The Office of Research announces the organizational changes outlined below. Please join us in honoring Dr. Keyser for his many contributions to science and the research enterprise at UAB, and in congratulating Drs. Nichols and Schwebel on their new roles.
Schwebel accepts Associate Vice President for Research Facilities and Infrastructure, starts September 1
The Office of Research is pleased to announce Dr. David Schwebel’s acceptance of the Associate Vice President for Research Facilities and Infrastructure position, which he will assume on September 1, 2021. Dr. Schwebel earned his B.A. in psychology from Yale University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from University of Iowa. He was selected for the Associate Vice President role from a field of outstanding candidates after a comprehensive nationwide search. Dr. Schwebel brings a wealth of administrative experience to the position, having served as an Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences since 2011 where he helped the College increase its externally funded awards by 76%. Schwebel, a University Professor of Psychology, is an accomplished researcher with over 325 peer-reviewed publications and numerous past and current extramurally funded projects. His new responsibilities will include working with the Schools, College and relevant units for coordination and strategic planning for research facilities across campus. Please help us extend a warm welcome to Dr. Schwebel as the newest member of the Office of Research senior leadership team.
Nichols’ responsibilities increase in role as Senior Associate Vice President for Research, effective October 1
In addition to his existing responsibilities in the Office of Research leading entrepreneurial and clinical trial initiatives, serving on the CCTS Executive Committee, and ongoing return to research operations planning, Dr. Jason Nichols will assume leadership duties of the merged offices of Research Development & Internal Programs plus Research Engagement & Partnerships. The merger adds to his portfolio the University-Wide Interdisciplinary Research Centers (UWIRC) program, research development initiatives and services, as well as interactions with outside entities such as Southern Research, and leadership of several university-wide committees. Nichols, a tenured Professor in the Department of Optometry and Vision Science will maintain his successful NIH-funded research activities through the School of Optometry. Over the next few months, Dr. Nichols will work closely with Dr. Keyser and others to achieve a smooth transition of these responsibilities and we look forward to his participation and leadership in these new aspects of his position.
Keyser, Associate Vice President for Research Development & Internal Programs, to retire September 30
After 26 years of exemplary service to UAB, University Professor Dr. Kent Keyser will retire effective October 1. Dr. Keyser’s tenure in the Office of Research began in 2013 when he assumed the role of Assistant Vice President for Research and continued after his promotion to Associate Vice President for Research Development and Internal Programs in 2016. His research program, on acetylcholine receptors in the nervous system, has been supported by NIH, NSF, and several foundations, and his impressive body of work has been published in a variety of prestigious journals including Cell, Journal of Neuroscience, the Journal of Biological Chemistry, and PNAS. Dr. Keyser’s input related to the development of research programs and implementation of strategies designed to enhance the competitiveness of proposals submitted by UAB faculty has been a critical component of UAB’s continued research growth. Please join us in extending our sincere thanks to Dr. Keyser for his leadership and commendable service, and in wishing him a very fond farewell as he begins a new chapter.