Microbiologist had been Dean of the School of Biological Sciences
Dr. Lawrence Dreyfus has been named to the position of Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, for a three-year term effective July 1, 2012.
Dr. Gail Hackett, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, announced Dreyfus’ appointment.
“Dr. Dreyfus is taking over one of the most important positions at this university at a pivotal moment, when research advancements are viewed as the cornerstone for the future of the greater Kansas City community. It is a big job, but I am confident that Lawrence Dreyfus is equal to the challenge,” Hackett said. Planning for a transition at the School of Biological Sciences is now underway, Hackett added.
Dreyfus, currently Dean of the School of Biological Sciences at UMKC, succeeds Dr. Lynda Bonewald. Dr. Bonewald will continue 25 percent time in a position as Vice Chancellor for Clinical/Translational Research, to assist the University in hiring a Director for the UMKC Center for Clinical and Translational Research and in getting that Center up and running. Once the Center is operational Dr. Bonewald plans to return to her full-time faculty position as Curators Professor and Lefkowitz Professor in Oral Biology, Director of the Mineralized Tissue Program in Oral Biology and Director of the UMKC Center of Excellence in Dental and Musculoskeletal Tissues.
Dreyfus thanked Hackett and Chancellor Leo E. Morton for their confidence in him, and Bonewald for her hard work as interim Vice Chancellor.
“We are Kansas City’s research university. Our charge is to be nationally and internationally recognized for our exceptional research and I am excited by that challenge and the opportunities that lie ahead,” Dreyfus said. “We are all very grateful to Dr. Bonewald for her willingness to temporarily put aside her research program to serve her university and her community, and I look forward to working closely with her during this transition period, and beyond.”
Dreyfus received a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Kansas University in 1971, a Master of Science in Microbiology from Michigan State University in 1978 and a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Kansas University in 1982. Following post-doctoral research training in microbial pathogenesis at the Oregon Health Sciences University, he joined the faculty at the University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston. He came to UMKC in 1991, initially as an Associate Professor in the Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics, School of Biological Sciences and was promoted to the rank of Professor in 2001. He was appointed Dean of the School of Biological Sciences in 2003. During his tenure as Dean of the School of Biological Sciences he oversaw several changes within that School including a nearly three-fold growth in undergraduate enrollments and an expansion of their graduate programs. Over the years, Dean Dreyfus has served on several university-wide committees and served as chair of the Dean Search Committee for UMKC’s School of Computing and Engineering in 2005, and the Conservatory of Music and Dance in 2008.
Over the years Dreyfus has been responsible for attracting more than $2 million in total extramural research support for his research on the structure and function of microbial toxins and other initiatives. Dreyfus received the N.T. Veatch Award for Distinguished Research and Creativity in 1997; the UMKC Trustees Faculty Fellows Award for Outstanding Research in 1998; and the UMKC SHARES Award for Creative Research and Teaching in 2002. He has served on the NASA Life Sciences Grant Application Review Panel; the National Institutes of Health Division of Research Grants, Bacteriology and Mycology Study Section; the Genome Canada Program Project Review Panel; and the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Project Review Panel.
The vice chancellor for research and economic development oversees UMKC’s Office of Research Services and all UMKC research and economic development initiatives. The office provides proposal and budget development support to faculty and staff to identify and secure research grants and contracts; support for responsible management of funds awarded, consistent with university policy, requirements of funding sources, and federal regulations; compliance with federal, state, local and institutional regulatory practices; and maintains an Office of Technology Transfer to help UMKC researchers share their discoveries with the world.
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development also oversees the Institute for Human Development, an applied research and training center for human services; and the UMKC Innovation Center, which partners with the university and the community to spark entrepreneurial efforts that translate research discoveries and innovations into profitable, job-creating businesses.
About the University of Missouri-Kansas City
The University of Missouri-Kansas City, one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.