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Vice President for Research

Stephen Dewhurst appointed vice president for research

June 20, 2023

Stephen Dewhurst has been named vice president for research at the University of Rochester. An accomplished virologist and HIV researcher, and respected scientific and academic leader who has been serving in the interim role since 2021, Dewhurst has been appointed to this key leadership role by University President Sarah Mangelsdorf, and following Board of Trustees approval. Dewhurst’s appointment is effective immediately and follows a national search. He will also continue to serve as vice dean for research at the School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD), a position he has held since 2013.

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More about the position

The Vice President for Research will define and shape the role as leader of the University’s research initiatives and infrastructure, which are pillars of the University’s mission.

Research is a critical component of the University of Rochester enterprise. The University is a leading research institution, and invests significantly in centers, labs, and institutes spanning a variety of disciplines—including the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, clinical applications, optics, humanities, social sciences, and more.

Reporting to the President, the Vice President will be a strong leader and scholar of distinction. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated both leadership and administrative ability, a record of funded research and significant personal research accomplishment, and successful experience in facilitating research, developing partnerships, and addressing critical issues for the research community.

Search committee

An internal search committee was formed to help with the hiring process for this position.

Full committee membership list
  • David Figlio: Chair of the Committee; Provost and Chief Academic Officer; Gordon Fyfe Professor of Economics and Education
  • Nile Blunt: Assistant Professor of Curatorial Practice; McPherson Director of Academic Programs, Memorial Art Gallery
  • Diane Dalecki: The Kevin J. Parker Distinguished Professor in Biomedical Engineering; Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Director, Rochester Center for Biomedical Ultrasound
  • Samantha Daley: Associate Professor, Counseling & Human Development, Educational Leadership, Teaching & Curriculum, Warner School of Education
  • Jonathan Dunsby: Chair, Music Theory Department of Music; Professor of Music Theory, Eastman School of Music
  • John Foxe: Kilian J. and Caroline F. Schmitt Chair in Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience; Professor, Department of Neuroscience; Research Director, The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience; Professor, Center for Visual Science, School of Arts & Sciences (Joint); Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Dentistry (Joint)
  • Susan Groth: Associate Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing
  • Wendi Heinzelman: Dean of the Edmund A. Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Professor, Computer Science
  • Richard Libby: Senior Associate Dean, Graduate Education and Post-Doctoral Affairs; Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine and Dentistry
  • Huaxia Rui: Xerox Chair of Computer and Information Systems; Professor, Simon Business School
  • Sheree Toth: Chair, Department of Psychology; Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry; Executive Director, Mt. Hope Family Center
  • Stephen Biggar: Board of Trustees, University of Rochester; Board of Trustee, Chair for the Research and Innovation Committee; Partner, Baker Brothers Investments
  • Gigi DeMita-Benway: Staff to the Committee; Executive Director of Provost Operations