Ed Acuna

Ed Acuna is a Clinical Associate Professor at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering and a Robert Packer and Camilla Rab Fellow. He has over 25 years of experience in business development, strategic planning, and cross-cultural communication. Previously, he was a faculty member at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and owned KMA Sales, a manufacturer’s representative firm. His expertise spans entrepreneurship education, medical innovation, and leadership.

Education:

• BS and MS from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• MBA from Northwestern University

Research & Teaching: Acuna focuses on entrepreneurship ecosystems, ethical leadership, and commercialization strategies. He teaches courses such as NUvention: Medical, Entrepreneurial Sales and Marketing, and Principles of Entrepreneurship. His work integrates real-world business challenges with academic rigor.

Awards: Robert Packer and Camilla Rab Fellowship.

Advising & Grants: While no specific grants or student advisees are listed, his teaching portfolio suggests active mentorship in startup development and innovation projects.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, focusing on interdisciplinary initiatives in healthcare and technology commercialization.