David Hinton has been promoted to associate vice chancellor in the Division of Research and Innovation. He has served as executive director of the University of Arkansas Technology Ventures since 2023 and leads the strategic planning and execution of the university's technology transfer and commercialization activities.

"David Hinton is an ideal leader for Technology Ventures because he's a champion for faculty innovation while extremely knowledgeable about IP and its development," said Margaret Sova McCabe, vice chancellor for research and innovation. "His leadership is crucial to commercializing the university's innovations, supporting our researchers and collaborating with industry to bring positive impact to our state and nation."

Hinton was instrumental in helping the U of A become the newest participating member of the Mid-South I-Corps Hub and in expanding the university's economic development efforts through a $1.8 million grant from the Arkansas Research Alliance.

 "The University of Arkansas is driving innovation that reaches far beyond our campus and directly benefits communities across the state," Hinton said. "By consistently demonstrating impact through advancing technology transfer and commercialization at historic levels, we are fueling new opportunities for entrepreneurs, developing stronger partnerships with industry and ensuring that research developed here improves lives everywhere. This momentum reflects not only the talent of our faculty, students and Technology Ventures team but also the growing role of the university as a catalyst for statewide progress."

Under Hinton's leadership, Tech Ventures, housed in the Division of Research and Innovation, is performing at historic levels. Between fiscal years 2023 and 2025, the average number of intellectual property disclosures increased by 62% compared to the office's historical average, the average number of new innovations that are licensed increased by 41% and the average gross licensing revenue increased by 142%. The average number of unique innovators that Technology Ventures has served also increased by 80% during this time compared to the office's historical average.

Among his many honors, Hinton was named to the 2024 Arkansas Business 40 Under 40 class and the 2024 "Ones to Watch" class by Citiscapes. He also was named an Honorary Member of the National Academy of Inventors.

He holds a doctorate in neurobiology from the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, where he focused on pharmacology, neuroscience and personalized medicine. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of South Alabama. He is certified as a Registered Technology Transfer Professional by the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals.