Office of Industry Partnerships > Materials & Manufacturing > Mark Gruninger

Mark Gruninger

Senior Director for Industrial Research & Consortia, School of Materials Engineering Manufacturing & Materials Research Laboratory (MMRL), Purdue University

Mark F. Gruninger is a senior engineering and business leader with experience across industry, academia, technology development, and board governance. He serves as Senior Director of Industrial Consortia and Centers for Purdue University’s College of Engineering and School of Materials Engineering, connecting university research with industrial partnerships and strategic initiatives. Since 2012, he has also advised and served as a director for U.S. and European companies.

Previously, Gruninger spent 25 years with Praxair and Praxair Surface Technologies in senior roles including President of Praxair Surface Technologies, President of Praxair Electronics, and several vice president and general manager positions. His work spans engineering, technology management, materials science, ceramics, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, surface technologies, and industrial gases.

Gruninger earned a Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Ceramic Engineering/Science from Rutgers University and an M.S. in Management through Purdue’s Krannert Executive M.B.A. Program. His early career included roles at Rutgers, the National Institute of Science and Technology, and Corning. He has also served multiple terms on the Boone REMC Board, including as Secretary/Treasurer and Vice Chairman.

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