Barron named Prince of Wales Visiting Innovator

BY MIKE WILLIAMS
Rice News staff

Rice Professor Andrew Barron has been appointed the first Prince of Wales Visiting Innovator and will bring his expertise in materials science to an ever-strengthening collaboration between Rice University and its counterparts in the United Kingdom.

	PAUL BURNS PHOTOGRAPHY
	Rice’s Andrew Barron (left) speaks with Prince Charles during the ceremony to introduce the Prince of Wales Innovation Scholarships in London. Barron will serve as the first Prince of Wales Visiting Innovator.

Barron, the Charles W. Duncan Jr.-Welch Professor of Chemistry and professor of materials science, was named to the position May 13 by Prince Charles at a ceremony to launch an associated program, the Prince of Wales Innovation Scholarships, which will bring doctoral candidates from around the world to work on research projects within Welsh companies.

“I’ll spend a period of time at a host university but meet with other universities, institutions, incubator sites and industry, and try to bring my experience and skills to their local problems,” said Barron, who attended the announcement at the Prince of Wales’ official London residence, Clarence House.

Barron said that as the first of many visiting innovators expected to be named over the next five years, he’ll help determine the program’s parameters. “Part of what I’m going to do is help them work out what this program should be,” said Barron, who is of Welsh and Scottish descent. “This summer, I’ll spend time with the University of Wales and Cardiff, Bangor and Swansea universities, helping them figure out what works and what doesn’t.”

The Barron Research Group’s recent work at Rice has encompassed research into solar cells, treatment of neuroblastoma tumors in children and other applications making use of materials designed from the molecule up. Barron has worked with the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and was instrumental in founding the Texas-United Kingdom Research Collaborative in 2002.

In fact, Barron traced the invitation to be the first Prince of Wales Innovation recipient to his previous work with Swansea University through the collaborative and Rice Alliance. He has been helping Swansea set up programs for entrepreneurship. 

The associated Innovation Scholarships will provide 100 three-year scholarships for doctoral candidates through 2012, with recipients taking positions in Welsh industries with academic oversight provided by Welsh universities. The aim is to improve business access to research and development to generate products, processes, patents and services.

The University of Wales will award Barron and other visiting innovators a Visiting Professorship of Innovation to become part of the wider Global Academy established by the university. Over time, the university expects to form a worldwide, sustainable network of experts to promote and support the Welsh economy.