Mercier named managing director of Office of Technology Management

Mercier
Mercier

Nichole Mercier has been appointed managing director of the Office of Technology Management (OTM) at Washington University in St. Louis. Mercier has served as the OTM’s interim director since March 2015. The appointment is effective May 1, according to Dedric Carter, who recently was named vice chancellor for operations and technology transfer, effective July 1.

“Nichole’s leadership in OTM, along with her experience in technology transfer, made her the ideal candidate for this position,” Carter said. “I’m looking forward to watching her excel in this new role, while helping to make OTM a valuable resource for our Washington University faculty, students and staff, as well as our institutional and industry partners.”

“I am thrilled to be appointed as the OTM’s new managing director,” Mercier said. “The OTM is an integral part of the university’s efforts in innovation and entrepreneurship, and I look forward to leading our office’s continued growth in this area.”

Mercier has been with OTM since 2005. Originally, she served as a member of the department’s licensing team and oversaw the development of educational programming through OTM. She was promoted to associate director in summer  2014 and had been serving as interim director since March 2015.

In her new role, Mercier will continue integrating the OTM into the university and local communities as an important component of the school’s innovation and entrepreneurship team. She will focus on increasing the office’s connections to stakeholders so Washington University’s intellectual property can be protected and matched with successful commercial partners.

“In the last few years, we’ve seen a wonderful renaissance of energy in innovation and entrepreneurship at the university,” Carter said. “The OTM is integral to managing that energy for the benefit of the Washington University community and the betterment of society. Nichole is well-positioned to lead our work in this space. I am pleased to have her as a leader in my new team.”

Mercier, a Boston native, earned her doctorate in cell biology from the University of Massachusetts. She has been a leader in the Women in Innovation and Technology Program at Washington University, and she has been a presenter at the Association of University Technology Managers on topics involving women in technology.

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