New Director of Technology Transfer and Innovation Arrives at KAUST

Dr. Sohail Malik has joined us as the new Director of Technology Transfer and Innovation. Coming to KAUST from University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, USA, Dr. Malik brings over 20 years of experience in multidimensional management in the areas of research and development. His wealth of experience includes new business ventures, technology commercialization and intellectual property.

“KAUST has brought together the brightest minds and the best facilities to discover and develop the next generation of technologies and innovations,” said Dr. Malik. “What excites me most about this opportunity is how technology advancement and transfer can be utilized to create a lasting impact on the Saudi economy. It is a very ambitious endeavor and one I am very pleased to be a part of.”

Before accepting his position at KAUST, Dr. Malik held two senior positions at the University of Georgia. Most recently, he was the Director of Business Development at the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. (UGARF) where he supported activities focused on assisting state and regional economic development initiatives. Prior to this, he was the Director and Chief Licensing Officer of their Technology Commercialization Office, where he ran one of the most successful technology transfer and licensing programs in the United States.

“I look forward to serving and leading KAUST into the position of being an international model in all matters related with intellectual property management to promote economic development and the advancement of knowledge for the common good,” said Dr. Malik. “We have an excellent technology licensing portfolio and I look forward to creating new commercialization opportunities, enhancing our capabilities, and developing new partnerships to create innovation driven economic impact in the Kingdom.”

Over the years, Dr. Malik has played many roles from teaching and research and working as a Technical Leader in Kimberly-Clark Corporation’s New Business and Technology Department to co-founding BioFrontiers Inc, a biopharmaceutical company. He has a PhD in Chemistry from the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences and completed his postdoctoral research at Stanford University. He’s published over 40 research articles, has 20 issued patents, and is currently a member of the editorial board of Current Medicinal Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry.


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