Kundahl Picked to Lead COIN

Griffith “Griff” Kundahl

Attorney and business veteran Griffith “Griff” Kundahl has been named executive director of the Center of Innovation for Nanobiotechnology (COIN), a non-profit organization focused on expanding North Carolina’s business base in the use of ultra-small particles.

Kindahl came to COIN after serving as director of global programs at the University of Denver School of Engineering and Computer Science.

He’s been general counsel for the NanoBusiness Alliance, the national trade association for the nanotechnology community, as well as executive chairman of the Colorado Nanotechnology Alliance.

He was also the vice president for Convergence (nano, bio and IT) in the Life Sciences section of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide.

Kundahl holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree from The University of Alabama and a law degree from The University of Denver.

"As executive director of COIN, Griff will direct a talented team, and a broad base of stakeholders focused on stimulating the commercialization of nanobiotechnologies, locally, nationally and internationally," said Roger Cubicciotti, chairman of the COIN board of directors and president of Nanomedica Inc.  

"I am honored to be selected as the new executive director of COIN," Kundahl said. "I look forward to working with the experienced and knowledgeable COIN board and staff as well as the organization’s broad constituent base. We will focus our efforts to hasten commercial development in this field which holds such tremendous potential for improving the human condition via breakthrough innovations in healthcare, energy, agriculture and the environment.”

Kundahl’s appointment comes a week before the globalCOMS (Commercialization of Micro-Nano Systems) conference,  slated for August 28 through 31 in Greensboro. COIN is co-hosting the conference with the Micro and Nanotechnology Commercialization Education Foundation. 

COIN is one of four Centers of Innovation established by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center to promote job creation in promising technology sectors. Others are focused on advanced medical technologies, marine biotechnology and drug discovery.