Rudyard Sadleir, Ph.D.
Director of Strategic Research Partnerships
Contact
Building & Room:
311E AOB
Address:
1737 W. Polk St., Chicago, IL 60612
Office Phone:
Email:
About
Rudyard joined the University of Illinois Chicago in 2024 as the Director of Strategic Research Partnerships. In this role, he drives the university's research agenda by fostering high-value collaborations with internal and external stakeholders, including deans, department heads and academic leaders, to enhance research and scientific impact. He leads strategic partnership negotiations to align with institutional goals and manages key relationships to maximize research outcomes and funding opportunities. Additionally, Rudyard oversees high-profile research events and advises the Vice Chancellor for Research on strategic priorities while managing a dedicated team focused on partnership development and event execution.
Before joining UIC, Rudyard was an Innovation Manager with Argonne National Laboratory and a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group working with private industry implementing strategies in innovation, competitive intelligence and operational improvement. His range of experience spans AI, climate modeling, finance, biopharmaceuticals, national security, medical technology, industrial goods and more. Previously, he served as a think tank fellow, advising on technology-related policy issues for the Mayor of the City of Chicago.
Rudyard’s scientific career includes a professorship with Saint Xavier University, Research Associate at the Field Museum and postdoctoral experience at Northwestern University. His Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Chicago focused on 3D imaging, biometrics and statistical analysis with publications in leading scientific journals. He received his M.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and a B.Sc. in Environmental Geology from the University of Illinois Chicago.