SUMMERVILLE, S.C. -- SCRA is proud to welcome Mr. Cole Dudley as Director of Industry Programs and Dr. Nadim Aziz as Director of South Carolina's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research and Institutional Development Awards (EPSCoR/IDeA) Program.

Within his new role, Mr. Dudley will oversee industry collaboration efforts within the state. Cole has extensive experience working across the entire innovation ecosystem with public, private and academic organizations. Most recently, he consulted on a plan for an innovation district in Southwest Virginia to foster company relocations and technology commercialization. He has commercialized university technologies by founding a successful startup company and a corporate joint venture. As an early-stage venture capitalist, he worked extensively with research institutions and early-stage companies. Cole holds a Master's of Interdisciplinary Engineering from Texas A&M and a Bachelor's in Finance from Iowa State University. He completed Harvard's Marketing Innovative Technologies Program and is a certified merger and acquisition advisor.

Dr. Aziz will direct the SC EPSCoR/IDeA Program, which leverages federal and state support to build research infrastructure; infuse research into education; provide opportunities for diverse groups of institutions, students, faculty, and disciplines in science and technology; and increase collaboration among key stakeholders of the state's science and technology enterprise. Recently retired from Clemson University, Nadim has 13 years of academic leadership experience in roles such as department chair, associate provost for faculty development, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs and interim Graduate School dean. He has conducted research for federal, state and private industry sponsors and has more than 100 research publications and presentations. Dr. Aziz completed his Ph.D. in Engineering Science at the University of Mississippi and is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. In 2013, he was named Engineer of Distinction by his alma mater.

"Both Cole and Nadim bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience to SCRA. We are delighted to welcome them to our team to grow the Innovation Economy and ultimately jobs in South Carolina." Said SCRA Executive Director Bob Quinn.

About SCRA
http://www.scra.org/

Chartered in 1983 by the state of South Carolina, SCRA foster South Carolina's Innovation Economy. SCRA improves the development and growth of South Carolina's innovation ecosystem by supporting entrepreneurs, enabling academic research and commercialization, and connecting industry to innovators.

Startup TechWire 2017 Sponsorships now available visit www.startuptechwire.com/p/sponsorships.html for more info - Reporting on business, Innovation, and education for America's vibrant startup community | David Menzies | 919-274-6862 | Writer and Public Relations Consultant | Editor StartupTechWire.com | [email protected] | www.daviddeanmenzies.com