University of Alabama at Birmingham President Ray Watts, M.D., has named Jason J. Nichols, O.D., Ph.D., as interim vice president for the Office of Research, as the university conducts a national search for its next VPR.
Nichols currently serves as senior associate vice president for Research and is a tenured professor of optometry and vision science. In his interim role, he will provide leadership and continuity for one of the university’s most critical strategic priorities — advancing research excellence, innovation and impact.
The announcement follows the planned retirement of Vice President for Research Christopher S. Brown, Ph.D., effective July 1, 2026, after nearly a decade of leadership that included significant growth in research funding, infrastructure and institutional impact.
“Dr. Nichols is an accomplished leader with a deep understanding of UAB’s research enterprise,” Watts said. “He is also a longtime faculty member, funded investigator and clinical trialist, bringing firsthand knowledge of the research life cycle. As we continue our national search for our next vice president for Research, I am confident Jason will ensure sustained momentum in our Research Strategic Initiative and stability across our research mission.”
Nichols brings more than two decades of experience at the intersection of translational science, research administration and entrepreneurial initiatives in academic health settings. In his current role, he helps oversee key components of UAB’s research infrastructure, including institutional research centers, sponsored programs, research compliance and clinical trial operations.
He has played a significant role in advancing UAB’s research strategy, including efforts to expand clinical trials, strengthen partnerships and support faculty-driven innovation. An internationally recognized clinician scientist, Nichols has an extensive publication record and has maintained an active research portfolio supported by federal, industry and nonprofit sponsors, reflecting his experience across the full spectrum of the research enterprise — from discovery through clinical trials and translation to practice.
“I am honored to serve UAB in this interim capacity and to support our outstanding research community during this important transition,” Nichols said. “Having spent my career as a faculty member, investigator and clinical trialist, I understand the opportunities and challenges our researchers face. This is a strong research enterprise because of our faculty, and I look forward to continuing to work with our faculty, staff and partners to advance discovery and impact. UAB has built tremendous momentum in research, and my focus in this interim role is to help ensure continuity, stability and continued progress.”
UAB is recognized as a leading research university and academic health system, with a robust and growing portfolio spanning basic science, clinical and translational research, and community-engaged scholarship. The vice president for Research plays a critical role in shaping and executing the university’s research strategy, supporting faculty and infrastructure, and driving innovation that improves lives and strengthens communities.
The national search for UAB’s next vice president for Research is being led by a campus-wide committee co-chaired by Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Janet Woodruff-Borden, Ph.D., and Senior Vice President for Medicine and Dean of the Heersink School of Medicine Anupam Agarwal, M.D. The position is a key member of the President’s Cabinet and provides strategic leadership to further elevate UAB’s national and global research impact.