David Calkins, PhD, director of the Vanderbilt Vision Research Center and vice chair and director for Research of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, has been appointed Assistant Vice President for Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
“Dr. Calkins is internationally recognized for his discoveries and translation of molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in diseases affecting the visual system,” said Jennifer Pietenpol, PhD, Executive Vice President for Research at VUMC and director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, in announcing the appointment.
In addition to his research and academic accomplishments, Calkins has been a key contributor to the Medical Center Strategic Directions, a strategy framework led by VUMC Chief Strategy Officer William “Bill” Stead, MD, Pietenpol and Reed Omary, MD, chair of the Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences.
Earlier this year, Calkins co-chaired StrategyShare, an annual event showcasing innovative work being done to advance the three Strategic Directions: Design for Patients and Families; Make Diversity and Inclusion Intentional; and Discover, Learn and Share.
In his new role, Calkins will continue to produce StrategyShare and will oversee annual Strategic Directions work. His role will include partnering with the Strategy and Innovation Office team to oversee strategy sessions for research centers and institutes throughout VUMC.
“I am incredibly excited about the dynamic vision, creativity and leadership expertise Dave will bring to the Strategic Directions work and advancing the research enterprise at large in his new role,” Pietenpol said.
“I feel exceptionally honored to be asked to undertake new responsibilities to promote innovation in the VUMC research enterprise,” said Calkins, the Denis M. O’Day, MBBS, Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. “VUMC is a unique organization, one I am most proud to help lead.”
Calkins will also work with Pietenpol to assess research space productivity and with other Medical Center leaders to design a research data storage and computing strategy for the laboratories and cores. He will also serve on the Information Privacy and Security Executive Committee.
