Dr. Myrriah Tomar, director of the Office for Innovation Commercialization

To be named one of Albuquerque Business First’s “40 Under 40” is a career stamp of approval, and Dr. Myrriah Tomar, NMT’s Office of Innovation Commercialization executive director, is honored and delighted to be among those 40 for 2024.

In the May 31 issue, the prominent business journal announced its list of honorees for 2024, calling attention to the young professionals who know what it means “to invest both in their careers and (their) communities.”

As the lead in NMT’s OIC, Dr. Tomar’s job is to promote viable STEM advancements in the business sector and for commercial applications. Her office works to fulfill the NMT mission of advancing entrepreneurship for innovations. Her eye is also on the collaboration between industry and government.

For this role, she has already amassed a wealth of experience. Dr. Tomar came to Tech via the state’s Economic Development Department, with plenty of experience in writing legislation, evaluating businesses and emerging technologies for state grant money, and organizing high-impact tech leaders in and out of the state.

"Being named one of the '40 Under 40' is an incredible honor. It highlights the impactful work of NMT's Office of Innovation Commercialization in advancing STEM innovations and fostering vital partnerships,” said Dr. Tomar. “This recognition inspires me to continue driving economic development and supporting entrepreneurial endeavors that benefit our university, the community, and the state."

Tomar's accolades and accomplishments include being named a Women in Technology honoree by the New Mexico Technology Council and as a "New Mexican to Know" by the Albuquerque Business First Journal. Her involvement in various boards and state committees includes the State Technology Research Collaborative, the NM Angel Investment board, the Audaz Venture Capital board, the New Mexico Biotechnology and Biomedical Association, and an appointment to the Santa Fe Economic Development Advisory Committee. 

Dr. Tomar holds a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School and a B.S. in biochemistry from the University of New Mexico. Following the completion of her PhD, Tomar completed a post-doctoral fellowship at The Ohio State University, served as an Associate Scientist for a startup, and developed an interest in technology commercialization through her work at Rice University in the Office of Technology Transfer. Subsequently, she assumed the role of director in the state’s Economic Development Department, returning to her native New Mexico.