EAST LANSING, MI — October 20, 2025 — Michigan State University is pleased to announce the hiring of Brian Wright, Ph.D., RTTP, CLP, as the new Executive Director of MSU Technologies (MSUT), following a competitive nationwide search.
Dr. Wright brings over two decades of distinguished experience in technology transfer, innovation advancement, and commercialization, including nearly three years as Associate Director at MSUT. His leadership has been characterized by strategic management of intellectual property, collaborative engagement with faculty and students, and a commitment to building strong relationships that advance MSU’s mission of research commercialization. At MSUT, Dr. Wright has fostered an environment where new ideas thrive, and the university’s impact continues to grow.
Prior to joining MSU, Dr. Wright built a distinguished career at Auburn University’s Innovation Advancement & Commercialization office, where he guided teams, developed successful programs for technology transfer and commercialization, and fostered strong campus-wide engagement with faculty and inventors. His work was marked by strategic planning, process improvements, and a commitment to building collaborative relationships that advanced innovation and brought new technologies to market. Dr. Wright’s reputation for effective mentorship and his active involvement in national technology transfer initiatives further underscore his dedication to the field and his ability to drive organizational success.
Dr. Wright holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with a minor in biochemistry from Cornell University, and a B.ChE. in Chemical Engineering from Auburn University.
“I am delighted to welcome Brian Wright as the new Executive Director of MSU Technologies,” said Charles Hasemann, Associate Vice President for Innovation & Economic Development at the MSU Innovation Center. “Brian’s proven track record and deep commitment to MSU’s mission to create societal and economic impact through the commercialization of faculty innovations set him apart in the search for our new Executive Director. His collaborative spirit and innovative mindset will serve him well as he leads MSUT into its next chapter of growth and excellence.”
As Executive Director, Dr. Wright will lead MSUT in its mission to protect, manage, market, and license technologies derived from MSU’s world-class research. He will play a pivotal role in promoting regional economic development and cultivating entrepreneurial opportunities for faculty and students. Under his direction, MSUT will accelerate the commercialization of MSU’s research, expand partnerships with industry, and continue to advance Michigan State University’s legacy of innovation, public impact, and economic development.
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About the MSU Innovation Center:
The MSU Innovation Center accelerates the impact of faculty research through partnerships, technology transfer, and startup support. Home to Business Connect and MSU Technologies, and working closely with the MSU Research Foundation, we help move MSU innovations from the lab to the marketplace—driving economic growth and solving real-world challenges. We connect faculty with companies for research collaborations, facilitate commercialization, and support faculty entrepreneurs in launching startups. Learn more at innovationcenter.msu.edu