Vice President for Economic Development
Clemson University
John Ballato is Vice President for Economic Development at Clemson University. Dr Ballato previously served as Clemson University’s Vice President for Research (interim), Associate Vice President for Research and Economic Development and Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees. Through these appointments he represented Clemson on numerous county level economic development organizations and directly participated in the recruitment of many large and small companies across South Carolina. A professor of materials, science and engineering and of electrical and computer engineering, Dr Ballato co-founded and directed for 14 years the Center for Optical Materials, Science and Engineering Technologies (COMSET) a South Carolina Research Center of Economic Excellence. He also served as Academic Director for the Clemson University Restoration Institute (CURI).
He has published 300 archival scientific papers, holds over 25 U.S and foreign patents, has given in excess of 150 keynote, invited lectures, and has co-organized 70 international and national conferences and symposia. He also received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Scientific Research (2014) which is bestowed by the governor of South Carolina on behalf of its citizens and recognises an individual within the state whose achievements and contributions to science in South Carolina merit special recognition”.