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Dr.
R. Ariel Gomez Is Appointed Vice President For Research And Graduate
Studies
June 16, 2003 --
Dr. R. Ariel Gomez, the Robert J. Roberts Professor
of Pediatrics at the University of Virginia, has been named vice
president for research and graduate studies, University officials
announced today.
Gomez
has served as the interim vice president for research and graduate
studies since August 2001.
Gomez,
who joined the U.Va. faculty in 1984, has served as a special adviser
on research to Vice President and Provost Gene D. Block. He also
served on the University’s Virginia 2020 Science and Technology
Planning Commission.
An
active researcher, Gomez also is director of the U.Va. Center for
Organogenesis and the NIH-supported Center of Excellence in Pediatric
Nephrology. His research focuses on kidney development.
U.Va.
President John T. Casteen III said of the appointment, “The
University is fortunate to have a scientist of Dr. Gomez’s
stature lead the University’s research mission. He will be
the driving force behind the pursuit of new knowledge that will
benefit the Commonwealth and the nation.”
“We
were impressed with Ariel’s vision for moving the University
forward in science and technology,” Block said. “It
is very important and valuable to have the insight and leadership
of a successful and respected active researcher in this office.”
Gomez
said his goal is to take advantage of the University’s strengths,
to bring the University into “the higher echelons of the top
research universities.”
He
said the University will succeed because of the high quality of
its work and significant support from the Board of Visitors, the
administration and faculty, and students and alumni.
“The
entire University is behind the idea that we should be outstanding
in the sciences as well as the humanities,” he said.
Gomez
said the biggest issues he is facing, particularly during a period
of tight budget constraints, are to retain top faculty, to attract
outstanding new faculty, and to improve and increase the infrastructure
and space for research. He also plans to advance graduate student
programs, “the core of the research mission,” while
improving diversity and inclusiveness.
Gomez
will continue to pursue his own research as he leads the office.
He is known for working long hours in his office and lab.
The
author of numerous scientific articles, Gomez was an editorial board
member of the journals Hypertension, American Journal of Physiology,
and Pediatric Nephrology, and has been a reviewer for 18 other journals.
He has served on numerous grant review committees including the
cardiovascular and renal NIH study section and was a member of the
two NIH task forces that identified the research needs of children
and adults with renal diseases.
He
received his M.D. degree from the University of Buenos Aires and
completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Iowa and
University of California San Francisco.
Contact:
Fariss Samarrai, (434) 924-3778
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