One of the ways Arizona State University is redefining the 21st-century research university is through the work of the university's Knowledge Enterprise Development (KED) team. KED advances research, innovation, strategic partnerships, entrepreneurship, global and economic development at ASU, and provides the support faculty and students need to make their research aspirations a reality.
ASU's interdisciplinary, solutions-focused approach to research was one of the reasons the university earned the distinction of being named the most innovative school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
KED's leaders are focused on changing the paradigm for higher education and creating an institution that will meet the demands of an increasingly knowledge-dependent world.
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Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan, the founding director of the School of Computing and Informatics, has led Knowledge Enterprise Development at ASU since 2011 and was recently named chief research and innovation officer and an executive vice president of the university. In 2014, Panchanathan was appointed by President Barack Obama to the U.S. National Science Board.
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Elizabeth (Betsy) R. Cantwell is the Vice President for Research Development and is responsible for leading the creation, management and capture of large-scale, externally funded programs and projects that advance ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise Development. She also advances support for faculty research development at all stages, while leading ASU’s transdisciplinary research development focus.
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Ji Mi Choi is the associate vice president of strategic partnerships and programs. Choi is able to utilize her expertise in higher education at the intersection of entrepreneurial and public-private partnerships to collaborate with ASU colleagues and external partners towards advancing entrepreneurship and innovation. Previously, Choi served in various roles at Columbia University and NYU.
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Tamara Deuser works as associate vice president of operations and chief of staff. Deuser is responsible for overseeing the operations functions of ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise Development. This includes leadership of the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects Administration as well as the Research Advancement staff that support faculty across campus.
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Stephen Feinson serves as the associate vice president of international development. Feinson is charged with identifying and pursuing large-scale global research and training opportunities for ASU. In this capacity, Feinson oversees a team that is building relationships and exploring opportunities with critical agencies, particularly in the area of international development.
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Todd Hardy is the senior economic development adviser. Hardy leads the economic development unit at SkySong and represents the university in economic development organizations around Arizona. Hardy was the executive director of Digital Knowledge Ventures, the new media entrepreneurial unit of Columbia University, and has served as corporate counsel to a number of Fortunate 500 companies.
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Keith Walton's role at ASU is as the vice president of strategic industry collaborations. Walton leads strategic corporate engagement and is focused on increasing the university’s accessibility to business collaborations. He is responsible for identifying strategic industry opportunities that will increase the university’s economic impact in the state.
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