Director of Incubation Services for UF Commercialization

Dr. David Norton, Vice President for Research

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Long as Director of Incubation Services at the University of Florida effective November 7. As such, he will retain his leadership of the UF Sid Martin Biotechnology Institute but also will direct the Innovation Hub at UF. The University of Florida Sid Martin Biotechnology Institute (SMBI) has been recognized as the Global Incubator of the Year for 2017 and as a national leader in biotechnology-based economic development for achievements in the technology commercialization category. The Innovation Hub is a UF and EDA funded project to foster development of innovation across Florida and across campus. The now joined programs assist with early recruitment of experienced leadership, foster relationships with potential investor groups and qualified service partners, and provide laboratory space, animal facilities, fermentation facilities, greenhouses and $2 million of core scientific equipment.

Mr. Long will be responsible for formulating and prioritizing strategic and operational program goals of both facilities to maximize the impact and synergy both programs have together. He is also responsible for overall program management, operations and marketing for these highly visible programs that interfaces daily with external audiences as well as with the program’s private client companies. This position reports to Mr. Jim O’Connell, Assistant Vice President of Commercialization.

He became director of the Sid Martin incubator in 2016. Prior to serving as director, he was a senior lecturer in entrepreneurship at Indiana University. He was also the president and CEO of the Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation, where he directed activities of IU’s business incubator and tech transfer office. He also served as director of Technical Operations at Washington University in St. Louis. Mr. Long has authored several books on incubation and economic development and served as a consultant for startups, tech transfer, and business incubators and accelerators. He has an A.S. degree in medical laboratory technology, a B.S. degree in biology, and an M.S. degree in molecular biology.

Please join me in welcoming Mr. Mark Long to this position here at the University of Florida.