Dr. Cynthia Carnes Named Vice President for Research and Innovation

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Cynthia Carnes will join the University of Minnesota as Vice President for Research and Innovation beginning July 31, pending Board of Regents approval. In this critical leadership role, Cynthia will serve as the University’s chief research officer across all campuses and locations and as a key member of the Cabinet. She will report directly to me.

An accomplished researcher and administrator, Dr. Carnes brings the strategic vision, operational excellence and change management expertise needed to propel our research enterprise forward. She has a proven track-record of partnering across a multi-campus, land grant University to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, implement new systems, develop comprehensive training to support researchers, investigators and administrative staff, and recently piloted innovative AI tools to support regulated research activities.

Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for our University, as we continue to advance our “Elevate Extraordinary 2030” strategic roadmap, sustain and strengthen our excellence in research and innovation, and navigate the headwinds facing higher education, including a highly competitive environment for research funding.

Dr. Carnes currently serves as Senior Associate Vice President for Research Operations at the Ohio State University Enterprise for Research, Innovation, and Knowledge (ERIK), a role she has held since 2022. A distinguished scholar, she is also the ENGIE-Axium Endowed Chair and Professor of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology at the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy.

She has also been recognized as a Fellow of the American Heart Association (Basic Science Council), Heart Rhythm Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science for her landmark contributions to the field of cardiovascular research.

I want to extend my deep appreciation to Dr. Joanne Billings for the strong leadership she has provided to the Research and Innovation Office (RIO) on an interim basis and thank her for her continued commitment to the University as she returns to her role as associate vice president for research integrity and compliance in RIO, and continues her clinical practice and longstanding research on cystic fibrosis within the Medical School.

I’d also like to express my gratitude to the search committee, led by co-chairs Gretchen Ritter, Executive Vice President and Provost and Rick Huebsch, Associate Vice President for Technology Commercialization, for their time and service.

Looking ahead, the University and RIO will also immediately begin a national search for a Senior AVP for Research Strategy and Innovation. The senior AVP will be an important member of the RIO leadership team and responsible for partnering across the institution to bolster research activity and advance the University’s profile and partnerships across Minnesota, the nation and around the world.

Thanks to each of you for your ongoing dedication. Because of you, I am extremely optimistic about our future and the lasting impact we will have in Minnesota and beyond.

With gratitude,

Rebecca Cunningham
President