Colorado State University names Alan Rudolph Vice President for Research

Note to Reporters: A photo of Alan Rudolph is available with this release at news.colostate.edu

Alan Rudolph has been named the new Vice President for Research for Colorado State University. He most recently served as director of Biological and Chemical Technologies for the Department of Defense/Department of Homeland Security, as well as an adjunct professor at the Duke Medical School Center for Neuroengineering.

“I believe Dr. Rudolph’s unique blend of experience in the public service, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial sectors – and his longstanding leadership in interdisciplinary, translational R&D in both the public and private sectors — will help ensure we have the critical, strategic leadership we need at a time when the competition for research funding is more competitive than at any time in the past half century,” said CSU Provost and Executive Vice President Rick Miranda.

Rudolph will begin his duties at CSU on Sept. 30, replacing retiring Vice President for Research Bill Farland, who has held the position since 2006.

“Conducting research that can improve our understanding and help invoke positive change in the lives of people worldwide is a cornerstone of our University’s mission,” said CSU President Tony Frank. “I look forward to working with Alan to continue to advance the discovery capabilities of our faculty and their labs, and foster an environment where research can translate into real-world solutions.”

Colorado State is one of the nation’s top research universities, with annual research expenditures topping $300 million. Research spending for fiscal year 2013 totaled $313.2 million, representing a third of the University’s budget.

The Vice President for Research serves as the chief institutional advocate and facilitator for faculty research activities and is responsible for programmatic excellence in research for Colorado State University. The Office of the Vice President for is the primary liaison with federal research officials and agencies; identifies and manages research opportunities; and develops and oversees interdisciplinary programs and research centers, institutes and other special programs.

Before joining DHS, Rudolph was Director of Chemical and Biological Technologies at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency where he managed research and development in biological and chemical defense. Prior to these positions, he founded and served as CEO of two successful biotech startup companies, Adlyfe and Cellphire. In 2006, he started the International Neuroscience Network Foundation, a global nonprofit with a mission to support research and education programs in developing countries.

Rudolph also managed research and development portfolios for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in broad areas of life sciences and biotechnology and was a principle investigator for 10 years at the Naval Research Laboratory. Over his career, Rudolph has managed over $1.2 billion in research and development investments and published more than 100 peer-reviewed technical papers across a variety of disciplines in biophysics, cell biology, robotics, tissue engineering, physiology, hematology and immunology.

He holds a doctorate degree in Zoology from the University of California at Davis and an MBA from the George Washington University.

“I am thrilled to be part of Colorado State’s renowned research program.” Rudolph said. “I look forward to furthering the University’s international reputation for research across a diverse landscape and nurturing global impact for the investments in science and technology on the campus. Most importantly, I look forward to being an advocate and resource for the extraordinary faculty in Fort Collins.”