Laura B. Cardinal

Laura B. Cardinal is a Professor and SmartState Endowed Chair/Director of the SmartState Center for Innovation + Commercialization at the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina. She holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Studies from the University of Texas-Austin, with NSF grant experience. Her expertise spans innovation management, R&D strategy, organizational control systems, and startup evolution, having previously taught at University of Houston, Tulane University, UNC Chapel Hill, Duke, and Southern Methodist University.

Her research focuses on innovation implementation strategies, organizational control mechanisms in R&D teams, and product commercialization. She teaches graduate courses like Strategic Management of Technology (MGMT 733) and Strategic Innovation Planning (MGMT 776), emphasizing fusion of strategy, science, and technology. She directs the Strategic Innovation Certificate program designed for STEM students and working professionals.

Cardinal sits on editorial boards of key journals including Academy of Management Journal and Strategic Management Journal. She chairs South Carolina's SmartState Program governance and collaborates with 51 SmartState Centers statewide. Her work integrates academic research with industry partnerships, such as developing ammonia catalyst technologies and urban air mobility solutions through interdisciplinary projects.

Notable achievements include NSF grants, teaching/research awards (specific names unspecified), and leadership roles in Academy of Management and Strategic Management Society. She actively mentors graduate students involved in real-world innovation projects, emphasizing applied learning. Her legacy-building efforts aim to cultivate next-generation innovation leaders through experiential education.

Labs/Teams: Directs SmartState Center for Innovation + Commercialization and collaborates with McNair Aerospace Center on advanced materials projects. Current initiatives include Urban Air Mobility vehicle development and prosthetic limb innovations using aerospace-derived materials.