Robert W. Conn

Professor Emeritus, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Semiconductors and components, energy systems, specialized materials

Conn is a leading authority on innovation in America and on the role of universities in ensuring America's future economic prosperity through emerging technology. As a managing director with Enterprise Partners Venture Capital, he leads investments in areas such as semiconductors, energy systems, and specialized materials; and serves on the board of directors of several Enterprise Partners portfolio companies. Conn remains actively engaged with UCSD, and serves as an advisory board for the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology.

Capsule Bio:
Robert W. Conn joined the UCSD Jacobs School of Engineering in 1994 and served as Dean of the School until July 2002. Conn strategically led the Jacobs School through an unprecedented period of growth, establishing major research centers in fields ranging from wireless communications, networking and information technology to materials and bioengineering. Conn is currently a managing director with the partnership of Enterprise Partners Venture Capital. Prior to joining UCSD, Conn served as professor of engineering and applied sciences and founding director of the Institute of Plasma and Fusion Research at the University of California, Los Angeles. He co-founded Plasma & Materials Technologies in 1986. From 1970 to 1979 he served on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin, where he held the Romnes Faculty Professorial Chair. Conn received a Ph.D. in engineering science in 1968 from the California Institute of Technology. Among his many distinctions, Conn is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.