Katz named intellectual property, economic development VP of URI

The University of Rhode Island has appointed Michael Katz as the new associate vice president for intellectual property and economic development. Katz will oversee the economic development of the URI Division of Research and Economic Development, including patent preparation and prosecution, patent licensing and assisting with the development of new research-based startup companies, the university announced Tuesday. He also will play a role in the URI Research Foundation and provide oversight for the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center and the Polaris Manufacturing Extension Program, both based at URI.