William J. Brah

William has played an integral role on the University of Massachusetts economic development team, responsible for the emergence of the university as a national leader in research, development, and technology transfer. Since 2000, the University of Massachusetts's income from technology licenses and spin-off companies has increased to place the university among the top 10 in the nation. Research expenditures also have been growing at a rate that significantly exceeds the national average. This growth is a result of a multi-year, multi-faceted effort by the economic development team to expand the University’s role as a Massachusetts innovation engine. During this period, William Brah served as a special assistant to the vice president of economic development in the president’s office, then came to the Boston campus as assistant vice provost for research and created the Venture Development Center, an award-winning life sciences incubator, which he now heads. In the past 18 months, startup companies at the center have raised over $35M in seed financing, the best results in Boston. William began his career at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He earned a master’s degree in business administration and oceanography from the Mays School of Business at Texas A&M University.