Team

Dimitrios Peroulis, PhD

Senior Vice President for Partnerships and Online, Reilly Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University

Contact Info
Office: 765-494-3539
dperouli@purdue.edu

Luna Lu, PhD

Vice President for the Office of Industry Partnerships, Indiana ACPA Professor in Concrete Paving and Materials Science

Dr. Luna Lu is the Vice President of Purdue University’s Office of Industry Partnerships, where she spearheads initiatives to enhance collaboration between Purdue with industry leaders across diverse sectors.

Dr. Lu serves as the Indiana ACPA Professor in Concrete Paving and Materials Science, where her groundbreaking work in sustainable infrastructure technologies, particularly IoT sensor systems, has transformed the construction industry. Recognized as a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, she has earned acclaim for bridging academic research with real-world applications.

Dr. Lu is an accomplished academic leader, researcher and entrepreneur dedicated to academic excellence and impact. Throughout her career, Dr. Lu has built strategic alliances with leading corporations and institutions, helping to position Purdue as a global leader in fields such as semiconductors, microelectronics, and intelligent infrastructure. Her vision and leadership ensure Purdue’s lasting impact on technology innovation and industry partnerships.

Contact Info
Office: 765-494-2808
luna@purdue.edu

Brad Beach

Managing Director, ManuFuture Today (Manufacturing)

Brad is the Managing Director of the ManuFuture Today ecosystem at Purdue University (https://manufuturetoday.net), where they are working collaboratively to support manufacturers on their high value journey and leveraging digital technologies to amplify that value. 

Brad spent 18 years in industry and has deep experience with advanced technology and industrial operations in the oilfield services and pharmaceutical manufacturing. 

Brad has been supporting Purdue’s industry partners since 2023. 

Contact Info
Mobile: 317-529-8503
beach16@purdue.edu

Katerina Grigoriou

Director of Corporate Relations, College of Science

As Director of Corporate Relations for Purdue’s College of Science, Katerina Grigoriou serves as the primary bridge between industry partners and the College’s seven departments—spanning Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Mathematics, Physics & Astronomy, and Statistics.
 
She specializes in translating complex academic innovation into real-world impact—connecting external partners with the right Purdue expertise, talent, and research capabilities. Her mission: to foster high-value, strategic relationships that advance shared goals in research, talent development, and innovation.
 
Before joining Purdue, Katerina spent a decade at Eli Lilly in Sales and Marketing roles, where she honed her ability to align scientific opportunity with market needs. She brings this same commercial mindset and connector energy to her work at Purdue—cultivating meaningful collaborations that are built to last.

Education
MS Cellular and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Georgia State University
BS Biomedical Engineering, International Plan, Georgia Institute of Technology

Contact Info
katerina@purdue.edu

Joe Krok

Executive Director, Corporate Relations, College of Engineering

Contact Info
Mobile: 317-696-3173
jkrok@purdue.edu

Matthew Merzdorf

Director of Industry Partnerships, Semiconductor and Telecommunications Portfolio

Matthew Merzdorf serves as Director for the Purdue Office of Industry Partnerships within the STEM/Hi-Tech team. This team of professionals provides industry connections with a unique gateway to Purdue University’s technological and academic sectors, facilitating interactions and conversations within the areas of recruiting/career programs, research, philanthropy, campus presence/investment, and student/classroom engagement. Merzdorf’s focus is primarily on the intersection between the semiconductor and telecommunications industries.

Merzdorf is a dual-degree holder from Purdue University who has served the Purdue Research Foundation and the Purdue For Life Foundation through his knowledge of the extensive programs offered through Purdue’s College of Engineering. In 2019 Matthew Merzdorf was appointed to serve as Director for Corporate Partnerships within the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He filled this position for well over two years, during which time the program grew to encompass 36 distinct partners and saw the launch of three planned industry-centered events. Matthew has served the Purdue For Life Foundation as Associate Director of Donor Relations, representing and providing technical/professional services to the School of ECE as well as the School of Industrial Engineering. He is also a serving member of the Purdue Gateway Project’s action team.

Education
MA International Relations; Comparative Politics, Purdue University
BS Agricultural Economics; Sales and Marketing, Purdue University
AAS Accounting, Ivy Tech Community College

Contact Info
mmerzdor@purdue.edu

Heath Murray

Director of Industry Partnerships

Heath Murray is the Director of Industry Partnerships in the Central Office at Purdue University, where he leads efforts to grow strategic collaborations across defense, industry, and academia, with a particular focus on the DoD and national security portfolio. In this role, he works to connect Purdue’s research strengths and innovation capacity with partners across Indiana, the Midwest, and beyond.
 
