Harlan M. Sands, J.D., has been named the new associate provost for Administration and Finance at UAB. His appointment is effective June 1.

Sands now is the associate vice president for research and executive director of the Florida International University Applied Research Center.

“Harlan’s diverse experience associated with the operation and financial management of complex entities will be invaluable in his new role overseeing the administrative and financial operations associated with the academic and research activities at UAB,” said Provost Eli Capilouto. “What impressed me the most is that his interest in this position was driven mainly by his passion and commitment to our educational and research mission and the criticality of service by the provost’s office in meeting these goals.”

At Florida International University, Sands solidified and expanded the research center’s relationship with the U.S. government in developing, testing and evaluating environmental cleanup technologies as well as expanding the center’s role in addressing emerging environmental and energy-technology challenges in Latin and South America.

Sands has been at FIU since 1999 as a lecturer in the department of criminal justice, assistant dean of finance and budget for the College of Health and Urban Affairs and later associate dean. He led the Hemispheric Center for Environmental Technology for two years before assuming his current position.

Sands’ experience also includes more than 10 years on active duty with the U.S. Navy, including a stint as a White House presidential aide, and three years as an assistant public defender in Miami.

Sands earned his bachelor of science degree in economics from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. He then earned a master’s degree in finance from George Washington University and a juris doctorate from George Mason University.

“The opportunity to join a nationally and internationally recognized research university is a tremendous honor,” Sands said. “I look forward to working with the UAB leadership team as it continues to advance the university’s education and research agendas and build upon UAB’s successes.”