Vanderbilt University is strengthening its leadership role in the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program with two major appointments that highlight the university’s growing influence regionally and nationally.
At the 2025 National Innovation Network (NIN) Convening in Washington, D.C., Aug. 10–12, Charleson Bell, director of the Mid-South Hub, was named national chair of the NSF I-Corps National Innovation Network. In a separate development, Krishnendu Roy, Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Dean of Engineering and University Distinguished Professor, has been named principal investigator of the Mid-South Hub.
Together, the appointments underscore Vanderbilt’s expanding leadership within the I-Corps ecosystem, advancing the university’s mission to translate discoveries into solutions that benefit society.
Bell named national chair
Bell’s appointment was announced during the annual NIN Convening, where representatives from all 13 I-Corps Hubs gathered for the first time as a complete network. He opened the meeting with the “NIN Roll Call,” a spirited address that celebrated the people behind the network and emphasized the impact they have made across the country.
“We are America’s innovation corps — a force at the ready to shepherd discoveries into solutions, to foster entrepreneurial mindsets, and to drive prosperity for our nation,” Bell said.
As National Chair, Bell will help guide the NIN’s strategy at a pivotal time, strengthening collaboration across hubs and advancing the commercialization of emerging technologies.
Roy joins as Mid-South Hub principal investigator
Roy will serve as the new principal investigator of the Mid-South Hub. A biomedical engineer recognized internationally for his research in regenerative medicine and immunoengineering, Roy brings extensive experience in building collaborative research networks. His appointment reinforces the hub’s commitment to preparing innovators across Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia to bring discoveries from the lab to the marketplace.
“The Mid-South Hub is a powerful platform for training the next generation of innovators to solve the grand societal and scientific challenges of our time,” Roy said. “Vanderbilt is fortunate to serve as the Lead Institution of the Mid-South I-CORPS Hub. I look forward to building on our momentum and expanding the hub’s reach and impact.”
A growing national presence
Launched in 2023 and led by Vanderbilt, the I-CORPS Mid-South Hub is part of the National Innovation Network (NIN), which now includes 13 hubs spanning the United States. The hub has recently expanded to include the University of Arkansas and supports researchers and students across the region in developing entrepreneurial mindsets and pathways to market for new technologies.
With Bell providing national leadership as NIN chair and Roy guiding the hub as principal investigator, Vanderbilt is positioned at the forefront of I-Corps, shaping both the regional pipeline and the national strategy for entrepreneurial innovation.