Dr. Julia Lane

Julia serves as Assistant Vice President for Science at the University of Chicago, where she spearheads growth strategies across the university’s science, engineering, and innovation sectors. She is instrumental in forging high-impact public-private partnerships, positioning Chicago as a global hub for technological advancement and cutting-edge innovation. She is also part of the leadership team at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronic Park (IQMP), a first-of-its-kind park for quantum scale-up and related quantum and advanced microelectronics research and development.

She works across scientific and technology sectors including quantum engineering, artificial intelligence, biotech, and energy technologies. 

Most recently, she led the development of a multi-state clean hydrogen entrepreneurship strategy for the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2), as part of the U.S. Department of Energy Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs. She was also part of the leadership teams that secured the $250M Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Regional Technology and Innovation Hub designation for Chicago focused on quantum science and engineering. Julia also oversees the Inclusive Innovation in the Sciences Initiative at UChicago, which is committed toensuring South Side residents benefit from the economic opportunities that result from emerging science and technology domains. 

Prior to her current role, Julia was the founding Executive Director of Research Strategy for the UChicago Data Science Institute (DSI), where she was responsible for the strategic management and development of research and technology initiatives and programs. Throughout her career, Julia has been committed to building the representation of women and minorities in STEM-related fields and has developed and scaled programs designed to increase representation in the sciences. She has a BA in International Relations and Comparative Politics from the American University of Paris and an MA in International Relations from the UChicago Committee on International Relations. In 2024, she was named an Emerging Leader at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.