U. of I. President Timothy L. Killeen has been elected chairman of the board of directors of the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, a statewide association that promotes research and innovation to foster economic growth for the state.
Killeen, a leading researcher in geophysics and space sciences with more than 30 years of experience in public higher education and in leadership positions with national scientific research agencies, succeeds outgoing board chair Douglas Baker, the president of Northern Illinois University.
“The ISTC and the University of Illinois share a mission to create and strengthen dynamic partnerships to drive innovation and economic growth across the state of Illinois,” said Killeen, whose term as chairman began July 1. “I am eager for the opportunity to build on the ISTC’s capabilities and help unite research institutions, industry and civic organizations toward our common goal of making Illinois the absolute go-to place for innovation.”
Since taking office in May, he has championed the university’s power to provide the human capital and innovation that will drive economic revitalization for the state.
He also has promoted the public-private partnerships that are at the core of ISTC’s mission. The nonprofit organization was created to forge collaboration among leading businesses, universities and research laboratories in Illinois, creating partnerships that yield groundbreaking research ideas, attract funding from government and private foundations, and create jobs.
“Dr. Killeen’s three decades of experience as a researcher and administrator at the university and government agency level and his enthusiasm in his new role bring a great energy to the leadership of the ISTC. His mandate at the U. of I. mirrors our core mission to connect research and talent to the marketplace to drive economic growth,” said Mark Harris, ISTC president and CEO.
ISTC members include industry leaders such as AbbVie, ADM, Allstate, Northrop Grumman and Motorola Mobility, along with top research institutions such as the U. of I., Northwestern University and the Argonne National Laboratory.
Along with chairing ISTC’s 10-member board, Killeen also will serve as board chairman of the Illinois Science and Technology Institute, a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the ISTC, focused on the development of Illinois’ talent pipeline in the critical fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
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