J. Martin (Marty) Scholtz, Ph.D., was named the Vice President for Research at the University of Iowa in June 2019.

As VPR, he serves a member of the University’s senior leadership team, reporting to the President. Working closely with the Provost, Deans, and Directors of UI research programs, he champions to the University’s research missions, fosters the development of collaborative research initiatives, and advances a culture of research excellence.

At the University of Iowa, the VPR provides leadership for the core administrative and compliance units that support research. This includes sponsored programs, research development, and units that oversee the health, safety, and responsible conduct of employees and participants engaged in research activities. A variety of core research facilities and University wide research programs report to the VPR, as well as the State Hygienic Laboratory.

As VPR, Dr. Scholtz participates in the national conversations about research policy to ensure that UI is fully engaged and well connected to the major sources of federal funding, including the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Department of Education, Department of Defense, National Endowment for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Humanities, among others. The VPR also engages with major foundations and companies—tracking their priorities to enable UI researchers to match with opportunities to garner their support.

Early in his tenure at the University of Iowa, Dr. Scholtz led the Iowa research enterprise through the COVID-19 pandemic, including a ramp down of operations and a phased, safe return to campus.

He previously served as the executive associate vice president for research at Texas A&M University, where he held faculty appointments in biochemistry and biophysics, molecular and cellular medicine, and medical biochemistry and genetics. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln and a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley.