Interim director to head University of Iowa Research Foundation

IOWA CITY - The interim executive director of the University of Iowa Research Foundation has been selected to direct the organization effective Aug. 1.

Zev Sunleaf has served as interim executive director since last year and has been with the foundation since 2001. A graduate of the UI, Sunleaf was vice president at Caviforce Technologies and Solltech, both in Coralville, before joining the foundation.

The UI Research Foundation is the university's primary means of licensing and commercializing promising research and technologies. The not-for-profit corporation is one of four branches in the Iowa Centers for Enterprise, charged with uniting and leading economic development units at the university.

Sunleaf will supervise the UI's technology transfer office. He will work closely with university faculty and leaders to promote and market UI assets to state, regional and  local business leaders to assure effective support for start-up and new company formation.

Sunleaf reports to the UI vice president for research and economic development.