UVA Innovates

About

UVA Innovates was established in September 2024 to help catalyze innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Virginia. UVA Innovates sits within the Office of the Provost and helps coordinate, communicate, and amplify various entrepreneurial initiatives around Grounds and beyond.

Throughout its history, UVA has been a conduit for bringing new discoveries and impactful ventures to the world. From the establishment of the UVA Patent Foundation in 1977 to school-based entrepreneurship centers such as the Batten Institute (est 2001) and the Galant Center (est 2009), UVA has supported the entrepreneurial aspirations of its members. 

With the establishment of UVA Innovates, the University is entering into a new phase of growth and impact. With our Signature Initiatives such as The Foundry, Enterprise Studio, and Commonwealth BioAccelerator, we are providing vital new services to support our innovators and entrepreneurs, be they students, faculty, staff, alumni, or community partners.

Read more about our mission and vision.

Leadership

Advisory Council

  • John Comazzi, Associate Professor of Architecture, Associate Dean of Academics, School of Architecture
  • Jetze J. Tepe, Professor of Chemistry and Director of Drug Discovery, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Christine Mahoney, Professor of Public Policy and Politics, Chief Innovation Officer, Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
  • Lesa Hanlin, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Corporate Relations, School of Continuing Education and Professional Studies
  • Saras Sarasvathy, Paul M. Hammaker Professor in Business Administration, Academic Director of the Batten Institute, Darden School of Business
  • Stephen Baek, Quantitative Foundation Associate Professor of Data Science, School of Data Science
  • Robert (Bob) Pianta, Batten Bicentennial Professor of Early Childhood Education, School of Education and Human Development
  • David Chen, Professor of Practice, Biomedical Engineering, Assistant Dean for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships, School of Engineering and Applied Science
  • George S. Geis, William S. Potter Professor of Law, Law School
  • Nicholas Cummins, Assistant Librarian, Liaison to the Department of Economics and the McIntire School of Commerce, UVA Library
  • Ryan Wright, Professor of Commerce, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Research, McIntire School of Commerce
  • Jeffrey Martens, Professor of Pharmacology, Senior Associate Dean for Research, School of Medicine
  • Virginia LeBaron, Associate Professor of Nursing, Kluge-Schakat Associate Professor of Compassionate Care, School of Nursing
  • Kelly Ard, Assistant Vice President, Corporate and Foundation Relations
  • Megan Barnett, Vice Provost for Pan-University Initiatives
  • Mike Lenox, Tayloe Murphy Professor of Business, Darden School of Business, Special Advisor to the Provost, UVA Innovates
  • Pace Lochte, Assistant Vice President for Economic Development
  • Lori McMahon, Vice-President for Research 

UVA Innovates Action Group 

The UVA Innovates Action Group is made up of over 40 faculty and staff who support our overall entrepreneurial ecosystem at UVA. The Action Groups meets monthly to coordinate on upcoming events and programs, finalize the monthly UVA Innovates newsletter, and to plan future activities. Please email innovates@virginia.edu if you are a UVA employee and wish to be included in the Action Group.