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Office of the Vice President for Research

About Us

The Office of the Vice President for Research leads and partners with many of the University’s research offices in an effort to forward Rochester’s research mission. Learn more about the offices that report to us, our collaborations, the committees we support—and meet the leadership and team who helps make it all happen.

Mission and vision

The Office of the Vice President for Research serves to enhance research initiatives at the University. In collaboration with our offices, we strive to support Rochester faculty and staff through all their research endeavors.

Our office also provides strategic oversight in shaping the future of research at the University, articulating a vision for the research enterprise, and positioning the University at the forefront of research innovation.

As a leading research institution, we have a deep understanding of the value of research—and particularly, the importance of how our research and our classrooms intersect. We aim to enrich the University’s academic enterprise, which is essential in providing a higher education experience that is uniquely Rochester.

Stephen Dewhurst, University of Rochester Vice President for Research and Chief Research Officer

VP for Research

Meet Stephen Dewhurst

Stephen Dewhurst, PhD, was named Vice President for Research on June 20, 2023. 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 has extensive research and academic experience in the health sciences space. He joined the University as a professor in 1990, and has served as Vice Dean for Research at URMC since 2013.

Stephen Dewhurst’s full biography

Our team

Partnerships and collaborations

Offices we oversee

Research partnerships

We work closely with a variety of offices and groups at the University, including Rochester’s many research centers and institutes. In addition, we partner with the following offices:

School-specific research partners

Committees

The Office of the Vice President for Research has representation across the following committees:

Research Executive Committee

Committee membership:

  • Steve Dewhurst (chair, Vice President for Research)
  • Jim Brickley
  • Paula Vertino
  • Clayton Cox
  • Nicole Sampson
  • Samantha Daley
  • Chris Deeney
  • Tom Diekwisch
  • Wendi Heinzelman
  • Dale Hess
  • Rick Libby
  • Sally Norton
  • Libby Reitz
  • Peter Robinson
  • Duje Tadin
  • John Tarduno
  • Dave Williams
  • Martin Zand
Research Compliance Committee (RCC)

Purpose: The RCC’s purpose is to be generally knowledgeable about compliance issues facing the research enterprise and to ensure that the key legal and compliance enterprise risks are identified and addressed.

Committee membership:

  • Vice President for Research (co-chair)
  • Associate Vice President, Office of Research and Project Administration (co-chair)
  • Assistant Controller, Office of Research Accounting and Costing Standards
  • Chief Audit Executive, Office of Audit
  • Associate Vice President, Office for Human Subject Protection
  • Chair, University Committee on Animal Resources
  • Director, Environmental Health and Safety
  • Associate Vice President, Environmental Health and Safety
  • Vice Dean for Research, School of Medicine and Dentistry
  • Dean for Research, Arts, Sciences & Engineering
  • Office of Counsel Representative
  • Research Compliance Officer
  • Faculty Representatives
    • Dr. Emma Ciafaloni, Professor of Neurology
    • Dr. Spencer Rosero, Professor and Chief of Cardiology
    • Doug Kelley, Professor of Mechanical Engineering
    • Amanda Larracuente, Associate Professor of Biology
Committee on Science and Security

Learn more on the committee’s page

Research Policy Committee

Learn more on the Faculty Senate website

Research IT Governance Committee

Learn more on the University IT website

AI in Research committee

Learn more on the AI in Research Committee webpage

connect with us

Ready to reach out?

We’re excited to work together to forward the research enterprise at Rochester. Reach out to our office with any questions or to start a conversation.

Contact our office