Omkar Bhave serves as Senior Manager of Industry Relations for the Polsky Center, where he works to develop, enable, and grow strategic partnerships with the private sector. He is also a trusted advisor on strategic projects for the Polsky Center and UChicago leadership.

Omkar has a strong background in business development, technology commercialization, and corporate engagement. Prior to joining the University of Chicago, Omkar managed a significant portion of chemicals revenue for FutureFuel Chemical Company and guided the company to several new business development opportunities. He has worked as a process engineer at Pryor Chemical Company. He has also held research positions at the University of Arkansas where he authored papers in the biotechnology and chemicals space and presented at scientific conferences.

Omkar earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from The University of Arkansas and currently enrolled in the MBA program at Chicago Booth. His hobbies include skiing, hiking, and travelling.