Lamb names new VP for research and economic development

By Jedd Rosche

Published Nov. 13, 2007

As complex as university finances can be, Michael Nichols can wrap up his game plan for the future in a quintessentially American metaphor.

"You can either swing to the fences on every shot, or hit a number of doubles and singles and build up a winning team," Nichols said. "We are focused on creating a winning team approach."

But Nichols is not the new batting coach for the MU Tigers; he's the new UM system vice president for research and economic development, and he starts on Dec. 1.

Interim UM system President Gordon Lamb appointed Nichols on Friday. He replaced John Gardner, who left the VP slot in July for a similar position at Washington State University.

Lamb said Nichols brings "special experience" to the changing research market.

Nichols has been the relations director for the Office of Industrial Research since 2006.

"Mike has taught, led research and he has been a successful entrepreneur, founding and operating technology companies," Lamb said in a news release on Friday. "He has great statewide perspective about building research-inspired businesses from the ground up."

For Nichols, the baseball reference extends into business, research and selling intellectual property.

"I have made it a mission to make deals instead of waiting for a home run," Nichols said.

He said he has two goals for his upcoming term. The first is to continue Gardner's momentum, including giving each campus more power with "technology transfer." The second is to move more intellectual properties to the marketplace by reducing "transactional friction."

Nichols said the state government had taken steps to protect intellectual property and startup companies.

"This is a major step by the legislature and the governor to provide both the stimulus and the protection that is needed by these companies to raise additional funds for commercialization," Nichols said.

Interim Vice Chancellor for Research Robert Hall said he's excited about working with Nichols, who reported to Hall in his previous office, on upcoming projects including the MU Life Science Incubator.

"It was one of the wisest decisions," Hall said. "Mike will do an outstanding job in his new position."

Before working at the Office of Technology Management and Industry Relations, Nichols worked at the MU Office of Industrial Research Relations and was a biological engineering professor. He received his Ph.D. in biomedical sciences physiology from MU in 1992.