Sui Selected as Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation

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Dan Sui

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Daniel Sui has been named vice chancellor for research and innovation at the University of Arkansas, effective Oct. 1.

Sui currently serves as division director for the Social and Economic Sciences Division in the Directorate of Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences at the National Science Foundation and as an Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor at The Ohio State University.

“Dan Sui is an internationally renowned researcher who has conducted groundbreaking work in the interdisciplinary use of geographic information science to solve problems in diverse areas such as urban planning, environmental science and public health. He has also played key administrative leadership roles in research, education and interdisciplinary programs and will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from Texas A&M, Ohio State and the National Science Foundation,” said Jim Coleman, executive vice chancellor and provost. “We are delighted to bring him on board.”

“He is thoughtful and strategic, and his skills and experience make him an excellent choice to take the lead role in developing and implementing strategies to enhance the university’s research and discovery mission,” Chancellor Joe Steinmetz said.

“I’d like to give a truly heartfelt thanks to Kim Needy for so effectively leading the Office of Research and Innovation during this transition and co-chairing the search with Trish Starks,” Coleman said. “And thanks to the entire search committee for their hard work and diligence in identifying candidates for this important post.”

Greenwood/Asher and Associates provided support services for the search.

As the chief research officer, Sui will report directly to Coleman and will be responsible for building the university’s research program, developing and improving research infrastructure and capacity, and energizing innovation. He will work with faculty, deans, administrative leadership and stakeholders in federal, industrial and non-profit organizations.

Sui will oversee research administration, research compliance, the planning and optimization of research space and shared instrumentation, interdisciplinary research centers, undergraduate research and the University of Arkansas Press.  

“The university’s new strategic plan developed under the strong leadership of Chancellor Steinmetz and Provost Coleman will transform the University of Arkansas from being an excellent R1 research university to an eminent global university. I am thrilled to join the campus leadership team and work with all the stakeholders to implement the strategic plan by strengthening the U of A’s signature research areas while also significantly expanding the university’s research into many new uncharted territories,” said Sui.

Sui earned a Bachelor of Science in geography and a Master of Science in remote sensing and geographic information systems from Peking University in Beijing, China. He received his Doctor of Philosophy in geography from the University of Georgia in Athens. Sui is an internationally renowned researcher in the area of GIS-based spatial analysis and modeling for urban, environmental and public health applications.

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.