City College of New York (CUNY)

John A. Blaho is the CUNY Director for Industrial-Academic Research. He was responsible for significantly increasing industry-sponsored research activities between industrial entities and CUNY research faculty during 2010-12 and is currently working to increase the amount of faculty entrepreneurial activities. Dr. Blaho was trained as a chemical engineer, received his Ph.D. in biochemistry, and was the PI of an academic research lab for over 25 years. Subsequently, he served a CSO function at a biotech company in Princeton, NJ. Since joining CUNY, he has led the creation of two new NSF IUCRC centers at the City College of CUNY and has served as the Industrial Mentor for three CUNY NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) teams. All three subsequently formed NYS companies and are currently supported by non-diluted investment seed funding, including NSF SBIR/STTR grants. Dr. Blaho led the creation of and serves as the Training Director and co-PI of the NYC Regional Innovation NSF I-Corps Node (NYCRIN). Finally, Dr. Blaho is the lead of the CUNY Innovation Hot Spot for the NYC Regional Economic Development Council of Empire State Development.