Pennington Biomedical Research Chief Business Development Officer Named President-Elect of Leading International Tech Transfer Organization

For more information, contact our Media Relations Manager, Ted Griggs, 225-763-2862 or our Communications Director, Lisa Stansbury, at 225-763-2978. Our news email box is also available at news@pbrc.edu.

Released: Thursday, February 26, 2015

Baton Rouge, LA – The chief business development officer at LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center – Dr. David Winwood – has been chosen by the membership of the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) to serve as president-elect of the organization. AUTM is an international association which advances research discoveries through academic technology transfer. Winwood was inaugurated at AUTM's annual meeting in New Orleans this week.

AUTM's membership is comprised of professionals involved in all aspects of protecting, licensing and managing academic intellectual property. Winwood will continue in his current role as AUTM vice president for advocacy and will also serve as president-elect of the organization until March 2016, when he will formally assume the role of president. 

"We are incredibly proud of Dave. Being voted president-elect for the leading academic advocacy and technology transfer organization is high praise for his effectiveness," said Dr. William T. Cefalu, Pennington Biomedical's executive director. "This is a compliment to Pennington Biomedical and to the great team that we have here. Dave's expanded role with AUTM underscores the significant efforts we have underway to create innovative partnerships with an eye toward future success in the research and tech transfer arenas."

AUTM is the global leader in advancing research discoveries for societal benefit. As vice president for advocacy, Winwood has networked on AUTM's behalf with public officials and organizations in the U.S. and abroad. He also oversaw and monitored national and international public policy issues. Winwood's increased responsibility as president-elect and later president of AUTM opens the door for even greater collaboration between Pennington Biomedical and technology transfer entities around the world.

Winwood joined Pennington Biomedical as its first chief business development officer in July 2014 with a focus on taking local health, prevention and chronic disease treatment discoveries to the global marketplace. During his term as AUTM president, he will engage with industry partners to improve collaboration efficiency and implement the organization's mission to support and develop academic technology transfer.

"The new model for technology transfer focuses on diverse service offerings, promoting entrepreneurship and engaging partnerships," said Winwood. "Pennington Biomedical has been on the international research map for two decades. This position is a testament to that. As I push for greater alliances among U.S. and international tech transfer associations on behalf of AUTM, LSU and Pennington Biomedical will have a seat at the table in seeking out new opportunities for tech collaboration and cooperation in getting our ideas from the research bench to the marketplace."

AUTM has roughly 3,300 members and counts in its network individuals from nearly every academic research institution in the world. Winwood joins an 11-member AUTM board for his three-year term as president (president-elect, president, past-president).

###

The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is at the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the triggers of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia. It is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The research enterprise at Pennington Biomedical includes approximately 80 faculty and more than 25 post-doctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories supported by lab technicians, nurses, dietitians, and support personnel, and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical's more than 500 employees perform research activities in state-of-the-art facilities on the 222-acre campus located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.