After more than a year without a person to permanently lead the University of Iowa Research Office, the UI announced Thursday that J. Martin Scholtz will serve as the new vice president for Research.

Scholtz previously served as the executive vice president for research, as well as a professor in the Colleges of Medicine and Agriculture and Life Sciences, at Texas A&M University. He was one of two candidates who participated in public forums for the position in February.

In a statement, Scholtz said he is excited to join the UI community.

“As I expressed during my visits, the UI is a special place,” he said. “I am thrilled and honored to be able to join the team and support the outstanding faculty, staff, and students as we pursue excellence in research, scholarship, and creative activities at the university.”

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UI President Bruce Harreld praised Scholtz’s previous experience in teaching and biomedical research.

“He also understands the importance of training our next generation of undergraduate and graduate students to become excellent researchers,” Harreld said. “This combined focus on research and student success will make him an excellent partner on UI’s senior leadership team.”

Scholtz will begin his tenure on June 28, pending approval from the state Board of Regents. His annual salary will be $375,000.

Scholtz succeeds previous Vice President Daniel Reed, who stepped down in the fall of 2017. Current Graduate College Dean John Keller has since filled the role on an interim basis.

The UI restructured the position of the Office of the VP for Research and Economic Development in June 2018. The position previously encompassed both research and economic development, before the responsibility of economic development was shifted to the role of the chief innovation officer.

John Darsee was selected to fill the role of chief innovation officer in October of 2018.

“Dr. Scholtz brings to the newly defined VPR position a rare set of skills as well as breadth of experience and expertise,” UI art history Professor Dorothy Johnson, co-chair of the search committee tasked with hiring a new vice president for Research, said in a statement. “He impressed us with his passion for the research mission of the university across disciplines, his collegiality, and his collaborative approach. We believe strongly that he will help lead the university to new heights of distinguished research.”