Heath founded and served as Executive Director of the Defense Innovation Networking Group (D!NG), a regionally focused initiative 501(c)(3). Under his leadership, D!NG established itself as an ‘interstate network of connections” across the globe for defense businesses, universities, and federal stakeholders, facilitating millions in DoD-related opportunities into Indiana.
Heath’s career spans law enforcement, cyber security, and leadership roles in DoD industry. He is a Mitch Daniels Leadership Fellow, former Defense Entrepreneurs Forum (DEF) Conference Director, and co-founder of the Bloomington chapter of the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum.
He earned his Masters in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Penn State, where his research focused on “Building the Midwest defense ecosystem.” Outside of work, Heath enjoys heavy metal, fantasy writing, Dungeons & Dragons, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and two dogs.

Education
MS Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Penn State University
BS Information Systems Security, American Military University

Contact Info
hemurray@purdue.edu

Samantha Miller, PhD

Director of Corporate Business Development, College of Agriculture

Dr. Samantha Miller is Director of Corporate Business Development for the Purdue College of Agriculture where she works to connect the wider business community with Purdue’s elite research teams through creative partnerships. Miller brings wide ranging experience across many agricultural sectors together with direct experience in higher education to build effective programs across the college.
 
Prior to joining Purdue, Miller worked in regulatory and communications roles for Corteva Agriscience and Beck’s Hybrids. Miller was previously tenure track faculty at Oklahoma State University, and also served as AAAS Congressional Fellow in the US Senate.
 
Miller earned her Ph.D. in Agronomy at Purdue in 2012, and her B.S. in Plant Science-Agronomy from the University of Florida in 2008. She was honored to be named Distinguished Agriculture Alumna by the Purdue College of Agriculture in 2023.

Education
Ph.D., Agronomy, Purdue University
B.S., Plant Science, University of Florida

Contact Info
agsam@purdue.edu

Tony Rumschlag, DVM

Executive Director, Corporate Relations, College of Veterinary Medicine

Before joining Purdue, Tony spent five years practicing as a companion animal veterinarian. He then embarked on a 32-year career in the veterinary industry, working for three major animal health companies. This included more than 15 years with Elanco, headquartered in Indiana. Following that, he ran his own independent consulting business for three years before taking on his current role at Purdue.

Tony has also been deeply involved in organized veterinary medicine at both the national and local levels. He remains active with the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, which has honored him with several awards, including the President’s Award, Volunteer of the Year Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his volunteer service and ongoing engagement.

Tony and his wife, Hella, met and married on Purdue’s campus. In 2025, they will celebrate 40 years of marriage. Although his role is officially remote—since they recently moved to Ohio to be closer to their two young granddaughters—Tony regularly travels back to Indiana and the Purdue campus to maintain strong connections. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, backpacking, fishing, and woodworking.

Education
BS, Animal Science, Purdue University
DVM, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine

Contact Info
Mobile: 317-997-2386
ajrumsch@purdue.edu

Eric Woods

Executive Director, One Health Initiative

Eric Woods serves as Executive Director for the Office of Industry Partnerships, Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine Portfolio. This group provides a gateway to the University, making connections between external partners and Purdue within the areas of recruiting, research, philanthropy, campus presence/investment, and student/classroom engagement. These responsibilities support university-level priorities and help to build long-term strategic relationships. Woods is also responsible for a portfolio that includes some of Purdue’s largest corporate partners.

Woods has been with Purdue since 2013, serving as the first Director of Corporate Relations for the College of Health and Human Sciences. In 2015, as Senior Director, he was asked to lead a cross-campus collaboration effort for the Office of Corporate Relations — part of the University Development Office — a role that has grown to his current position.

Prior to joining Purdue, Woods spent 25 years leading sales and business development teams with various companies.

Education
BS Behavioral Science ’89, Indiana University Kokomo

Contact Info
Mobile: 765-637-8000
woodsp@purdue.edu

Matthew Wagner

Senior Director of Corporate Learning, Growth Catalyst, Learning & Development

Matthew (Matt) Wagner serves as the Senior Director for Educational Partnerships in the Office of Industry Partnerships.  He joins Purdue for Life Foundation from Purdue University where he has been a leader in the growth of Purdue’s Online Programs since 2015, including the development of educational partnerships with: Cummins, General Motors, Lilly, and others.  Matt is thrilled about joining the Office of Industry Partnerships to further bridge industry with their next “Giant Leap” through innovative learning and upskilling partnerships.

Prior to Purdue, Matt worked in business development and engagement roles at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Duquesne University.  He is originally from Indianapolis and was a collegiate athlete.  In his free time, he enjoys cycling, hiking, and spending time outdoors with his wife, Miriam, two daughters, Annalise and Brea, and dog, Rizzo.

Education
BS, Sport Management, Niagara University
MS, University of Louisville

Contact Info
Mobile: 317-258-4670
MatthewLWagner@purdue.edu

Angela Haan

Executive Assistant to Luna Lu, Vice President

Contact Info
Office: 765-494-5349
Mobile: 765-714-1774
angie@purdue.edu

Darla Mazur

Director of Operations

Education
BS, Speech Communication and Marketing, University of Central Missouri
MA, Marketing – Webster University, St. Louis

Contact Info
djmazur@purdue.edu
Office: 765-496-4726