The University of Iowa announced the new Vice President of research on Thursday. After open forums and interviews were held throughout the fall, University of Iowa alum David Schwebel was named to the position. 

Schwebel will take on the role currently held by interim Vice President of Research Lois Geist, who took on the position after the former Vice President of Research Marty Scholtz stepped down. 

Schwebel is currently associate vice president for research facilities and infrastructure and university professor of psychology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and will finish up his role there until he takes on the new position. 

RELATED: UI brings candidates for VP of research to campus

“He is a distinguished scholar and an experienced administrator, and I look forward to working with him on ambitious research opportunities across the university,” UI President Barbara Wilson said in a press release Thursday. 

He is slated to start on July 1, 2025, pending Iowa Board of Regents approval.

“I am grateful for this special opportunity to return to Iowa City and serve the campus as vice president for research,” Schwebel said in a press release. 

Schwebel is also a Woodrow Wilson Scholar, a Fulbright Award winner, and a fellow with the American Psychological Association. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Transportation, and many more groups.

Pending approval from the Regents, he will bring his expertise to campus starting in the 2025 school year. 

“I look forward to supporting and accelerating the productivity and impact of the impressive research, scholarship, and creative activity that Iowa faculty, students, and staff conduct to improve the lives of people across Iowa and around the world,” Schwebel said. “It will be an honor to play a role in that effort.”