Dr. Manus Ward

Dr. Manus Ward serves as Associate Vice President of Technologies and Special Projects at
the National Transformation Institute (NTI) at KAUST, where he oversees a dynamic and
expanding portfolio of strategic initiatives that align with KAUST’s mission to drive
innovation and impact at both national and global levels.
His leadership spans several high-profile projects, including the KAUST Coral Restoration
Initiative (KCRI), a flagship program dedicated to advancing marine ecosystem restoration
across the Kingdom, and the KAUST Mobility Project, which focuses on sustainable
transportation solutions and smart mobility systems.
Most recently, Dr. Ward has taken on joint collaboration of Translation Hub, a newly
established platform designed to implement and manage the International Hubs initiative.
This ambitious program aims to create a global network that extends KAUST’s reach,
fosters international collaboration, and attracts strategic partners to accelerate research
translation and commercialization.
Dr. Manus Ward is a seasoned leader with a career spanning academia, biotechnology
research, research funding, and policy development at institutional, national, and
European levels. His professional journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing
scientific innovation and translating research into impactful solutions.
In recent years, Dr. Ward has focused on building strategic research partnerships, driving
the translation of research into commercial products, shaping research policy and strategy,
and contributing to university administration. His expertise bridges the continuum from
basic research to pre-clinical development, and he has consistently demonstrated the
ability to deliver high-quality projects on time and under budget.
Throughout his tenure in academia and industry, Dr. Ward has built and mentored
innovative teams that successfully executed complex projects. At Science Foundation
Ireland and KAUST, he led teams that developed and implemented pioneering funding
programs and established multiple strategic partnerships, reinforcing his reputation as a
catalyst for research excellence and collaboration.
Dr. Ward’s leadership style is defined by resilience, strategic vision, and exceptional
communication skills. His strong networking capabilities have enabled him to cultivate an
extensive network of contacts across academia, industry, and policy sectors, positioning
him as a key connector in global innovation ecosystems.

• KAUST, Director Research Translation and Partnerships, March 2019 – present
• KAUST, Integrative Activities Manager, August 2014 – February 2019
• Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Manager Performance Improvement Division,
April 2013- July 2014
• Science Foundation Ireland, Life Science Program Manager, May 2009 – March 2013
• Lecturer, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), 2005 -2009