The University of Maryland and University of Maryland, Baltimore named Patrick O’Shea as their next research vice president, this university announced in a news release Monday.
O’Shea, who was this university’s vice president for research from 2011 to 2016, will manage research initiatives at the College Park and University of Maryland, Baltimore campuses in collaboration with both universities’ presidents, according to the announcement. He is set to step back into the role on July 1, succeeding Gregory Ball.
The university announced in January that Ball would be stepping down from his position after more than three years.
O’Shea is currently this university’s deputy vice president for research and an electrical and computer engineering professor. He also holds positions with the Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics and the physics department.
He will oversee research in areas such as quantum science, artificial intelligence, data science, national security and biomedical advancement for the College Park and Baltimore campuses, which together spend about $1.4 billion on research annually, according to Monday’s announcement.
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“I am honored to step into this role and deeply committed to ensuring that our two universities continue to rise as pinnacles of excellence, taking their places among the leading institutions in the world,” O’Shea wrote in the news release.
O’Shea added that his motivation to take on the position stems from his love for the state, the universities and the “many wonderful colleagues” he has worked with at both campuses.
O’Shea also previously served as president of University College Cork, Ireland after his first term as vice president for research at this university. He has also worked at Duke University and the University of California Los Alamos National Laboratory, according to the release.
During O’Shea’s first term as vice president for research, this university acquired a “record level of funding” from competitive grants and contracts, according to the release. O’Shea also helped establish this university’s research partnership with Baltimore’s campus, the release read.
“His extensive experience and distinguished scientific background make him well-suited to lead us into a new era of research,” university president Darryll Pines wrote in the news release. “Under his guidance, I’m confident we will continue Maryland’s strong upward momentum.”
