UNLV Research Council

The UNLV Research Council serves as an advisory body to the Vice President for Research to advance UNLV’s research agenda. The role of the council includes providing advice and recommendations on strategic research directions and action items; research policies, procedures, and planning; internal faculty award programs; increasing competitive award funding. Council members serve staggered terms (three years) and are appointed by the Vice President for Research and Economic Development. The members include representatives from the faculty, the Faculty Senate, and the Executive Vice President and Provost’s Office.

Role and Mission Statement

The UNLV Research Council serves as an advisory body to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development to provide review and advice regarding University research policies, procedures, and strategies to advance UNLV’s stature as a Carnegie research-intensive university. The role of the Council includes but is not limited to providing advice and recommendations on:

  • Strategic research directions and action items
  • Research policies, procedures, and information
  • Internal faculty award programs
  • Increasing competitive grant awards
  • Promoting and increasing interdisciplinary research on and off campus
  • Implementing the Top Tier strategic plan

Council members serve staggered terms (3 years) and are appointed by the Vice President for Research and Economic Development.

Membership & Terms

Term through June 2020

  • Jennifer Pharr – School of Community Health Sciences
  • Jennifer Kawi – School of Nursing
  • Ernesto Abel-Santos – College of Sciences (Council Chair)
  • Brad Donohue – College of Liberal Arts

Term through June 2019

  • Anjala Krishen – School of Business Tamara
  • Madensen – College of Urban Affairs
  • Ruben Garcia – School of Law

Term through June 2018

  • Tony Lucas – College of Hotel Administration (sabbatical Fall 2017 – Sunny Kim to fill-in)
  • Kwang Kim – College of Engineering
  • Lisa Bendixen – College of Education (Faculty Senate representative)

Permanent, Ex-Officio

  • Mary Croughan – Vice President for Research and Economic Development
  • Zach Miles – Office of Economic Development
  • Lori Olafson – Office of Research Integrity
  • Liam Frink – Office of Undergraduate Research
  • Raegen Pietrucha – Research Communications
  • Robin Toles – Office of the Vice President for Research
  • Jill Zimbelman – Office of the Vice President for Research

Effective 2017-2018

Council for Centers, Institutes, Museums, & Labs

The Council is responsible for initial review and recommendation of proposals for new centers, institutes, museums, and laboratories as well as for conducting annual reviews of existing units. These units are primarily directed toward basic/applied research, client or public service, policy studies and reports, or serve as an archive/repository.

Recommendations from the Council are forwarded to the Vice President for Research. The Vice President for Research, in turn, makes a recommendation to the Executive Vice President and Provost. Requests for new centers, institutes, museums and laboratories are then forwarded for processing through the Chancellor’s Office and the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents. After a new center, institute, museum or laboratory is approved by the Board of Regents, the day-to-day operational administration and oversight typically is managed through an academic department, school, or college.

Council Members

Ex-Officio

Associate Deans for Research

The Associate Deans for Research serve in an advisory capacity to the Vice President for Research, but also provide a critical formal link back to the colleges on important research issues. The associate deans serve as liaisons of their colleges to the Division of Research, offering insights into the interests of their faculty and students, promoting the research of their respective colleges, and helping inform the institutional research agenda.

Membership List