Dr. Nichols joined the research faculty at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1978, leaving nine years later to create a technology-based startup. He returned to the University in 2002 as state director of the Small Business Innovation Research, and, Small Business Technology Transfer Assistance centers (SBIR/STTR). Most recently he directed the Office of Technology Management and Industry Relations at Mizzou.

 

Dr. Nichols holds eight patents, many involving high-tech coatings he developed for health care applications. An entrepreneur, he was the founder and president of one of the first companies to be spun off of University of Missouri research. The firm he currently heads, the Atomic Paint Shop, develops unique coatings with a wide variety of applications.

 

Dr. Nichols received his bachelor's and master's degrees from California Polytechnic State University, and his doctorate in biomedical sciences from the University of Missouri-Columbia. An adjunct associate professor, his research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The editor of two books, he is a member of several professional societies, a journal reviewer, and a consultant.