A scientific toy entrepreneur was picked to direct the center of science-related entrepreneurship in Augusta.

Stacy Williams is the new director of Georgia Center of Innovation-Life Sciences, with offices at the Medical College of Georgia and at the Georgia Department of Economic Development in Atlanta.

Ms. Williams is filling a newly created position that takes over the role of the MCG life sciences incubator and assumes more statewide duties, said Maggie Large, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Mike Gabridge, the former associate vice president for technology transfer and economic development, retired in 2007 for health reasons. His duties were assumed on an interim basis by Charles Nawrot, who remains an associate vice president of research at the medical college's biotech incubator.

Ms. Williams has chemistry degrees from the University of Georgia and Carnegie-Mellon University.

She received a patent in 2004 for a crystal growing kit for children and spent the past three years marketing the science toy to major retailers through her Athens-based company, Dr. DaBrain Science Toys Inc.

"Stacy's experience as both a researcher and an entrepreneur will help the Center of Innovation-Life Sciences connect with the industry," said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, which directs the Centers of Innovation program. "The Centers of Innovation are a key component in growing Georgia's strategic industries."

According to the state, Ms. Williams' first-hand understanding of commercializing products will be instrumental to the companies using the incubators.

"Stacy Williams is well equipped to assist the center in its goal to expand statewide," said Sterling Wharton, director of the Centers of Innovation.