Mark S. Long named new Sid Martin Biotechnology director
The University of Florida Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator recently announced the appointment of its new director, Mark S. Long. An internationally recognized program fostering the growth of startup bioscience companies, the Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator, or SMBI, hired Long to help support its own continued growth.
Long will replace retiring director Patti Breedlove. Previously, he served as a senior lecturer in entrepreneurship at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in the department of management and entrepreneurship. On two occasions, he earned the Indiana University Trustees Teaching Award for outstanding teaching. Long has an M.S. in molecular biology and a B.S. in biology from Florida State University.
He is also the president of Long Performance Advisors, a global consulting company focused on accelerating efforts in business incubation, technology transfer, small business development and economic development with clients in Russia, China, the Caribbean, Malaysia and throughout the U.S. Long also has extensive private sector experience in the biomedical industry having held management positions at Coulter Corp., Baxter Healthcare and Sigma Diagnostics.
From 2002 to 2008, he served as president and CEO of the Indiana University Research and Technology Corp., where he directed the IU Emerging Technologies Center and the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute. Prior to that, Long was director of technology operations for technology transfer at Washington University in St. Louis. He is a co-author of “Wholesale Economic Development” and “Put It in Writing II.”
David L. Day, assistant vice president of Technology Transfer at the University of Florida, says, “Mark has an outstanding reputation and brings a rare combination of insights into entrepreneurship, business incubation, science, and the biotechnology industry itself. He is the perfect choice to lead this internationally recognized program and work with our many partners to enhance the exciting biotech growth we’re seeing locally and across Florida.”
UF’s SMBI companies have attracted more than $1.3B in funding, created more than 2,000 area jobs and brought millions in revenue to city coffers. The recepient of four international and national awards, the Incubator provides space, equipment and support services to foster the growth of young bioscience companies. SMBI also developed and maintains the Florida Biodatabase.
For more information, please contact David L. Day at dlday@ufl.edu or 352-392-8929.