vanderbilt easier.
What areas or new initiatives are you most excited about?
We’re currently working closely with university leadership on an Industry Affiliates Program for our centers and institutes across campus. These programs allow for companies to gain valuable insights into new knowledge being created in our labs, be involved on campus, and become familiar with the world class talent we’re producing. In exchange for that access, companies provide resources to allow those centers and institutes flexibility to invest in their growth and expand their influence. I’m also super excited about the innovation neighborhood. To be part of the large team working to bring that to reality is energizing. It’s a complex, long-term project that is critical for the region’s innovation economy.
How do you recharge outside of work?
Most people think I’m an extrovert, but I’m really a slow-burn introvert. I need quiet time to recharge. I also like to cook and travel.
What is a fun fact about you?
I’m a Triple-Dore.