Syed Barizuddin, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

Columbia, Mo, Us

Columbia, Missouri, Us

As the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Missouri Innovation Center (MIC), I am dedicated to advancing innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth across Missouri. In my role, I lead the strategic and operational aspects of the organization, overseeing statewide initiatives that empower entrepreneurs and drive technological advancement.My work involves the design and implementation of statewide programs that support a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, both locally and regionally. I collaborate with a diverse array of innovators and entrepreneurs in STEM fields, offering mentorship and strategic guidance to help them navigate the complexities of business development, product commercialization, and market entry. By providing targeted support, I help bridge the gap between innovative ideas and sustainable business ventures, fostering a strong pipeline of entrepreneurial talent.I play a key role in managing and strengthening stakeholder relationships with government entities, private sector partners, and academic institutions. I actively contribute to securing federal, state, and private funding to support MIC’s initiatives, ensuring both program sustainability and long-term financial stability. My efforts focus on aligning MIC’s resources with the needs of Missouri’s entrepreneurial community to drive measurable impact.In addition to overseeing MIC’s daily operations, I am responsible for developing and executing forward-thinking programs that support innovation, from early-stage startup incubation to advanced growth initiatives. My goal is to position MIC as a leader in fostering entrepreneurship and creating a robust infrastructure that encourages innovation across Missouri and the region.

Part of the leadership team that evaluates research proposals and takes decisions to provide funding, and training to academic researchers to accelerate the transition of discoveries originating from university research labs into products for the six-state HUB including North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

Proven track record of leading the development of new technologies in infectious disease diagnostics, operational plans, and strategies to deliver continuous process improvement and achieve organizational objectives. Solid history of success in directing research projects from start to finish, developing consistent/realistic plans and control structures for projects, and ensuring successful completion on-time and within budget. Visionary and passionate leader with expertise in training, mentoring, and leading high-performing biomedical R&D team to achieve shared visions and goals. Adept at building culture of operational excellence and driving lean process improvement for all business activities.

Direct overall technical and business operations of company to create and execute cutting-edge and sensitive technologies for government and multinational companies. Secured $3M in federal grants projects from agencies including US Department of Defense (DoD), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the last three years through strategic business planning. Submitted $3M budgeted proposals in the pipeline to secure maximum profitability. ● Assessed and mitigated aqueous film-forming foam in a hydrothermal flame zone reactor coupled with salt separation module during Air Force STTR program phase I/II, valued at $960K and $225K respectively.● Led carbon capture through high-pressure and density-driven separation with $225K total to liquid carbonic from national science foundation phase I SBIR. ● Performed ultra-sensitive detection of Lipoarabinomannan and Interferon-Gamma (IFN-g) as biomarkers for Detection of Tuberculosis (TB), valued at $225K to plasmonic diagnostics during national science foundation phase I SBIR. ● Administered SMART filters to eliminate bioaerosols and VOCs from Indoor Air for Phase I EPA project.● Spearheaded and completed projects worth $2M for US Air Force and National Science Foundation.

Columbia, Mo, Us

Used plasmonic devices and associated instrumentation to conduct in-depth research on ultra-sensitive detection sensors. Delivered training to students on equipment, teaching processes, application, and associated theory. Improved user facility by overseeing Center of Micro-systems and Nanotechnology. Prepared grant proposals for federal agencies by drafting and submitting manuscripts in cross-collaboration with faculties on the MU campus and other universities. ● Managed budgets $1M for Nano-energetics lab at MU facility at Midway and Columbia.● Commercialized the group’s patented technology to generate revenue.

This was a joint position for developing a novel and cost effective diagnostic technology. The responsibilities in this position included working on designing, fabricating and testing, prototyping and creating patentable technologies in the detection of communicable diseases. Special emphasis was placed on using “Time Domain” techniques to replace “Frequency Domain” based systems which are expensive. The cost being an impediment to its mass production or distribution in places like Africa and Asia. The work also involved collaborating with other entities interested in similar research to develop new technologies.

Led and mentored fabrication and characterization facility of Biosensor lab and Nanotechnology lab at the university to streamline research workflow. Oversaw research tasks, including designing and testing devices, analyzing data and fabrication of device prototypes, preparing technical documents, validating prototypes, and obtaining research grants funding from different federal agencies. Evaluated and addressed issues related to invention disclosures, intellectual property, and patents with technology transfer office at university. Supervised PhD, MS, and BS students to overcome difficulties related to the research design and processes. Engaged with different vendors from industry to obtain best suitable and most cost-effective equipment for facility. Established and maintained contacts within the microfabrication and equipment industry and vendors, engineering services companies, and businesses to meet corporate objectives. ● Delivered R&D projects related to impedance, optical, and electrochemical sensors for detection of pathogens and nanotechnology to introduce novel and patentable technologies for commercialization.● Served as PI and Co-PI on several proposals submitted to federal agencies and industry.● Researched and identified business opportunities to commercialize and initiate research into market.

Columbia, Mo, Us

Researched on the effect of using different media and its effect on exocytosis.

Columbia, Mo, Us

Designed, fabricated, characterized and tested many micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) systems. Significant expertise with the clean room equipment, Vacuum systems, etching processes, characterization systems, optical systems and imaging system. Submitted invention disclosures for novel MEMS systems. Mentored and supervised Master’s and undergraduate students. Drafted and edited manuscripts for publications. Assisted professors with writing grant proposals. Prepared presentations, write-up’s and reports. Had meetings with academic and business personnel, to explore business and commercialization opportunities.

Columbia, Mo, Us

Master'S Degree, Electrical Engineering

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Electrical And Computer Engineering