Four finalists have been named in the internal search for Iowa State's next vice president for research. They are:
- Duane Johnson, professor of materials science and engineering
- Sarah Nusser, professor of statistics
- Jim Oliver, professor of mechanical engineering
- Jim Reecy, professor of animal science
"We are pleased that so many of Iowa State's top researchers agreed to be considered for this position," said Beate Schmittmann, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who co-chairs the search committee with associate provost David Holger. "Our finalists all have very impressive credentials, and I am confident that each individual has the skills and motivation to move Iowa State's research programs forward."
The finalists will interview in early December. Each will meet with members of the university community and participate in a 9:30 a.m. open forum at the Memorial Union. The forum schedule is:
- Johnson, Monday, Dec. 2, Gold Room
- Reecy, Tuesday, Dec. 3, Gold Room
- Oliver, Friday, Dec. 6, Cardinal Room
- Nusser, Monday, Dec. 9, Cardinal Room
The open forums will be recorded and posted on the provost's website; a form will be available there to provide feedback on the finalists. Vitae and photos of the candidates also are available on the site.
About the finalists
Duane Johnson, F. Wendell Miller Professor of Energy Science in the materials science and engineering department and chief research officer at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory, joined Iowa State in 2010. Previously, he served for 13 years at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and nine years at Sandia National Laboratories. Johnson earned bachelor's and doctoral degrees in physics from the University of Cincinnati.
Sarah Nusser, professor of statistics, joined the Iowa State faculty in 1992. Previously, she served as a statistician with the Proctor & Gamble Co. in Cincinnati, and is a former director of Iowa State's Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology. Nusser earned bachelor's and master's degrees in botany from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, respectively, and master's and doctoral degrees in statistics from Iowa State.
Jim Oliver, University Professor and Larry and Pam Pithan Professor of Mechanical Engineering and director of the Virtual Reality Application Program and interdepartmental graduate program in human computer interaction, joined the university in 1991. Previously, he served in appointments at the State University of New York, Buffalo, and Michigan State University, East Lansing. Oliver earned a bachelor's degree from Union College, Schenectady, N.Y., and master's and doctoral degrees from Michigan State, all in mechanical engineering.
Jim Reecy, professor of animal science and director of the Office of Biotechnology, joined the university in 1999. Previously, he served as a postdoctoral research associate and faculty member at the Baylor University College of Medicine, Houston. Reecy earned a bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University, Brookings, a master's degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and a doctorate from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., all in animal science.
About the post
The vice president for research leads Iowa State's entire research enterprise, including pre- and post-award administration and compliance; interdisciplinary research centers and institutes; ISU Research Foundation; and the offices of intellectual property and technology transfer, sponsored programs administration, responsible research and laboratory animal resources.
David Oliver, professor of genetics, development and cell biology, is filling the role on an interim basis.
