Ramy A. RAHIMI, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor for Research and Innovation and NASA Langley Academic Partnerships Liaison in Hampton, VA
About Me
Research, technology development, innovation, and commercialization executive with more than 20 years of experience advancing research, innovation, and strategic initiatives at the intersection of aerospace, defense, deep technology, entrepreneurship, and higher education across government, academia, industry, and nonprofit organizations.
I currently serve as Senior Advisor for Research and Innovation and Academic Partnerships Liaison at NASA Langley Research Center, where I advise senior leadership on research strategy, innovation, and external engagement. I lead the Center’s academic partnership strategy while strengthening collaboration with universities, industry, startups, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations to accelerate research, technology development, commercialization, workforce development, and mission impact.
My work focuses on advancing mission-aligned research and innovation through strategic partnerships, technology transfer, SBIR/STTR engagement, innovation ecosystem development, and cross-sector collaboration. I work closely with university leaders, faculty, researchers, entrepreneurs, and government partners to expand collaborative research, translate discoveries into real-world impact, and strengthen the nation’s innovation ecosystem.
Previously, I served as Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where I led university-wide initiatives in innovation, venture creation, technology commercialization, industry engagement, and experiential learning. I also served as Visiting Faculty at the Defense Acquisition University, contributing to innovation and acquisition education for the U.S. Department of Defense.
As a Fulbright Specialist in Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Technology Commercialization, I collaborate with universities and governments worldwide to strengthen research capacity, innovation ecosystems, technology commercialization, and economic development.
My experience also includes founding and scaling startups, advising early-stage ventures on commercialization and funding strategies, mentoring entrepreneurs and innovators, and building collaborative ecosystems that accelerate the translation of research into societal and economic impact.
I am passionate about building world-class research and innovation enterprises that connect universities, government, industry, investors, and entrepreneurs to accelerate discovery, commercialization, and lasting societal impact.