Partnerships

Dr. David S. Weir is the Director of the Office of the Economic Innovation & Partnership at the University of Delaware.

With a Ph.D. and Post Doctoral experience in chemical physics he lectured at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland before joining the DuPont Company in Wilmington, Delaware. During a 35 year career with DuPont, Dr. Weir held leadership positions in the business and scientific arenas and participated in the discovery, development and marketing of major DuPont product innovation in the polymer, fiber and agriculture business segments. As Vice President for Global Research and Development, he played a key leadership role in developing DuPont's worldwide capability in agriculture and plant science, with special emphasis on biotechnology and plant genetics. In this capacity, he traveled widely and discussed the role of modern biology in agriculture and sustainable development with business and political leaders in the developing world.

On retiring from DuPont, Dr. Weir was appointed a Director of Grupo Vicunha, a Brazilian conglomerate, with the particular role of helping the group develop improved business and management processes.

In 1998, Dr. Weir was appointed to the staff of the University of Delaware and became founding Director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, a partnership involving State Government, State academic and medical institutions and the private sector. He is a member of the Delaware Science & Technology Council and Chair of the Council's Executive Committee.

In July 2008 Dr. Weir was asked to lead a new initiative at the University, which will enable UD to be widely recognized as a partner of choice through major contributions to economic, and community development in the State and region.