MADISON—WiSys has hired Adhira Sunkara as manager of innovative ventures to boost startup activities across the University of Wisconsin System.

In the newly-created role, Sunkara will leverage WiSys technologies, resources, connections and experience to support UW System faculty, staff, student and alumni entrepreneurs.

“With experience as an entrepreneur and as a scientist and engineer, Sunkara has an understanding of what it takes to build new businesses from university innovations,” said WiSys President Arjun Sanga. “We’re excited to add Adhira to our team.”

Sunkara has guided the commercialization of six laboratory inventions ranging from FDA-regulated surgical tools to consumer products. She has worked with multiple early-stage startups to perform commercial assessments, generate business plans and pitch to investors.

Sunkara has a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis and was, most recently, the chief technology officer for 10 Newtons, Inc., a Madison-based startup.

The hiring boosts WiSys’ growing commitment to entrepreneurship in UW System communities.

“WiSys and the UW System fully understand the importance of nurturing and growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and this key hire will add so much value to those efforts," said WiSys Board member Toni Sikes, co-founder and CEO of CODAworx. 

WiSys is a nonprofit organization that works with faculty, staff, students and alumni of the UW System to facilitate cutting-edge research programs, develop and commercialize discoveries and foster a spirit of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking across the state.