Research Translation and Entrepreneurship

The Office of Research Translation and Entrepreneurship (RTE) plays a pivotal role in advancing  NYUAD’s academic and research mission. The RTE office ensures  NYUAD’s valuable academic outputs and research findings are contributing to the knowledge-economy and the overall societal benefit/s of Abu Dhabi, UAE and beyond. Reporting to the Provost, the RTE office works closely with NYUAD’s academic and research community to identify, protect and manage research discoveries.  Liaise and capitalize on innovation resources and capabilities of NYU and NYU Global Network to navigate and accelerate commercialization of research discoveries. An integral role of the RTE office is to work with NYUAD’s community, stakeholders, and entrepreneurs developing entrepreneurship programs and activities that can successfully result in creating research-driven startups.   

Sami has over 20 years of experience in invention evaluation, research translation, and new technology deployment, both in industry and academia. Sami most recently served as a Director of the Technology Management & Innovation Office at Khalifa University of Science & Technology. During this period he also served as an Interim CEO of the Khalifa Innovation Center. 

Previously, Sami worked as the Director of the Technology Transfer Office in Masdar Institute of Technology (now Khalifa University of Science and Technology), where he was responsible for building technology transfer platforms and overseeing the commercialization of the IP portfolio. Prior to this, Sami worked as a Manager & Assistant Chief Licensing Officer in the Technology Transfer Office at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

Sami has authored different papers and publications in the field of university technology transfer, research commercialization, university-industry partnership, and building successful university entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems through nurturing of startups. His most recent publication is a chapter in a book titled “Higher Education in the Arab World – Building a Culture of Innovation & Entrepreneurship,” published by Springer Nature.

Sami holds a PhD in Materials Chemistry and MSc in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Central Lancashire, as well as a Master of Law (LLM) in Technology and Intellectual Property from the University of Liverpool.