‘A Transformational Appointment’

Sherylle Mills Englander, former founding director of the UC Santa Barbara Office of Technology & Industry Alliances (TIA) is taking on a new role as executive director of strategic initiatives and operations at the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) at UCSB. Her unique insight into research administration and university-industry partnerships, and her deep connections to both the innovation ecosystem on the California Central Coast and to UC-systemwide efforts in innovation and entrepreneurship will be key assets as she provides leadership and strategic vision to CNSI at a critical stage of growth and execution.

“This is a transformational appointment for the Institute,” UCSB materials professor and CNSI co-director Craig Hawker said of Englander. “It allows CNSI to fully realize its vision of deepening its relationships with our industry partners and the regional and state innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems to assure CNSI’s research discoveries make a substantial impact on the challenges we face in today’s world.” 

"I am absolutely thrilled to join CNSI,” Englander said. "Between their successful startup incubator, innovation workshop and makerspace, and its launch of the NSF-funded Quantum Foundry and BioPacific MIP research centers, CNSI is poised to make a a profound impact on innovation. I look forward to being a part of its journey.”

With more than 20 years of technology transfer and innovation experience within the UC system, Englander brings outstanding leadership and expertise in strategic, operational and entrepreneurial activities to CNSI. Her extensive governance experience and policy knowledge will be critical as CNSI continues to lead workforce and industrial development across California. “At TIA, Sherylle’s ability to guide projects from idea to reality transformed UC Santa Barbara’s campus,” said mechanical engineering professor and CNSI codirector Megan Valentine. “Her high-energy approach and passion for collaboration and community engagement will be a tremendous asset to CNSI during a period of explosive growth.”

The California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) is one of four institutes within the systemwide California Institutes for Science and Innovation program (Cal-ISI). Its mission is to create an inclusive, collaborative, closely-integrated and strongly interactive environment that will foster innovation in nanosystems research, educate and train the next generation of diverse leaders in science and engineering, and bring scientific and technological innovation into the economy and society. CNSI houses a comprehensive array of innovation and entrepreneurship programs aimed at the diverse and increasing array of CNSI constituents and stakeholders at the campus, system and state levels. The institute currently manages ~$100M in funding and provides critical campus-wide infrastructure and support to the broad science and engineering community.

CNSI’s world-class nanosystems-related research and state-of-the-art research facilities address critical needs for California, including energy management, water purification, sustainability, quantum science and information, healthcare and robotics. Through an expanding incubator and innovation program, CNSI serves as a center for research breakthroughs and workforce training, providing a competitive edge for UC researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs to create opportunities for discovery while promoting the rapid commercialization of inventions in nanoscience and nanotechnology for the benefit of all Californians.