Oliver Schmitz

Oliver Schmitz is the Associate Dean for Corporate Engagement and Entrepreneurship in the UW–Madison College of Engineering and the Thomas and Suzanne Werner Chair Professor in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics. His research focuses on plasma physics, fusion energy, and advanced plasma technologies, and he is a co-founder of Realta Fusion. Schmitz has served as the college’s Associate Dean for Research Innovation and director of the Grainger Institute for Engineering, where he helped establish the Office of Corporate Relations and Technology Entrepreneurship Office.

In his current role, he leads efforts to expand industry partnerships, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and opportunities to connect UW–Madison engineering expertise with companies across Wisconsin and beyond. He is also committed to making engineering and plasma science accessible through hands-on educational and outreach programs.