Email From University President Michael K. Young
Subject: Appointment of Tom Parks as Vice President for Research
To: University of Utah Faculty Members
From: Michael K. Young, President
Date: June 27, 2008
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Thomas N. Parks as the University's new Vice President for Research. His selection followed an extensive national search in which many strong candidates were considered. Tom was chosen because he demonstrated the strongest vision for building our research programs. Additionally, his outstanding leadership skills and proven commitment to building broad interdisciplinary research programs, along with his deep knowledge of our campus and many of our investigators, were significant deciding factors.
For the past three decades, Tom has achieved a successful research and teaching career in the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy. As chair there for the last fifteen years, he helped steer the department to national recognition for its research. Tom was also a co-founder of NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and served as the founding director of two successful campus-wide programs: the interdepartmental graduate program in Neuroscience, and the Brain Institute.
Today's research environment is one of unparalleled opportunities for discovery challenged by unprecedented competition for finite funds. To help faculty succeed in that environment, the University is enhancing its efforts to provide vigorous and well-organized support. To that end, Tom will serve full-time as Vice President for Research. He will work closely with Senior Vice Presidents Betz and Pershing to support and grow the U's research enterprise, and with Vice President for Technology Venture Development Brittain to ensure a smooth transition of research discoveries to commercialization.
As Tom assumes his leadership role, I anticipate there will be remarkable changes in our efforts to support research. Tom has indicated he is especially interested in implementing the following:
1. Getting better and more timely information on new funding opportunities in priority research areas to PIs:
a. Regarding federal agencies and upcoming proposal requests via an increased presence in Washington, D.C.
b. From national foundations via cooperation with development officers.
2. Upgrading research resources and facilities through (for example):
a. Acquiring a 2,000-processor supercomputer.
b. Reinstating the annual research equipment grant program.
c. Organizing a storage and record-keeping system for human tissue samples.
3. Recognizing the importance of scholarship and creative work across the campus, including the need to provide appropriate support for these areas.
4. Enhancing competitiveness for large, multi-investigator proposals via creation of proposal development teams.
5. Making it easier for faculty to comply efficiently with regulations governing research and ensuring that differences in the research enterprise within different disciplines are recognized and embraced.
6. Ensuring continued success and growth of the USTAR program and the integration of the USTAR teams into the overall research enterprise of the University.
7. Assisting the new Clinical Translational Science and Children's Health programs.
8. Promoting the research accomplishments of University faculty.
9. At both the local and national level, promoting the value of obtaining an undergraduate education at a research university.
I believe we are entering an exciting era for research and scholarship on this campus. I hope you will join me in welcoming Dr. Parks to this new role. I know he will be a strong advocate for research within the Cabinet and I look forward to helping him increase our funding and creative activity.
Distribution of this message was approved by the University of Utah President's Office, 201 Presidents Circle, Room 203, Salt Lake City UT 84112
