"The ATMC provides a bridge between the university focus of research and education and the industrial focus of selling products for profit," he said. "As I always tell my students, �Profit is not a four-letter word.'" As dean of the College of Engineering, Curry has helped reshape the college in its educational and research programs.
"This is pretty exciting what we've been doing here, connecting the university to the region," he said of ATMC, which has been operating for more than two years at the Southcoast Research and Technology Park on Martine Street.
He noted that $1.2 billion is invested annually in the University of Massachusetts' five campuses.
"We're part of that," he said of ATMC, which he calls an "incubator" with its main objective to leverage university resources for economic development of the region. But, in parallel, he added, the center utilizes the economic resources of the region to enhance the research and educational missions of the university.
Last July, Curry assumed the ATMC director position. The center is aimed at establishing partnerships among businesses and the university, fostering economic development and enriching educational programs. Currently, ATMC is supporting nine emerging companies, conducting 11 contracts with existing industry and supporting the work of 41 student interns.
Born in Fall River, Curry received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the former Bradford Durfee College of Technology, his master's degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and his doctorate from the University of Rhode Island.
Innovative educational programs aimed at retention and cost effectiveness have been conceived and implemented with external funding under Curry's leadership. He led the strategic planning efforts to establish the ATMC, and has been active at the campus and system levels on various topics central to advancement of the system and the campus.
In 1999, he assumed the position of provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs. During the tenure, the School of Marine Science and Technology and a Portuguese department were established and ATMC was built, staffed and supported.
Curry has authored 46 technical reports and journal articles on various topics in science, engineering and management, and has given 17 presentations at various symposia and conferences. He is listed in "Who's Who" in Science and Engineering and in American Education.
"The ATMC maintains and updates its knowledge of the needs of industry to help influence research and technology development at the university," he said, "Similarly, the ATMC helps translate university research and technology into useful products for industry. This approach requires the ATMC to maintain a foothold in both organizations in carrying out its mission." |
