Austin, TX
New Associate Vice President to Accelerate Innovation, Research Commercialization and Startups
AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin has appointed Mark Arnold as the new associate vice president for Discovery to Impact, the University’s connection unit between campus innovators and industry.
In this new role, Arnold will enhance the University’s research commercialization efforts; formalize a dedicated technology transfer office to revitalize the University’s intellectual property, licensing, and business development efforts; and launch Texas Startups, a new division within Discovery to Impact that will position UT as a national leader in incubating, accelerating and investing in more undergraduate, graduate and faculty startups.
The appointment underscores President Jay Hartzell’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation across campus, driving impactful collaborations between the University and industry, and cultivating a strong research pipeline centered on life sciences, energy and the environment, and deep tech.
Discovery to Impact has become increasingly vital in a rapidly evolving tech and startup economy, as universities strive to bridge the gap between research and commercialization. The University recognized the need for dynamic leadership to shape and navigate the future of technology transfer and entrepreneurship. Arnold’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment in the unit’s trajectory and as Austin aims to become one of the top hubs for life sciences.
Arnold, who will also serve as the managing director of Texas Startups, has more than 25 years of leadership experience in scaling technology companies from inception through exit, navigating venture investments, and launching innovative business development initiatives.
“By harnessing our collective expertise and passion, we will shape the future of innovation, galvanize our entrepreneurship programs and offerings, and scale the startup pipeline emerging from UT across the nation and around the globe,” Arnold said.
Before joining UT, Arnold was a founder and general partner at The Resilience Fund, an early-stage venture firm focused on the deep-tech landscape. Previously, he was the vice president of corporate development for Forcepoint and was instrumental in the sale of the company to Raytheon Technologies for $1.9 billion in 2015. His early career includes investment roles at Goldman Sachs, Kohlberg & Co. and Cisco Systems, and he holds a B.S. and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.
Anadolu staff
18 May 2026•Update: 18 May 2026
Two suspects were taken into custody and police continued searching for a third suspect on Sunday following a series of shootings in Austin, Texas that injured four people, authorities said.
Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis said the suspects were linked to at least 10 attacks carried out between Saturday and Sunday, adding that one victim sustained serious injuries while three others suffered minor wounds.
Police said the shootings appeared to be random and that no clear motive had been identified. Most incidents occurred in South Austin, including at least two shootings targeting fire stations.
“At this time, the investigation is ongoing, and APD (Austin Police Department) asks that our community remain vigilant,” the department said in a press release.
Authorities lifted a shelter-in-place order that had been issued for parts of South Austin, while a separate order remained in effect Sunday in the nearby Manor area as officers searched for the remaining suspect.
The Austin Fire Department said two of its stations were struck by gunfire in separate incidents late Saturday and Sunday morning, though no firefighters were injured and only minor damage was reported.
Officials urged residents to remain vigilant and asked anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers, a community-based, non-profit program that allows citizens to submit anonymous tips about criminal activity and unsolved cases.
AUSTIN, TX — One person is dead after a vehicle hit a semi-truck and rolled over on US 183 in Northwest Austin early Sunday morning, police said.
Officers responded to the 11200 block of northbound Research Boulevard, near Balcones Woods Drive, at 2:24 a.m.
ALSO | Shelter-in-place lifted after SWAT response in Kyle; suspect taken into custody
The Austin Police Department initially said that one person was taken to the hospital, but later confirmed the person had been pronounced deceased.
The driver of the semi-truck remained at the scene.
All northbound lanes of US 183 near Breaker Lane are shut down. Drivers are advised to expect delays and plan alternate routes.
The Texas Longhorns have continued to take care of business as they attempt to defend their national championship, beginning the NCAA Tournament in commanding fashion.
The Longhorns hit the field for the first game of the Austin Regional on Friday and rolled, taking down Wagner 9-1. And now Texas is into the regional final after a decisive victory on Saturday afternoon.
With a ticket on the line to the regional final the Longhorns would face off against the No. 8-seeded Wisconsin Badgers. And the Longhorns would make quick work of the matchup winning with another run rule game taking down the Badgers 9-0 in six innings.
Texas Gets Off to Quick Start and Doesn’t Look Back
While the Longhorns got through their first game on Friday it was without a bit of struggle having a slow start to begin the ballgame. However, Texas would not have any time struggling to settle into the game against Wisconsin dominating from the first inning.
Texas would get out to an early lead from the jump scoring in the first inning and would not slow down for the rest of the afternoon. The Longhorns would start the game with a three run first inning with junior Viviana Martinez batting in her third run of the Austin Regional.
Getting her bat hot again would be senior Reese Atwood who broke out of a slump of being without a home run for the last seven games. Atwood would break out of the cold streak with a two run blast giving Texas a 3-0 lead they would not look back from.
“It felt good to finally have one leave the yard,” Atwood said. “My confidence comes from my preparation, not my performance or my batting average, so just having confidence that I’m working as hard as I can.”
The Longhorns would score runs in the first three innings of the ballgame putting the contest out of reach before it really had a chance to start. Texas would lead 7-0 from the third inning and would threaten the run rule for the rest of the game.
And the run rule would come into effect in the sixth inning courtesy of a two run home run from junior Kayden Henry. The junior would homer to left field as she ended the game 3-4 from the plate and four RBI.
Just like the Longhorns dominated from inside the batters box they did the same from the circle. Getting her first action of the Austin Regional junior Teagan Kavan would toss five shutout innings allowing just a single hit and struck out eight batters.
The Longhorns now are a game away from hosting a Super Regional on their home field at Red and Charline McCombs Field. While the opponent for Texas in the regional final is still to be determined the game will be on Sunday May 17 at 12:00 p.m. CT.
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