Brown names Savitz VP of research

PROFESSOR OF epidemiology, obstetrics and gynecology David Savitz will take over as vice president of research at Brown University, effective Sept. 1. / COURTESY BROWN UNIVERSITY
PROFESSOR OF epidemiology, obstetrics and gynecology David Savitz will take over as vice president of research at Brown University, effective Sept. 1. / COURTESY BROWN UNIVERSITY

PROVIDENCE – Brown University has named David Savitz, currently professor of epidemiology in the Brown School of Public Health and professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the Warren Alpert School of Medicine, as its new vice president of research.

Savitz will take up the new mantle on Sept. 1, succeeding the current vice president Clyde Briant, who announced in January that he plans to return to the faculty in the School of Engineering at the end of the current academic year.

Susan Alcock, the Joukowsky Family Professor of Archaeology will serve as interim vice president of research during the summer months, until Savitz takes over in September.

“David is both an active researcher and an experienced and talented administrator,” Brown Provost Provost Mark Schlissel said in prepared remarks. “His work on public health issues has underscored the value of well-supported university research programs in building healthier communities and stronger economies. I look forward to his work here as Brown continues to build its research enterprise.”

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Brown established the position of vice president of research in the fall of 2002 to “consolidate and strengthen administrative support for research,” according to a university release. The office serves as a primary advocate for faculty research, facilitates grant applications, manages research support and reporting and proves a variety of “seed” grant for proposals.

The office also helps coordinate intellectual property efforts including patents, licensing and business startups.

“Since my arrival at Brown two and a half years ago, I have enjoyed an academic culture that values innovation, collaboration, teaching, and engagement with the community beyond campus,” Savitz said in a statement. “This is an exciting time for Brown. I look forward to helping shape and enhance such a promising research environment.”

Savitz is a graduate of Brandeis University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He also holds a master’s degree in preventative medicine from Ohio State University and a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh.

Savitz is a member of the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine and is the author of nearly 350 papers in professional journals and editor or author of three books on environmental epidemiology.

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