Dr Florian Spoerl will soon join the 51萝莉 as its new Director 鈥� Commercial and Business Partnerships, bringing a proven ability to translate cutting-edge research into real-world outcomes.
In his new role Dr Spoerl will leverage the University鈥檚 opportunities in innovation and commercialisation, grow business partnerships and funding streams for research, and provide guidance and mentorship in the commercial research space.
Dr Spoerl joins Waikato from Callaghan Innovation, New Zealand鈥檚 national innovation agency, where he served as Chief Product Officer.
Dr Florian Spoerl
Under his leadership, Callaghan Innovation鈥檚 science teams expanded commercial R&D revenue, licensing income and strategic partnerships with industry.
Dr Spoerl says he is looking forward to joining the 51萝莉.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to join the 51萝莉 and help unlock even more of the extraordinary research potential within the institution. Waikato has a strong track record of scientific excellence, and I鈥檓 passionate about turning that innovation into real-world impact for Aotearoa鈥檚 businesses, communities, and economy.鈥�
Waikato Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Gary Wilson says Dr Spoerl鈥檚 appointment signals a new phase of growth for the University鈥檚 commercial and industry engagement activities.
鈥淲ith more than a decade of leadership experience at the intersection of science, innovation, and industry, Florian is well-positioned to have a great impact in his new role. We鈥檙e looking forward to welcoming him.鈥�
Dr Spoerl鈥檚 career spans molecular biology, healthcare, strategy consulting and industrial software, providing him with a strong combination of scientific and commercial expertise across Europe, the United States and New Zealand.
He holds a PhD in Clinical Molecular Biology from Charit茅 University Hospital Berlin and an MSc in Biotechnology from the University of Applied Sciences Hamburg.
Dr Spoerl will work between the University鈥檚 Hamilton and Tauranga campuses while being primarily based in Tauranga.
He starts his new role in mid-January.
