Dear Rice community,
I am excited to announce that David Sholl, an internationally recognized expert in research strategy, clean energy and scientific leadership, has been named executive vice president for research.
David, currently the executive director and vice provost of the University of Tennessee Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, will join Rice in January. He brings decades of experience in academia, national laboratories and the federal government.
As Rice’s chief research officer, David will oversee the university’s internal and external research enterprise and set its strategic direction in alignment with the university’s new strategic plan, Momentous. He will serve on the president’s cabinet and work closely with university leadership, faculty and staff to grow Rice’s research funding, infrastructure and impact.
David is a visionary, focused leader whose experience and energy will be a tremendous asset as Rice elevates its research ambitions. He is ideally suited to guide and collaborate with our faculty and research community in realizing our bold goals — advancing discoveries in health, sustainable futures, thriving urban communities and responsible AI. His leadership will be key as we grow our partnerships and expand Rice’s national and global impact.
A member of the National Academy of Engineering, David has a distinguished record of leadership, including directing the Transformational Decarbonization Initiative at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and advising the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.
From 2013 to 2021, Sholl served as chair of the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, a program consistently rated in the top 5 nationally. He is editor-in-chief of the AIChE Journal, a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
David’s research has primarily focused on using materials modeling methods to develop new materials and processes for chemical separations and energy applications. He has published more than 400 peer-reviewed articles and has written several books, including “Density Functional Theory: A Practical Introduction” and “Success and Creativity in Scientific Research.”
After earning his undergraduate degree in theoretical physics from the Australian National University, Sholl received his master’s and doctorate in applied mathematics from the University of Colorado Boulder.
At Rice, David will oversee the Office of Research, which includes the Office of Innovation, Office of Technology Transfer, Office of Sponsored Projects, Office of Research Integrity, the Animal Resources Facility, the Shared Equipment Authority and Rice’s flagship research institute and centers.
A key goal for David will be to further expand Rice’s research partnerships with federal agencies, foundations and industry and to grow its reputation for excellence across all fields.
I want to thank the search committee for their hard work in filling this important position for the university. Please know that your thoroughness, diligence and commitment to the process is appreciated.
Special thanks to George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing Dean Luay Nakhleh for chairing the committee, which included:
- Pedro J. Alvarez — Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Juan Jose Castellon Gonzalez — Assistant Professor, School of Architecture
- Danielle King — Associate Professor of Psychological Sciences; Associate Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, School of Social Sciences
- Jeffrey J. Kripal — Professor of Religion, School of Humanities
- Laszlo Kurti — Professor of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences
- Emilia Morosan — Professor of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Sciences
- Vinay Pai ’88, ’91 — Alumnus; Member, Rice Board of Trustees
- Nicola Secomandi — Professor of Operations Management, Jones Graduate School of Business
- Katrina Spencer — Senior Associate Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
- Omid Veiseh — Professor of Bioengineering
I would also like to thank Christopher Johns-Krull, professor of physics and astronomy, who will continue his capable service as interim executive vice president for research until David arrives in a few months.
At that time, please join me in welcoming David and his family to the Rice community. I know you will enjoy working with him and appreciate your support and enthusiasm for our goals and ambitions!
Sincerely,
Reginald DesRoches, President