David Lawson

David Lawson has over 25 years of R&D experience at Procter & Gamble in multiple disciplines and across categories, with experience in both internal development and partnering externally to accelerate innovation. He started with Procter & Gamble in Germany in regulatory affairs for food and beverage products in Europe before managing the product development activities for the Pringles snack food business. He then transferred to Procter & Gamble’s headquarters in Cincinnati, USA where he was responsible for developing research collaborations between P&G and other companies. He expanded his focus on external collaborations and opportunities with stints in Connect + Develop identifying new technologies and collaboration opportunities for P&G’s Health Care and Corporate R&D, as well as his work as Open Innovation Manager for all P&G’s R&D activities in Silicon Valley seeking collaborations and innovations is as diverse areas as renewable materials, life sciences, smart products and advanced materials among others.

David received his BSc. in Zoology from the University of Glasgow in Scotland and a MSc, in Tropical Medicine from Salford University, England and his PhD in Molecular Biology from the Max-Planck Institute in Tuebingen, Germany.. He retired from P&G in 2018 and is now active within the innovation community in Delaware working with both the University of Delaware’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment and as adjunct associate professor at the Horn Entrepreneurship program to share past experiences and mentor start-up companies.