Following the conclusion of a 15-month assignment as a Biotechnology Commercialization Specialist at a research center in Guadalajara, Mexico, Brian Walsh will be the newest addition to the WiSys staff as the Regional Associate for northeastern University of Wisconsin regional comprehensive campuses. With a richly diverse background in entrepreneurial and research mentorship, Walsh will be applying his skills in outreach and development efforts at UW-Green Bay, UW Oshkosh, and UW-Stevens Point as well as the additional two-year UW Colleges in the northeast.

“We are excited to welcome Brian to the team. The regional associate program successfully links centralized resources to each institution through on-campus support. Brian’s skillset will be an excellent addition to this program” said Arjun Sanga, WiSys President.

In his previous position at the Center for Research and Assistance in Technology and Design in the State of Jalisco, Walsh was, “embedded in the research department,” where he was elated to “see entrepreneurs and researchers make something that can be commercialized.” As a self-recognized ‘road warrior’ and an entrepreneur of his own accord, it is fitting that Walsh will be traveling around the northeastern part of the state and extending his expertise in business development and research to entrepreneurial hopefuls.

“Brian is an expert in business and technology commercialization, as well as a UW System alumnus," fellow Regional Associate Kristen Ruka said. "He will be an excellent fit as a WiSys Regional Associate, and we are excited to welcome him to this role!”

Walsh received his B.S. in Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and went on to receive his M.B.A in Marketing at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

After applying the skills he obtained in receiving his M.B.A. and spending time in the field of Marketing and Sales, Walsh exercised his entrepreneurial proficiency and co-founded the Waukesha-based nonprofit Waukesha County Green Team, LLC. Through developing and implementing his own business plans, Walsh expanded his innovative dexterity and ingenuity, providing him with a foundation to advise UW System students, faculty, and staff alike in his new position at WiSys.

“I am really looking forward to talking directly with students and researchers about their innovative ideas and helping to demystify the path for bringing promising ideas to market,” Walsh said.

Walsh will be taking the place of Mads Gjefsen, who is parting with WiSys to conduct research in Oslo, Norway. In joining current Regional Associates Kristen Ruka and Tony Hanson, Walsh will help to bolster cultivation and growth of innovation among students, faculty, and staff in Wisconsin. Further, his contributions will help bring forth awareness of WiSys’ mission to northeastern campuses.

About WiSys

WiSys is a 501 (c)(3) supporting organization of the University of Wisconsin System. WiSys supports 11 four-year universities, 13 freshman-sophomore UW College campuses and statewide UW-Extension to identify innovative technologies and bring them to the marketplace.