MU Vice Chancellor for Research Takes Position at Rice

June 29, 2007

Story Contact:  Christian Basi, 573-882-4430, BasiC@missouri.edu

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Jim Coleman, vice chancellor for research at the University of Missouri-Columbia, has announced that he will leave his position to become the vice provost for research at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Coleman will begin his position at Rice in mid-September.

"Rice is one of the great private institutions in the country and this is a great opportunity for me," Coleman said. "I truly love MU and hope that I might find my way back here in the future. MU is run by a fantastic administrative team that goes to work everyday solely to make this institution the best university it can be. MU has incredibly talented faculty whose research is truly changing the world and yet these faculty are committed to educating and enriching the lives of students, and the quality of our students and our alumni is truly breathtaking and world-class."

Coleman came to MU in 2003 as vice provost for research. In 2007, he was promoted to vice chancellor for research. During his tenure, MU experienced record-breaking funding levels from federal, state and private sources. Last year, MU researchers received more than $174 million in external research funding that was spent to conduct research in a wide variety of disciplines across campus. Also during Coleman's tenure, MU and the University of Missouri System started development of the first stage of Discovery Ridge, a research park located on a 114-acre site at MU's South Farm.

"Jim has been a vital part of our success and we thank him for his years of service to this institution," MU Provost Brian Foster said. "His leadership and dedication to MU has been an inspiration for our scientists, and he has moved us forward tremendously with his work in technology transfer, helping to turn our discoveries into services, products and information that have improved the quality of life for all Missourians. We will miss him and wish him the best in his new position."

Previously, Coleman has served as the vice president for research and business development of the Desert Research Institute in Nevada, project director for Nevada's National Science Foundation Experimental Program, professor of biology at Syracuse University, and program officer at the National Science Foundation.