UC Riverside Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox announced the appointment of Rodolfo H. Torres as Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development effective September 1, 2019, pending approval by University of California President Janet Napolitano.
Torres joined the faculty of the University of Kansas in 1996 and has held senior executive roles in the office of research there. He is University Distinguished Professor of Mathematics and previously served as Associate Vice Chancellor and Interim Vice Chancellor of Research and President of the University of Kansas Center for Research, Inc. The University of Kansas is designated as a doctoral university, very high research activity in the Carnegie Classification system and is a member institution of the Association of American Universities, or AAU.
“Rodolfo deeply understands the profile of AAU institutions and has enjoyed professional success as an NSF-funded researcher,” said Wilcox. “With rapid growth in our faculty ranks and sponsored research funding, UCR will benefit from his expertise, leadership, and commitment.”
Torres received his Ph.D. in mathematics in 1989 from Washington University in St. Louis. He held postdoctoral positions at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences of New York University and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
“I am honored to be chosen for this position UCR’s research excellence and commitment to students, together with California’s diverse demographics and expected growth and the collaborative regional economic environment make the campus a compelling enterprise,” Torres said. “I strongly believe that significant progress will only happen by comprehensively supporting research, scholarship, and creative activities across all disciplines: the arts, business, education, humanities, medicine, policy, social sciences, and STEM.”
Torres will collaborate closely with the college and school deans and the development office to support faculty scholarship, identify funding opportunities, and further build a research infrastructure that aligns with the University’s aspirations and goals.
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Thomas M. Smith commented, “The success of UCR is rooted in its academic strength. Eminent scholars will come here and stay if they feel our campus is committed to and supportive of their long-term success. As chief academic officer, I am eager to work with Rodolfo and the deans to foster innovation, grow regional partnerships, and fuel the aspirations of our faculty.”
The vice chancellor oversees sponsored programs, research integrity, research development, technology partnerships, and core facilities. Torres will provide broad vision and executive leadership for research policy and planning on campus, as well for a diverse portfolio of economic development activities in the region.
