National Search, Vice President for Research
Dr. Shashank Priya Named Vice President for Research
After an extensive national search, University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel announced on May 20, 2022, that she had appointed Dr. Shashank Priya as vice president for research (VPR), effective September 30, pending Board of Regents approval on June 10.
In this role, Dr. Priya will report to the president, serve as a key member of the cabinet, and aim to elevate our top 10 U.S. public research university distinction across research and discovery, strategy and programs, and policy, compliance, and corporate engagement.
A leading scholar and researcher across the fields of material sciences and mechanical engineering, and an innovative university leader, Dr. Priya has deep experience and relationships across academia, industry, and the public sector, including at leading land-grant institutions Penn State University and Virginia Tech. He is a pacesetter in raising federal funds and cultivating a national perspective through his work with the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies. Dr. Priya has built large, interdisciplinary teams, and has a demonstrated track record of collaborating with others to develop and advance interdisciplinary projects. He is a strategic leader of the highest integrity, and a collaborator and consensus builder with an enduring commitment to elevating and mentoring others in their work.
Dr. Priya is currently an associate vice president for research and director of Strategic Initiatives at Penn State, where he is also a professor of Materials Science and Engineering.
You can read more about Dr. Priya’s experience and background in the president’s message to the University and in Dr. Priya’s CV. Welcome, Dr. Priya!
Dr. Shashank Priya Hiring Announcement
Search Timeline
- November 4, 2021 - General Announcement of Search
- January 13, 2022 - Senior Leader Search Update
- January 20-21, 2022 - Stakeholder Listening Sessions
- February 17, 2022 - Position Profile and Procedure for Candidacy Posted
- April 14, 2022 - Public Forums Announced
- April 20 & 21, 2022 - Public Forums
- May 20, 2022 - VPR Announced
Search Committee Members
Rachel Croson, Co-Chair
Executive Vice President and Provost
rcroson@umn.edu
Jakub Tolar, Co-Chair
Medical School Dean and Vice President for Clinical Affairs
tolar003@umn.edu
Brian Buhr
Dean, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences
Carolyn Fairbanks
Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education, College of Pharmacy, and Council of Research Associate Deans (CRAD) Chair
Paloma Gonzalez-Belido
Assistant Professor, College of Biological Sciences
Anthony Kern
Head, Division of Agriculture, Natural Science and Technology, UMC
Frances Lawrenz
Associate Vice President for Research and Deputy Institutional Official, Office of the Vice President for Research
Zachery Roloff
Graduate Student, Medical School (COGS)
James Schryver
Professor, Division of Humanities, UMM
Rielle Swanson
Graduate Student, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences, and President of the Council of Graduate Students (COGS)
Frank Symons
Associate Dean for Research, College of Education and Human Development
Marc Tye
Zebrafish Core Facility Manager, Medical School
Carston Wagner
Professor, College of Pharmacy, and Senate Research Committee Chair
Rolf Weberg
Director, Natural Resources Research Institute, UMD
Koryn Zewers
Director of Research Strategy and Operations, Medical School