Erin Drewke Joins Technology Ventures as Venture Development Program Manager

Technology Ventures welcomes Erin Drewke as the new venture development program manager, where she will support the creation and growth of startup companies built on innovations developed at the U of A.

In this role, Drewke will lead campus implementation of the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps (I‑Corps) program, guiding entrepreneurial teams as they evaluate commercial potential, validate markets and pursue national I‑Corps opportunities. She will also collaborate with innovators, mentors and regional partners to advance projects that may form the basis of new startup ventures.

Drewke recently completed her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at the U of A, where her research focused on developing a non‑contact optical diagnostic system for rapid infection detection. She coordinated clinical data collection with physicians, managed interdisciplinary research teams and ensured regulatory and biosafety compliance within the laboratory. Her doctoral work resulted in peer‑reviewed publications and a U.S. patent application for an optical sensing platform.

She brings additional experience in commercialization and federal funding through her work with startup companies, where she contributed to Small Business Innovation Research proposal development, technical volumes, budgeting and commercialization strategy. She also previously participated in the I‑Corps program, conducting stakeholder interviews to validate use cases for an optical diagnostic platform in clinical and veterinary settings.

In addition to her research and venture development expertise, Drewke has an extensive background in teaching and mentorship. She served as a lab instructor in biomedical engineering, developed training modules for high school STEM students and led instructional activities for the Engineering Summer Academy. She is also certified as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).

"Erin brings a unique combination of research excellence, entrepreneurial experience and a deep understanding of the University of Arkansas innovation ecosystem," said David Hinton, associate vice chancellor for research and innovation and executive director of Technology Ventures. "We are thrilled to welcome her to Technology Ventures, where her leadership in startup development and innovation programming will strengthen our mission to translate university discoveries into impact."

"I'm excited to work in a role where I can help faculty, students and community members realize how far their research and ideas can go. By connecting them with the right opportunities, programs and support, we can help move those ideas forward and create impact both at the U of A and across Arkansas," Drewke said.

Drewke also holds a graduate certificate in entrepreneurship from the U of A, as well as a B.A. in biomedical engineering with a minor in mathematics from the University of Central Oklahoma.