Raghavan to drive Vanderbilt 'vision as catalyst + incubator of innovation'

By Milt Capps
Published Friday, June 27, 2025 8:25 am

Raghavan to drive Vanderbilt 'vision as catalyst + incubator of innovation' | Daniel Diermeier, Padma Raghavan, Cybele Raver, Vanderbilt University, The Wondry, innovation, commercialization, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, collaboration, Greater Nashville Private Capital Association, Nashville Innovation Alliance, Ancora Innovation, Pathfinder, US Army, military, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, AI, artificial intelligence, exosuits, intellectual property, Neumora Therapeutics, Liz Zechmeister, Richard Willis, Bob Webster, Tennessee Technology Development Corporation, TTDC, Launch Tennessee, LaunchTN, Institute of National Security,

Padma Raghavan PhD

VANDERBILT University Chancellor Daniel Diermeier plans July 1 to make current Vice Provost for Research and Innovation Padma Raghavan his office's first executive director for science and technology strategy.

In that role, Raghavan is expected to leverage "her remarkable expertise to drive Vanderbilt's vision as a catalyst and incubator of innovation," according to a university statement posted June 25.

Vanderbilt simultaneously announced it is "launching an international search for a new vice provost for research and chief research officer."

In this week's statement, Diermeier pointed to Raghavan's recent role as overseer of "dramatic advancements and expansion of the university's research and innovation portfolio, ranging from technology transfer and commercialization across Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center to the development of long-term strategic partnerships spanning higher education, government and the private sector."

Cybele Raver

In the same release, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver observed, "Padma has transformed Vanderbilt's research enterprise--driving major federal partnerships, accelerating technology transfer and forging vital collaborations across disciplines and sectors.

"In this new role, her deep expertise will continue to guide our most ambitious efforts in science and technology, positioning Vanderbilt for even greater national and global impact," Raver added.

This week's statement also explained [link added]: "Building on her track record of high-impact strategic growth, Raghavan will set the vision and develop and model the science and technology strategy for energy innovation, defense and national security, health technology, and the Nashville and Tennessee innovation ecosystems. She will also continue to develop collaborations with existing partners such as Oak Ridge National Lab and represent Vanderbilt in national and global leadership roles, including as the chancellor's designee for the Council on Competitiveness."

This week's announcement came close on the heels of VU's June 18 announcement that the Vanderbilt Board of Trust had reappointed Provost Raver to continue in her role through 2031. Diermeier's tenure was recently extended by the Board through 2035.

VNC notes that Raghavan has recently played a supportive role in the Vanderbilt-Metro Nashville partnership dubbed the Nashville Innovation Alliance, among other initiatives.

Raghavan is also one of three Vanderbilt executives who are currently members of the board of directors of the Greater Nashville Private Capital Association, a trade association initiated in autumn 2023 with seed-backing by Vanderbilt.

It also bears noting that Raghavan's new mandate arrives as Vanderbilt advances new VU campuses in West Palm Beach, Fla., and in New York City.

Among "key partnerships" cited in this week's VU statement as having been advanced during Raghavan's service as vice provost [links added by VNC]:

  • Ancora Innovation, an alliance with pharmaceutical giant Deerfield Management established in 2018 to accelerate the development and delivery of life-changing therapeutics ranging from treatments for opioid use disorders to epilepsy.
  • Pathfinder, a partnership with the U.S. Army, launched in 2021 to rapidly develop mission-critical solutions, including an exosuit to prevent back injuries and an AI-powered system for secure communications. [Related]
  • A new collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Air Force Research Laboratory began in 2024 that leverages the College of Connected Computing and Vanderbilt's Institute for Software Integrated Systems to develop dependable AI for security applications.

VNC notes that during the span of Raghavan's service, the potential value of Vanderbilt intellectual property was also reinforced by VU's licensing of IP to Neumora Therapeutics, as reported here.

At least during the course of the new leadership search, Raghavan's current responsibilities as vice provost are to be shifted to Liz Zechmeister; Richard Willis; and, Bob Webster. Webster is a cofounder of 9-year-old Virtuoso Surgical, in which a Vanderbilt University fund and Tennessee Technology Development Corporation dba Launch Tennessee have been among stakeholders. Related reporting here.

The university's full statement on Raghavan's impending appointment is posted here. Raghavan's VU bio is here. Her 2023 c.v. is here. VNC coverage of Raghavan here.

Related: VNC post on movement of The Wond'ry innovation center. A story on US Army Pathfinder-VU work here. Also: VU Institute of National Security and annual Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats. VNC

last edited 1134 27 June 2025