Robert S. MacWright, J.D., Ph.D.
President, Spinner Technologies
Executive Director and CEO, University of Virginia Patent Foundation
In 2000, under the direction of Dr. MacWright, Spinner Technologies was formed to help faculty entrepreneurs. Before joining the University of Virginia Patent Foundation in 1997, as Executive Director and CEO, Dr. MacWright was a biotechnology patent attorney in private practice in New York City. He was an associate attorney in the intellectual property department of the firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, L.L.P., an 1100-lawyer general practice firm most well known for its prowess in mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining Skadden, Arps, Dr. MacWright was employed by the venerable intellectual property firm Kenyon & Kenyon. Dr. MacWright joined the licensing profession in 1985 when he became Assistant Director of the fledgling Rutgers University Office of Corporate and Industrial Research Services. When that office was re-organized in 1987 to form the Office of Corporate Liaison and Technology Transfer (OCLTT), Dr. MacWright was named as Director.
He received his bachelor's degree in biology from Rider College in 1975, and in 1982 he received his Ph.D. in biochemistry jointly from Rutgers University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.