Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to announce that Physics and Astronomy Professor Doug Natelson has been appointed interim vice provost for research. Doug will step into the role on July 1 and will remain in the position through September or until a vice president for research is in place.
A search for the vice president for research is underway and is being led by Isaacson, Miller, one of the country's premier executive search firms. More about the search and others that are in progress can be found here.
While in the role of interim vice provost for research, Doug will focus on overseeing research compliance, resource planning and ensuring the alignment of Rice’s research program goals with the institution’s mission.
Doug’s background as a department chair and his involvement on various vice provost for research committees makes him a good fit for the position. Doug chaired the Faculty Senate’s research committee from 2010 to 2014 and the Shared Equipment Authority from 2011 to 2016. He was chair of the Physics and Astronomy Department for six years, serving from July 2016 to July of this year.
Doug joined the faculty of the department in 2000 and shortly thereafter became a fellow of the Rice Quantum Institute and received a courtesy appointment in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He was promoted to associate professor in spring of 2006 and to full professor in spring of 2010. Doug became a courtesy appointee of Rice's Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering with its inception in 2013.
Doug’s research interests include experimental condensed matter physics, nanotechnology, nanostructures, nanoelectronics, strongly correlated materials and plasmonics.
I commend Doug for taking on this additional and important responsibility and know that all of you will work with and support Doug during his time with the Office of Research.
Regards,
Reginald DesRoches, Howard Hughes Provost