TJ Augustine

In his previous role as vice chancellor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, TJ Augustine oversaw information technology, distance and adult education programs, corporate partnerships, and technology commercialization. Previously, Augustine served as associate vice president for economic development and innovation for the University of Illinois System, where he was responsible for identifying public-private partnerships and creating programs to foster innovation.

Before coming to the university, Augustine served as technology-to-market advisor and acting deputy director for commercialization at the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E). While at ARPA-E, he helped craft the agency’s commercialization strategy, particularly focusing on programs targeting the biological production of fuels.

Augustine also served as special assistant to Energy Secretaries Steven Chu and Ernest Moniz. His portfolio included energy technology development, environmental management, and national security. Before ARPA-E, he worked as an OSA/SPIE/AAAS science and technology fellow in the office of Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL).

Augustine earned a BS in chemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and earned a master’s degree in public policy and a PhD in chemistry at Stanford University.