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Cheryl McMurry is an executive with extensive experience in biotechnology business development, commercialization and recruitment.
Previous Experience: Prior to joining the Biotechnology Center, she managed the North Carolina Community College System's BioNetwork BioBusiness Center at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.
Before moving to Asheville, she spent three years as senior vice president of Emergent Technologies Inc., a venture capital company headquartered in Austin, Texas, and was President of Emergent Technologies, Oklahoma, a partnership fund with investments in five Oklahoma biotechnology companies.
As the director of Technology Development and Marketing, McMurry was instrumental in creating the Oklahoma Technology Commercialization Center, now widely considered a national model for commercialization and capital formation activities.
She coordinated a statewide campaign to change the Oklahoma Constitution to allow public-private partnerships in research, development commercialization activities.
Strengthening Biotechnology Development As director of the Western Office, McMurry works with companies, schools and institutions throughout Western North Carolina to both identify and strengthen their capabilities for biotechnology development. She administers the Advisory Committee for Biotechnology in Western North Carolina, which has determined that native plants and biotechnology are a significant strength and opportunity for the region, and she serves as a direct conduit for Western North Carolina to the Biotechnology Center's funding programs and other resources. McMurry is also the executive director of the Bent Creek Institute which studies the efficacy of Appalachian native plants for improving human health.
A native of Ardmore, Okla., McMurry has a bachelor's degree in education from Auburn University, a master's degree in education from Winthrop College, a master's degree in public administration and a law degree from the University of South Carolina. | 