Executive Director

Dr. Sanjoy Paul is the Executive Director of Rice Nexus, Rice University’s premier innovation hub that bridges the gap between academia and commercial markets. At Nexus, Dr. Paul oversees programs designed to de-risk, develop, and deploy cutting-edge technologies while fostering partnerships with industry, government, and venture capital to support Rice faculty and student ventures. The hub provides state-of-the-art facilities and mentorship for prototyping, testing, and launching innovative solutions.

With a career spanning leadership roles at Accenture, Wipro, and Bell Labs, Dr. Paul brings deep expertise in advancing scalable technologies in AI, IoT, and XR. His work at Rice aligns with his passion for leveraging innovation to transform industries and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Dr. Paul holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland and an MBA from the Wharton School.

VP of Innovation

Dr. Paul Cherukuri is Rice University’s Vice President for Innovation, leading efforts to translate groundbreaking discoveries into impactful technologies. He oversees initiatives in technology translation, startup creation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship training, while managing Rice’s engagement with the Ion.

A physicist, chemist, and med-tech entrepreneur, Dr. Cherukuri previously served as Executive Director of the Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering, fostering interdisciplinary research and commercialization. With a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Rice under Nobel laureate Richard Smalley, his career spans roles in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and entrepreneurial ventures, driving innovations that bridge science and societal benefit.

Associate VP for Strategy and Investments

Adrian Trömel is the Associate Vice President for Innovation Strategy and Investments at Rice University, where he supports early-stage inventors and entrepreneurs in transforming cutting-edge research into commercial opportunities. He leads strategic planning for Rice’s commercialization initiatives, including overseeing translational research grants and managing a university-affiliated venture fund.

Outside of work, Adrian enjoys spending time with his wife and their two cats, as well as pursuing hobbies like freediving and yoga.

Innovation Manager

Nafisa Istami serves as Innovation Manager at Rice University’s Office of Innovation, where she fosters collaboration across the Rice and Houston innovation ecosystems. In her role, she implements strategic initiatives to enhance Rice’s position as a leader in innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and entrepreneurship. Nafisa also manages programs including the Rice Nexus, the One Small Step Grant, and the One Giant Leap Fund.

A Rice University alumna, Nafisa holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Her time at Rice sparked her passion for entrepreneurship, which continues to inspire her work in innovation today.

Lead Innovation Engineer

Grant Belton is the Lead Innovation Engineer of the Rice Nexus, an innovation hub within Rice University’s Office of Innovation. At the Nexus, Grant supports faculty, students, and the community in transforming early-stage concepts into scalable prototypes ready for commercialization. He oversees the technical operations of the Nexus, including product design and development, and manages state-of-the-art facilities like wet and dry labs and industrial-grade 3D printers.

A hands-on innovator, Grant has led collaborative projects such as the military’s smart helmet and serves as a key resource for inventors and researchers developing hard-tech solutions. Outside of work, he enjoys tinkering on projects and spending time with his partner and their pets.