David S. Weir, Ph.D.

Director
Delaware Biotechnology Institute

Delaware Technology Park
15 Innovation Way
Newark, DE 19711

Phone: (302) 831-1818
FAX: (302) 831-4841
E-mail: weir@dbi.udel.edu

Education
Ph.D., Chemical Physics, University of Glasgow, Scotland: 1958
ARCST, Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Scotland: 1955
B.S., Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Scotland: 1955

Research Interests:
Dr. Weir is the director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI) at the University of Delaware.

With a Ph.D. and post doctoral experience in chemical physics he lectured at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland before joining the DuPont Company in Wilmington, Del. During a 35-year career with DuPont, Dr. Weir held leadership positions in the business and scientific arenas and participated in the discovery, development and marketing of major DuPont product innovations in the polymer, fiber and agriculture business segments. As vice president for global research and development, he played a key leadership role in developing DuPont's worldwide capability in agriculture and plant science, with special emphasis on biotechnology and plant genetics. In this capacity, he traveled widely and discussed the role of modern biology in agriculture and sustainable development with business and political leaders in the developing world.

After retiring from DuPont, Dr. Weir was appointed a director of Grupo Vicunha, a Brazilian conglomerate, with the particular role of helping the group develop improved business and management processes.

In 1998, Dr, Weir was appointed to the staff of the University of Delaware as director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, a partnership involving state government, academic institutions – in particular the University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Delaware Technical and Community College – and the private sector.