Chancellor proposes new economic development duty for Paul

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman will recommend that Prem Paul, vice chancellor for research and dean of graduate studies, assume new responsibilities as vice chancellor for research and economic development. Perlman said the proposal reflects the university's role and increasing emphasis in economic development and Paul's strength in expanding research and business opportunities in Nebraska.

The title of vice chancellor for research and economic development is new at UNL. The University of Nebraska Board of Regents will consider the recommendation at its Jan. 18 meeting.

In a related change, Ellen Weissinger, executive associate dean for graduate studies, will become dean of graduate studies, taking over this duty from Paul.

"Vice Chancellor Paul has been instrumental in expanding our research enterprise and in searching for ways to leverage that research for economic growth in Nebraska," chancellor Perlman said. "Increased opportunities build on success and I believe the university will be better served if he can focus his considerable energy in these areas. This will be a smooth transition given the demonstrated success Dean Weissinger has already displayed in her role as associate dean of graduate studies."

Paul has been vice chancellor for research since July 2001 and assumed duties as dean of graduate studies one year later. During his tenure at UNL, external funding for research has increased 63 percent to more than $100 million annually, the number of large research grants has grown substantially and several major federally funded interdisciplinary research centers have been established. Paul has also increased emphasis on commercializing UNL faculty's discoveries and inventions as a means of fueling economic development and has worked to expand relationships between UNL research and the business community.

Before coming to Nebraska, Paul was a faculty member at Iowa State University, where he also served as associate vice provost for research, associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Veterinary Medicine, and assistant director of the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station. Prior to that he spent seven years at the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa. Paul's scientific expertise is in virology.

Weissinger was named UNL's first executive associate dean for graduate studies July 1, 2002. Her previous administrative appointments at UNL include associate dean of Teachers College (1995-1999) and interim director of both the Buros Institute and Women's Studies. Her scholarly expertise is health and human performance.