Southern Illinois University Museum recently issued the following announcement.
Gary R. Kinsel, a professor of analytical chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is the university’s new interim vice chancellor for research. His appointment was approved by the university’s Board of Trustees on May 16.
Kinsel, a research chemist who has been with the university since 2005, said that he came to SIU “because of the incredible research energy on campus” and he looks forward to recapturing that momentum and using it to move the institution forward.
Chancellor John M. Dunn said Kinsel brings a deep commitment to furthering the university’s research mission to the position.
“Dr. Kinsel values the role of research in solving regional and global challenges,” Dunn said. “He also understands that research opportunities attract both students and faculty and provide added value to our students’ educational experiences.”
Research is ‘a defining cornerstone’ of the university
Kinsel said he wants to play a role in advancing and promoting the research aspect of the university. He believes that research in the broadest sense, and doctoral-level research specifically, sets SIU apart. He also notes that SIU has the distinction of being the only doctoral research university in the region.
“The students who attend SIU Carbondale, both graduate and undergraduate, have unparalleled opportunities to participate in societally impactful research not available to them at other institutions,” Kinsel said.
Will seek to further highlight research work and increase support
The interim vice chancellor for research reports directly to the chancellor. The vice chancellor for research is an advocate for the research, scholarly, and creative mission of the university, including developing strategic, multidisciplinary and collaborative research initiatives.
Beyond serving as an advocate for the range of impressive research already underway on campus, Kinsel said that he hopes to find ways to both highlight the work of and increase support for the various research centers and support units on campus.
“These centers and units bring visibility to the university and are crucial to advance the research efforts of many of the faculty on campus,” he said. “It is also a goal of mine to look for ways to broaden the engagement of undergraduates in the faculty-led research activities already underway on campus.”
Kinsel added that the undergraduate research experiences are invaluable for students and offer “incredible opportunities” to develop new material for use in recruiting new students. He said he also looks forward to “playing an aggressive role in the hiring and support of the next generation of research active faculty at SIU Carbondale – faculty who will carry this university into the future through their innovative research efforts.”
Joined SIU Carbondale in 2005
Kinsel earned his doctorate in analytical chemistry at the University of Colorado-Boulder in 1989. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Western Illinois University in 1983.
Kinsel joined SIU Carbondale as a professor of analytical chemistry in 2005 and served as department chair in chemistry and biochemistry from February 2007 to August 2016. Prior to coming to SIU, Kinsel was an assistant professor of analytical chemistry and director of the Mass Spectrometry Facility at the University of Texas at Arlington beginning in 1994 and became an associate professor there in 2000. His post-doctoral work included roles at the Technical University Garching and Texas A&M University. He also served as a visiting research faculty at the ETH Zentrum in Switzerland.
Kinsel is replacing Jim Garvey, who announced earlier this year he was stepping down after nearly six years in the role. Garvey will continue as director of the Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences.
Original source can be found here.
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