The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has tapped Gene E. Robinson as the new executive director and CEO of the Discovery Partners Institute.
Robinson, who has served as director of the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology since 2012, will take over DPI as The Grainger College of Engineering assumes leadership of the research organization.
The Discovery Partners Institute, in its new chapter, aims to be a hub that connects research, education and entrepreneurship, while further strengthening Illinois’ position as a global center for next-generation technologies, according to a news release. The organization will focus on AI, quantum technologies and the future of computing.
“DPI has a mandate to do something big in AI,” Robinson said in a statement. “When I think of this moment for AI, it seems analogous to the early days of the genomics revolution, which triggered the launch of the (Institute for Genomic Biology). But AI is more like a tsunami, requiring a bold and comprehensive approach to harness its vast potential and ensure that it is used as a force for good across society.”
Rashid Bashir, dean of The Grainger College of Engineering and vice chancellor of Chicago Strategic Partnerships, said Robinson is a distinguished scholar with a track record of advancing interdisciplinary research and building partnerships across academia, industry and government.
“His deep experience and vision align closely with our commitment to innovation, impact and improving the human condition,” Bashir said in a statement. “His commitment to collaboration and to building environments where people and ideas can thrive are values that align strongly with DPI’s mission and culture in Chicago.”
Robinson earned his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. from Cornell University. His appointment is subject to approval by the University of Illinois board of trustees.
