About Us
The Office of the Vice President for Research leads and partners with many of the University’s research offices in an effort to forward Rochester’s research mission. Learn more about the offices that report to us, our collaborations, the committees we support—and meet the leadership and team who helps make it all happen.
Mission and vision
The Office of the Vice President for Research serves to enhance research initiatives at the University. In collaboration with our offices, we strive to support Rochester faculty and staff through all their research endeavors.
Our office also provides strategic oversight in shaping the future of research at the University, articulating a vision for the research enterprise, and positioning the University at the forefront of research innovation.
As a leading research institution, we have a deep understanding of the value of research—and particularly, the importance of how our research and our classrooms intersect. We aim to enrich the University’s academic enterprise, which is essential in providing a higher education experience that is uniquely Rochester.
VP for Research
Meet Stephen Dewhurst
Stephen Dewhurst, PhD, was named Vice President for Research on June 20, 2023. An accomplished virologist and HIV researcher, and respected scientific and academic leader who has been serving in the interim role since 2021, Dewhurst has been appointed to this key leadership role by University President Sarah Mangelsdorf, and following Board of Trustees approval.
Dewhurst has extensive research and academic experience in the health sciences space. He joined the University as a professor in 1990, and has served as Vice Dean for Research at URMC since 2013.
Our team
Sharon Pomeroy
Administrator, Office of the Vice President for Research
Partnerships and collaborations
Offices we oversee
Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA)
Helps researchers navigate funding, proposals, and sponsored research activities
Office for Human Subject Protection (OHSP)
Ensuring that we protect research participants’ rights, welfare, and safety
UR Ventures
Guiding and protecting intellectual property that comes from our research
Research partnerships
We work closely with a variety of offices and groups at the University, including Rochester’s many research centers and institutes. In addition, we partner with the following offices:
Undergraduate Research
Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs
Advancement and Alumni Relations
Government and Community Relations
Faculty Senate
Office of Counsel
University IT
Libraries
Office of Equity and Inclusion
Research and Academic IT
Office of the Provost
Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE)
Committees
The Office of the Vice President for Research has representation across the following committees:
Committee membership:
- Steve Dewhurst (chair, Vice President for Research)
- Jim Brickley
- Paula Vertino
- Clayton Cox
- Nicole Sampson
- Samantha Daley
- Chris Deeney
- Tom Diekwisch
- Wendi Heinzelman
- Dale Hess
- Sally Norton
- Libby Reitz
- Peter Robinson
- Melissa Sturge-Apple
- John Tarduno
- Dave Williams
- Martin Zand
Purpose: The RCC’s purpose is to be generally knowledgeable about compliance issues facing the research enterprise and to ensure that the key legal and compliance enterprise risks are identified and addressed.
Committee membership:
- Vice President for Research (co-chair)
- Associate Vice President, Office of Research and Project Administration (co-chair)
- Assistant Controller, Office of Research Accounting and Costing Standards
- Chief Audit Executive, Office of Audit
- Associate Vice President, Office for Human Subject Protection
- Chair, University Committee on Animal Resources
- Director, Environmental Health and Safety
- Associate Vice President, Environmental Health and Safety
- Vice Dean for Research, School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Dean for Research, Arts, Sciences & Engineering
- Office of Counsel Representative
- Research Compliance Officer
- Faculty Representatives
- Dr. Emma Ciafaloni, Professor of Neurology
- Dr. Spencer Rosero, Professor and Chief of Cardiology
- Doug Kelley, Professor of Mechanical Engineering
- Amanda Larracuente, Associate Professor of Biology
Committee membership:
- Vice President for Research (chair)
- Research Security Officer / Global Operations Director
- Vice Provost for Global Engagement
- Associate Vice President, Office of Research and Project Administration
- Associate Vice President of Government and Community Relations
- Research Policy Committee of the Faculty Senate Representative
- Dean of the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences
- Vice Dean for Research, School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Dean for Research, Arts, Sciences & Engineering
- Export Control Officer
- Director, Laboratory for Laser Energetics
- Office of Counsel Representative
connect with us
Ready to reach out?
We’re excited to work together to forward the research enterprise at Rochester. Reach out to our office with any questions or to start a conversation.