A research and industry partner

Stephen Hartlen joins Dalhousie as Assistant Vice President (Industry Relations) and executive director of the Industry Liaison and Innovation Office. (Danny Abriel Photo)

Firmly demonstrating the university’s commitment to innovation and the economic development of Nova Scotia, Dalhousie announced the appointment of Stephen Hartlen as Assistant Vice President (Industry Relations) and Executive Director of the Industry Liaison and Innovation Office (ILI). This position will enhance Dalhousie’s role in innovation, research commercialization and industry engagement and add to the economic strength of Nova Scotia and Canada.

“The hiring of Stephen Hartlen signals an exciting new era of industry engagement by Dalhousie,” says Martha Crago, Vice President, Research. “We (have) a dynamic and experienced leader in business development to strengthen Dalhousie's connections to the private sector and government and capitalize on the synergies between them. His leadership can increase the quality of such partnerships and create new opportunities for both Dalhousie's researchers and for our industrial partners.” 

Innovacorp

Mr. Hartlen spent the last eight years at Innovacorp, Nova Scotia's crown corporation for the commercialization of early stage research, serving as Vice President (Mentoring) and most recently, Interim President and CEO. ILI and Innovacorp will become close neighbors in Dalhousie’s new Life Sciences Research Institute upon its opening this spring. The combination of the two will provide a substantial boost to the Nova Scotia economy and strengthen university-industry research partnerships.

“I know there is so much incredible research and innovation happening at Dalhousie and I’m thrilled to be joining the team that’s helping bring it to the world and building stronger ties with the private sector,” says Mr. Hartlen. “Dalhousie is an economic driver for the entire region and I’m very pleased to join the efforts of those helping it achieve its full potential.”

Building on Dalhousie’s history of contributions to the development of the province and our country, Mr. Hartlen will interact with the local private sector community to develop research contracts and create student internships with local, national and international industries. In addition to helping grow the $132 million worth of research being carried out by Dalhousie faculty, Mr. Hartlen will work to enrich the learning experience for the future leaders and innovators.

“Through increased relations with industry, we will create an open, easy access route to our research and business development capacity,” says Dr. Crago. “By partnering with industry, Dalhousie makes its wealth of equipment and highly qualified personnel available to help industries meet their needs, thereby contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of not only Nova Scotia, but the rest of Canada.”

Commercializing research

“Stephen Hartlen has been a great contributing member of Innovacorp,” said Jacquelyn Thayer Scott, chair of Innovacorp's board. "We think he is a great addition to the Dalhousie research team, and are pleased we will continue to be able to work with him in this new capacity to expand Nova Scotia's research and innovation impact.”

Dalhousie’s Industry Liaison and Innovation Office commercializes research at the university, manages and facilitates collaborations between companies and university researchers and assists in the creation of spin-off ventures. Innovacorp helps high potential early stage Nova Scotia companies commercialize their technologies and succeed in the global marketplace.

In addition to Innovacorp, Mr. Hartlen has worked with companies including xwave, Infointeractive, MTT, and Keltic Inc. He has served on a number of Nova Scotia Government committees such as the Deputy Minister's Leadership Team on the Economy and Environment and was included in recent consultations for the Savoie and O'Neill reports. He is also an advisory board member for Dalhousie’s Corporate Residency MBA program.