The University of Hawai’i has appointed Denichiro ‘Denny’ Otsuga as director of the Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC) and made permanent Chad Walton’s role as vice president for research and innovation.
Walton was interim VP for research and innovation from July 2025, a quick promotion from associate vice president for research and innovation in May 2025.
Walton also served as interim director of the OIC since the departure of Jim Deane in January. Deane had been director since March 2024, and now offers his expertise through his own consultancy, TechXfer Solutions.
Otsuga was the president and CEO of Kobe University Innovation from October 2021 to October 2022, having earlier served as chief investment officer and executive officer.
Other notable stops in his tech transfer career include vice president of CSU Strata (then Colorado State University Ventures) from June 2012 to July 2015, executive director of the University of Kentucky’s Office of Technology Transfer from October 2011 to June 2012, and founding director of South Dakota State University’s Technology Transfer Office from July 2008 to October 2011.
“What excites me most is the extraordinary opportunity to build on UH’s research strengths and ongoing innovation efforts to expand the translation of new knowledge into practical solutions, new ventures and meaningful partnerships,” says Otsuga. “I look forward to working alongside faculty, students, staff, industry and community partners to strengthen pathways for UH innovations and expand their economic and societal impact for Hawaiʻi and beyond.”
“Denny’s diverse background in science, university tech transfer and venture capital experience will help to serve as a catalyst to turn our laboratory breakthroughs into market-ready solutions,” says Chad Walton. “His understanding of the unique language spoken by researchers and commercial investors will be invaluable in our push to establish a knowledge-based economy for the state, and at the same time, helping to develop solutions that can be used here and around the world.”
