Key Takeaways
- Sam Liss has been named the next leader of Harvard’s Office of Technology Development (OTD)
- Liss will oversee corporate partnerships, licensing agreements, and funding programs to accelerate University research with real-world applications
- The appointment comes as Harvard faces multiple financial challenges, including the prospect of diminished future federal research funding
- Liss brings 15 years of experience with OTD and a background in business development, corporate marketing, and management consulting
- The University aims to expand its corporate partnerships to offset potential losses in federal research funding
Introduction to the Office of Technology Development
The Office of Technology Development (OTD) at Harvard University plays a crucial role in handling corporate partnerships, licensing agreements for intellectual property, and funding programs to accelerate University research with real-world applications. The office has been instrumental in advancing scientific discovery and deepening human knowledge, with a focus on maximizing societal impact rather than revenue. Recently, Harvard has named Sam Liss as the next leader of OTD, a move that is expected to further strengthen the University’s innovation efforts.
The New Leader: Sam Liss
Sam Liss, who has been with OTD for 15 years, is currently the executive director of strategic partnerships. He manages two funds for advancing discoveries to the startup stage: the Harvard GRID Accelerator Fund, which specializes in science and engineering projects, and the Climate and Sustainability Translational Fund. Liss will start his new role as chief technology development officer and associate provost on January 2, succeeding Isaac Kohlberg, who will remain an adviser through June 2026. With his extensive experience and background in business development, corporate marketing, and management consulting, Liss is well-equipped to lead OTD and drive innovation at Harvard.
Expansion of Corporate Partnerships
The appointment of Sam Liss as the leader of OTD comes at a time when Harvard is facing multiple financial challenges, including the prospect of diminished future federal research funding. To offset potential losses, the University has hoped to dramatically expand its corporate partnerships, a goal that has now become an imperative. Provost John Manning expressed confidence that Liss would "continue to nurture productive and innovative collaborations that further scientific discovery, deepen human knowledge, and make the world better as a result." Senior vice provost for research John Shaw noted that "this is a key moment for industry engagement at the University" and that Liss’s dedication to advancing science and fostering entrepreneurship would be an incredible asset to the team at OTD.
The Importance of OTD’s Work
The work of OTD has never been more crucial in advancing research to address a wide range of urgent societal needs. As Liss noted, "our success relies on the remarkable research being conducted across the University, combined with our deep engagement with dedicated alumni, companies, investors, and entrepreneurs who are vital to our achievements." The office’s mission to maximize societal impact rather than revenue is more important than ever, as Harvard seeks to make a positive impact on the world through its research and innovation efforts. With Liss at the helm, OTD is well-positioned to continue its important work and drive innovation at Harvard.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
In conclusion, the appointment of Sam Liss as the leader of Harvard’s Office of Technology Development is a significant move that is expected to further strengthen the University’s innovation efforts. With his extensive experience and background in business development, corporate marketing, and management consulting, Liss is well-equipped to lead OTD and drive innovation at Harvard. As the University faces multiple financial challenges, including the prospect of diminished future federal research funding, the expansion of corporate partnerships has become an imperative. With Liss at the helm, OTD is well-positioned to continue its important work and drive innovation at Harvard, making a positive impact on the world through its research and innovation efforts.
