Tampabay: USF hires new vice president of research

USF hires new vice president of research

By Times staff writer

TAMPA -- The University of South Florida has hired internationally recognized scientist M. Ian Phillips as its new vice president of research.

Phillips, a professor of physiology and functional genomics, is the associate vice president of research and graduate programs at the University of Florida. He starts Jan. 31.

"Dr. Phillips is an accomplished scholar, researcher and administrator," USF President Judy Genshaft said. "His background makes him the perfect fit for our emphasis in bio-engineering and the life sciences. We are pleased he is joining our team, and we will look forward to his contributions in USF research and economic development."

Phillips will be responsible for developing and enhancing research in a program that last year brought in more than $207-million in contracts and grants. That's up from $65-million a decade ago.

"USF is in the best position geographically and academically to become one of the nation's great universities," Phillips said. "High quality research is the key to achieving that goal."

Also Tuesday, USF St. Petersburg announced that Gary A. Olson will be its interim associate vice president. Olson is an English professor and director of the school's graduate program in rhetoric and composition.

As the chief academic officer for the St. Petersburg campus, Olson will oversee the hiring of 61 new faculty members and the institution's effort to forge a separate identity from the Tampa campus.

"I'm delighted to be part of the USF St. Petersburg community," Olson said. "It's a vibrant, dynamic and intellectually stimulating institution, and we have a first-rate faculty and a strong and growing student body."