The chairs of a search for a new Vice President for Research and Economic Development (OVPR&ED) are seeking input from University of Iowa stakeholders regarding the organization’s structure and ideal qualifications for the next person who leads it.

David Gier, director of the School of Music, and Aliasger Salem, division head for Pharmaceutics and Translational Therapeutics and professor in the colleges of Pharmacy, Engineering, and the Carver College of Medicine, will hold two open forums—one on the west campus, and one on the east—to give faculty, staff and students an opportunity to share their ideas and suggestions.

From 11 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 9, a forum will be held in Room 1117 of the Medical Education Research Facility (MERF). From 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, a forum will be held in Room 2520-D of the University Capitol Centre. Everyone is welcome to attend either event or both events. 

Gier and Salem will provide an overview of the current organizational structure and their fact-gathering efforts to date before opening the meeting to comments and questions.

John Keller, dean of the Graduate College and associate provost, is currently serving as OVPR&ED’s interim vice president. He replaced Dan Reed, who stepped down in October to focus on national research and competitiveness policy and to develop new approaches to computational science.

Please direct questions or comments to Michael Weaver.