Driving Innovation Forward: Yves Theriault Assumes Role at QI Startup Incubator
Yves Theriault, Ph.D., has made an impact in education and outreach for the Nano3 nanofabrication and characterization facility at UC San Diego Qualcomm Institute (QI). Now, his purview has expanded to include the QI Innovation Space, a start-up incubator at QI.
“Yves is a man of many talents,” said QI Director Ramesh Rao, “and I am delighted he will be applying them to the QI Innovation Space, which is a hidden gem within the UC San Diego entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
The Qualcomm Institute Innovation Space, located in Atkinson Hall, provides a unique environment where startup ventures and industry partners come together to accelerate technology creation and commercialization. Since it opened its doors in 2015, the QI Innovation Space has served as a launching pad for dozens of emerging companies and nonprofits in the fields of educational technology, data science, biotechnology, biomedical technology, virtual and augmented reality, nanotechnology, and more.
“I hope to raise the profile of the QI Innovation Space, bring people in, and increase support for the entrepreneurs already in the QI incubator,” Theriault said. “I also aim to continue to foster an innovation mindset among UC San Diego’s students and postdocs.”
Theriault will develop and provide innovation and entrepreneurship curricula targeting UC San Diego’s undergraduates, graduate students and postdocs seeking professional development. He recently worked with 16 engineering students in collaboration with the UC San Diego Engineering Innovator and Entrepreneur Club (and its president Greeshma Doppalapudi) during a six-week workshop, “Introduction to Innovation and Entrepreneurship.” Feedback from students was enthusiastic.
Starting in the summer of 2026, in collaboration with UC San Diego Extended studies, Theriault will lead another professional development course, “Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Everyone.”
A former entrepreneur himself, Theriault has demonstrated his aptitude for mentorship, innovation and entrepreneurship during his five-year tenure at QI as Program Manager for Education and Outreach focusing on nanotechnology. In this position he conducted educational programs with students, as well as community college and K-12 teachers to introduce nanotechnology and develop the next generation of scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs. He also managed microelectronics and nanomanufacturing training programs for community college students aiming at filling the gap in the US semiconductor workforce.
Recently, Theriault organized the 2025 NNCI summer undergraduate research convocation for the National Science Foundation-funded National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI). His accomplishments also include mentoring four UC San Diego teams in the NNCI Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship Challenge — three of which were awarded first prize (in 2022, 2023, 2024) and another that placed in the top three in 2025. He has also mentored several MedTech and Biotech Companies through a collaboration with the Institute for the Global Entrepreneur.
Theriault has also been teaching Drug Development, Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Project Management as well as Systems Engineering with UCSD Extended Studies since 2008 and has helped over 1,200 professionals from industry and academia to improve the performance of their R&D programs.
Theriault holds a doctorate degree in chemistry from University of Montreal. He earned a Certificate in Project Management and a Certificate in Systems Engineering from UC San Diego and also holds a Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute.
Theriault welcomes inquiries and can be reached at ytheriault@ucsd.edu.