UNM Professor John McGraw, Department of Physics and Astronomy, has been appointed interim vice president for Research and Economic Development announced Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Chaouki Abdallah. The appointment is effective July 15.
"John clearly demonstrates an energy and earnest desire to strengthen research at UNM," said Abdallah. "In addition to being an accomplished researcher and teacher, he brings to the office an articulate vision for the research enterprise that emphasizes university-wide communication."
McGraw's portfolio of duties will include serving as the senior administrative official responsible for UNM's Main Campus research. He will work closely with UNM leadership in guiding institutional strategic planning for research, outreach and sponsored program development over the course of the next year.
"I am pleased to hear of John's appointment," said Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Search Committee Chair Barbara McCrady and director of the Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions (CASAA). "He is passionately committed to supporting researchers and to building research at UNM."
McGraw received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. and his Master of Arts and Ph.D. degrees in Astronomy from the University of Texas-Austin. He joined the UNM faculty in 1992 and is currently a Professor of Physics and Astronomy. During his academic career at UNM, McGraw has been a principal investigator and project director for several large multi-million dollar sponsored research projects. He was also the founding faculty chair of the UNM Executive Research Advisory Committee (ERAC), and was a member of the Research Budget Advisory Committee.
Media contact: Karen Wentworth (505) 277-5627; email: kwent2@unm.edu