UD President Daniel J. Curran praised Leland as an excellent strategic leader and collaborator who has been integral to the research institute’s growth.
“His work at all governmental levels and with our corporate partners has advanced the research and economic development priorities for our nation and region,” Curran said in a statement.
As UD’s chief research officer, Leland will be responsible for charting the strategic direction of UDRI, which expects to exceed $97 million in revenues during fiscal year 2015, an 11 percent increase over the previous fiscal year, officials said.
Leland was named UDRI director in 2005 and also has served as associate vice president for research and intellectual property.
With a staff of 450, primarily researchers, UDRI is currently under contract for more than $500 million and supports nearly 250 undergraduate and graduate students. More than 90 faculty members are engaged in sponsored research programs at the university, officials said.
Leland is credited as a key contributor to the GE Aviation EPISCenter project, developing the initial relationships with GE and acquiring the $7.6 million in state support that helped establish the corporate research and development center on UD’s campus.
Leland previously served as a congressional science fellow in the office of former U.S. Rep. Tony Hall, D-Ohio, and also spent 16 years as a researcher at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
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