December 20, 2016
Beth Montelone named senior associate vice president for research
Beth Montelone, professor of biology and associate dean for research in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been named senior associate vice president for research.
The senior associate vice president for research serves as a liaison to the vice president for research and has many responsibilities, including:
- Representing the Office of the Vice President for Research at events and meetings.
- Facilitating faculty, postdoc and student development through the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs with the assistance of the Graduate School, development directors and supporting staff.
- Supporting the K-State 2025 visionary plan through pursuing strategic planning for core facilities, centers and institutes and their initiatives.
- Spearheading special projects and promoting interdisciplinary and interinstitutional projects and grants.
- Overseeing the Associate Deans for Research Council and issues in research related to Conflict of Interest and Appendix O — Research and Academic Misconduct.
Montelone brings a wealth of research and administrative experience to the position. She has served as associate dean for research in the College of Arts and Sciences since 2004 and has demonstrated success in engaging and collaborating with colleagues across campus to execute complex projects and funding proposals. She has managed activities and programs for early career faculty and worked with departments to improve research infrastructure. Montelone also has extensive experience in research compliance and served as interim research director at the Biosecurity Research Institute from 2008-2011, and she has served as an advisor the K-State Postdoctoral Association.
Peter Dorhout, vice president for research, said Montelone is a great fit for the position.
"Beth's leadership style is highly collaborative, and she has the right kind of experience to help our faculty succeed in the competitive funding environment we face. K-State research expenditures need to grow roughly 6.5 percent a year for us to meet our 2025 goals, and I'm confident she can help us make that happen," he said.
Montelone said she is looking forward to serving K-State in a new capacity.
"I look forward to working with faculty from across the university to build interdisciplinary teams and facilitate program project grant submission, which will be two priority areas for me," Montelone said.
Montelone holds a doctorate in biology from the University of Rochester. She completed postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Miami School of Medicine and the University of Iowa before joining the K-State Division of Biology in 1988. Her areas of research expertise are in genetics, molecular genetics, molecular biology, yeast biology, biology education and human resource development in STEM. Her work has been funded by several federal agencies including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as by private foundations.
Montelone replaces Mary Rezac, who has served as interim associate vice president for research since August 2015. Montelone will assume the role on Jan. 15, 2017. Contact her at bethmont@k-state.edu or call 785-532-6195 to reach her in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.