FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The last public presentation by two finalists for the position of vice provost for research and innovation will be from 2:30-3:30 p.m. today, June 18, in Room 26 of Gearhart Hall.

The vice provost for research and innovation leads the U of A's research and discovery mission, one of the eight guiding priorities in the university's academic strategic plan. The VPRI is tasked with building the research mission across disciplines through strategic leadership, improved infrastructure and research capacity and by energizing innovation across campus. The position oversees the university's interdisciplinary research centers, including the High Performance Computing Center, undergraduate research, research compliance, research award development and management, and the University of Arkansas Press. The VPRI also works collaboratively with the vice chancellor for economic development on industry engagement, technology commercialization and the University of Arkansas Research and Technology Park.

Vice provost for research and innovation finalists

• Daniel Sui is division director for Social and Economic Sciences Division, Directorate of Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences at the National Science Foundation and Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor at The Ohio State University. He earned a Bachelor of Science in geography and Master of Science in remote sensing and geographic information systems from Peking University in Beijing, China. He received his Ph.D. in geography from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. His public seminar was held Monday, June 11, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in GEAR 26.

• Robert Nobles II is associate vice chancellor for research and research integrity at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He earned a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology and Master of Public Health in epidemiology from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida and received his Ph.D. in public health from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. His public seminar will be held Monday, June 18, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in GEAR 26.

A third candidate, Lynne Parker, withdrew from consideration last week after accepting another position.

More information on the candidates, including curriculum vitae, can be found on the VPRI search website and candidate page. Each of the public seminar presentations will be recorded on video and links to the videos will also be available for viewing by anyone with a uark email address.

The campus is invited to provide feedback on the candidates  to the search committee through an online form.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.