UNT's first vice president for research and technology transfer named

T. Lloyd Chesnut has been named UNT's first vice president for research and technology transfer — a position that serves as the university's chief research officer, promoting UNT's mission in research, original scholarship and artistic creativity. The UNT System Board of Regents approved the appointment last month in its regular quarterly meeting.

Chesnut, currently the vice president for research and development at the University of Montana-Missoula, begins work at UNT July 1. In addition to serving as the chief research officer, his duties will include providing the executive and administrative leadership for the UNT Research Park, developing and executing the park's strategic plan, and managing its operations and external relations. Chesnut will also hold the rank of professor with tenure in the Department of Biological Sciences.

The UNT Research Park is envisioned as a partnership between the university, the city of Denton and the corporate and entrepreneurial communities of the region. Its goal is to strengthen the region's technical base and accelerate UNT's development as a major research university.

"This new vice president position is one of the most important and challenging opportunities for leadership at this university, and Dr. Chesnut's experience perfectly suits him for the role," says Norval Pohl, UNT president. "Lloyd Chesnut is a proven administrator and researcher, and we are excited to bring him to UNT."

Since 1997, Chesnut has held his current position at the University of Montana-Missoula, where he coordinates the research, technology transfer and economic development on all four campuses of UM, and serves as the contact with the state's congressional delegation.

Under his leadership, the external funding for educational support and scholarship increased significantly. He developed and implemented a plan to leverage western Montana's economy through the development of a university-related small business incubator, a research park and technology corridor.

"I am very pleased to have the opportunity to join UNT's administrative team and lead the advancement of the university's research and economic development agenda," Chesnut says. "The university faculty, facilities and strong regional, community and corporate support provide tremendous potential for establishing UNT as major research university and a significant contributor to economic development in North Texas."

Prior to working for UM, Chesnut was vice president for research and graduate studies at Ohio University from 1990 to 1997 and associate provost at that institution from 1987 to 1990. In addition, he held administrative positions at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, and Georgia College and State University. He also spent a year as a senior scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C., while on leave from Georgia College. He has also served on the faculty of University of Central Florida.

During his career, Chesnut negotiated a $22 million educational development contract with the Ukrainian Ministry of Education; moved Ohio University from Doctoral I to Research Institution II status as classified by the Carnegie Foundation in a six-year period; and developed a program to improve minority graduate student recruitment.

Chesnut received his bachelor's degree in 1965, master's degree in 1966 and doctoral degree in 1969, all from Mississippi State University.

BY KELLEY REESE kreese@unt.edu

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• How the HIPAA privacy rule affects UNT researchers
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• Changes coming to UNT faculty election process

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