STUDIO STAFF
DIRECTOR
DAVID MARTIN
David joined NIS in 2017 as Director. David Martin is a former journalist and founder of True Stories – Live! in Lincoln. Originally from Boston, David has a BS from Haverford College and an MA from Columbia University. He was an Emmy-nominated producer at CNN and also worked at The Associated Press and Newhouse Newspapers. He enjoys screen printing and photography.
dmartin18@nebraska.edu
402-472-5114
Nebraska Innovation Campus
Innovation Commons, Suite 1500
Lincoln, NE 68588-6200
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
WILLIAM JOHNSTON
Will joined NIS as Training & Design Specialist in 2023 and began his current role as Assistant Director in 2025. Originally from Omaha, Will is an alumni of The University of South Dakota with a degree in Sports Management, where he competed in Swim and Dive. He is the owner and founder of Chosen Craftsman, a handmade goods company he launched out of NIS in 2023. His products have been given as awards in tournaments throughout the region, and he frequently uses his talents to create community projects around Lincoln and Omaha.
wjohnston3@nebraska.edu
402-472-5510
Nebraska Innovation Campus
Innovation Commons, Suite 1500
Lincoln, NE 68588-6200
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, ADVISORY BOARD
DR. SHANE FARRITOR
Dr. Farritor joined the faculty of the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 1998. Prior to coming to UNL he worked in the Field and Space Robotics Laboratory at MIT and the Unmanned Vehicle Lab at the C.S. Draper Laboratories. Dr. Farritor is chief technical officer and co-founder of the start-up company Virtual Incision Corporation. He is also an inventor on approximately 25 issued domestic and international patents and 43 pending applications. He has received many awards from UNL for his excellence in teaching. Dr. Farritor’s research has been published in many respected journals, and he has been the PI on many successful grants. Dr. Farritor serves as the executive chairman on the board of advisors for Nebraska Innovation Studio.
TRAINING & DESIGN SPECIALIST
ELIJAH PAULSON
Elijah joined the Studio in 2023 as a Machinist on the Heartland Robotics Cluster Grant and began working as the Training and Design Specialist in 2025. He brings over 20 years of metalworking and fabrication experience.
epaulson2@nebraska.edu
402-472-5510
Nebraska Innovation Campus
Innovation Commons, Suite 1500
Lincoln, NE 68588-6200
