Dear Rice community,
I’m writing to share that we have officially launched the international search for Rice’s next executive vice president for research.
As was recently announced, Ramamoorthy Ramesh will later this summer transition from his administrative role and return to the faculty to focus on his groundbreaking research. I am deeply grateful for Ramesh’s contributions to elevating Rice’s research enterprise and impact during his time in this vital leadership position.
To help identify our next research leader, we have engaged Isaacson, Miller, one of the nation’s premier executive search firms. With nearly four decades of experience, the firm has led successful searches across higher education, science and technology, health care, and other mission-driven sectors.
I have also appointed a distinguished search committee, chaired by Luay Nakhleh, dean of the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing. This group brings a broad range of perspectives and expertise that will be invaluable as we consider candidates for this critically important role at a pivotal time for research, scholarship and creative work at Rice.
Search Committee Members:
- Chair, Luay Nakhleh — Dean, George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing
- 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 want to thank the committee for the critical work ahead, and we encourage you to share any nominations or suggestions for the position with the committee.
Warmly,
President Reginald DesRoches