Michael McQuade Named Vice President for Research

Carnegie Mellon University has named Michael McQuade, former senior vice president for science and technology at United Technologies Corporation (UTC), to be its new vice president for research. The newly created position of vice president for research will report directly to the president and will strengthen and support research, creativity and entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon.

Michael McQuade

"Michael McQuade's depth of experience across industry, government and academia, as well as his familiarity with CMU as a trustee and alumnus, position him well to take on this critical role and build upon our extraordinary momentum as a leading research institution," said Carnegie Mellon President Farnam Jahanian. "With the elevation and expansion of this critical office, we look forward to maximizing the competitiveness of our research enterprise and promoting closer collaboration with industry partners, government agencies and other stakeholders."

McQuade will join CMU's executive management team in January 2019.

During his time at UTC, McQuade provided strategic oversight and guidance for research, engineering and development activities throughout the business units of the corporation and at the United Technologies Research Center. He previously held senior positions with technology development and business leadership at 3M, Imation and Eastman Kodak, with broad experience managing basic technology development and the conversion of early stage research into business growth.

"I am excited to join Carnegie Mellon to lead and support the extraordinary research enterprise of this world-class university," McQuade said. "I look forward to working closely with our faculty, researchers, staff and students to build on the university's strong foundation of success, as evidenced by the many CMU technologies, discoveries and advancements that are revolutionizing industries and making a positive impact on society."

A thought leader in Washington D.C., McQuade currently serves as a founding member of the Defense Innovation Board, an independent federal advisory committee formed in 2016 that advises the Secretary of Defense on how best to advance technological innovation. He also previously served on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology from 2013 through 2017 and on the Secretary of Energy's Advisory Board from 2009 through 2017.

For the past six years, McQuade has served as a CMU trustee, providing strategic guidance to the university as a member of the Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Subcommittee. He is also a triple alumnus of the Mellon College of Science, earning a bachelor's and a master's degree as well as a doctorate degree in physics for research conducted at the Fermi National Accelerator Lab.

The new vice president of research office will advocate for university research through global thought leadership; provide central research administration; support a culture of ethical research and compliance; promote economic development through technology transfer and entrepreneurship; build new and diverse research partnerships with industry, government and nonprofit enterprises; and work with colleagues across campus to support university-wide research initiatives and programs.

The Center for Technology Transfer and Enterprise Creation, the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance, and the Office of Research Systems and Operations will report to McQuade.

"I want to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to Gary Fedder, who has served as vice provost for research since July 2015," Jahanian said. "Gary has provided exceptional leadership over our research office and has significantly expanded CMU's capacity for pursuing and securing larger and more diverse research funding opportunities."

During the last three years, CMU's external research funding has grown, thanks to closer connection with industry and increased activity in entrepreneurship and technology transfer. Fedder also co-led the proposal that established the $250 million Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute, where he serves on the board of directors.

Fedder plans to return full-time to his research career as professor of electrical and computer engineering in the College of Engineering and professor of robotics in the Robotics Institute. He also will continue in his role as co-director of the Manufacturing Futures Initiative at CMU.