Speaker Profile
Ph.D., Chancellor, North Carolina State University
Biography
Dr. Randy Woodson, the 14th chancellor of North Carolina State University, is a nationally recognized scholar and academic leader who oversees the largest university in North Carolina, with more than 34,000 students and a $1.4 billion budget. Under his leadership, NC State expanded its reputation as a pre-eminent research institution. Woodson’s strategic plan aligned the university for greater effectiveness, efficiency and — most importantly — student success. Chancellor Woodson has extensive experience as a member of university faculty and administration, with a reputation for consensus building throughout his 30-year career in higher education. He came to NC State from Purdue University, where he most recently served as executive vice president for academic affairs. Woodson is an internationally renowned plant molecular biologist specializing in reproductive processes in agricultural crops. He earned his undergraduate degree in horticulture from the University of Arkansas and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in plant physiology from Cornell University.
Session Abstract
Session Synopsis: This panel promises an exciting discussion around the interplay between universities and entrepreneurship, the creation of intellectual property and building biotech. Different leaders across academia, venture capital, and companies will join this discussion of how to connect university activities and researchers with the emerging biotech sector for successful business development that can catapult the Research Triangle beyond Silicon Valley.
