Cynthia Carnes

(612) 624-5054 | [email protected]
224 McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Cynthia Carnes, PharmD, PhD, serves as the University of Minnesota’s vice president for research and innovation, overseeing a $1.4+ billion research enterprise across all campuses and facilities. In this role, Carnes manages units responsible for administration of sponsored projects, research and regulatory compliance, research development, technology commercialization, and corporate engagement, as well as 12 interdisciplinary academic centers and institutes.

Carnes leads efforts to sustain and strengthen the University’s research enterprise, enhance operations and interdisciplinary collaboration, and expand partnerships across industry, government, and communities statewide. In this critical leadership role, Carnes serves as the University’s chief research officer and as a key member of the University Cabinet.

Prior to joining the University of Minnesota, Carnes served as senior associate vice president for research operations at The Ohio State’s Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (ERIK), where she led initiatives to modernize research systems, improve support for faculty and staff, and expand training for researchers and investigators. Her work included piloting the use of AI to streamline compliance processes and create a more efficient and responsive research environment. She was also named the ENGIE-Axium Endowed Chair and professor of pharmaceutics and pharmacology in The Ohio State’s College of Pharmacy.

A distinguished scholar, Carnes’ work spans pharmacology, medicine, and veterinary science, reflecting a long-standing commitment to cross-disciplinary research. She has authored more than 90 peer-reviewed publications and has been named a Fellow of the American Heart Association, the Heart Rhythm Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.