DETROIT—Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid announced that the university’s Division of Research has two new leaders. As of July 1, Hilary Ratner, associate provost, dean of the Graduate School, director of international programs and professor of psychology, and Joseph Dunbar, chair of the Department of Physiology, were named Vice President and Associate Vice President of Research, respectively.

“Dr. Ratner is a proven administrator with the ability to drive major initiatives to a successful conclusion, foster teamwork, energize others and clearly articulate and implement the university’s vision,” President Reid said. “Dr. Dunbar, who also will be Chief Scientific Advisor to the Dean of the School of Medicine, has shown a long-term commitment to the success and vitality of Wayne State.

“The actions they take now will be crucial and have the potential to shape the university for years to come.”

Last year, Wayne State received a planning grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in order to prepare an application to join NIH’s consortium for a Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA). When operational, the CTSA program will unite 60 institutions to stimulate clinical and translational science.

Both Ratner and Dunbar will be working to ensure that Wayne State attains a spot in the program. Ratner already is co-chair of the university’s CTSA project. The two also will encourage faculty to increase the number of research proposals and will renew emphasis on key areas such as psychology, chemistry, physics and engineering to receive more grants in the future.

The Michigan Legislature’s decision to withhold $23.2 million in funding to the university creates challenges for achieving these goals. Ratner, who earned a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Massachusetts, says she will meet these challenges directly.

“There are no problems that do not have solutions,” she said during an introductory luncheon. “I’m willing to take risks, try new things and implement new approaches in order to help the division and the university. I have spent my career here and have a deep commitment to Wayne State and its mission. I plan on moving research forward at the university.”

Dunbar, who earned his Ph.D. in physiology and pharmacology at Wayne State, shares Ratner’s commitment to the university and also will strive to improve on past accomplishments of the Division of Research.

Wayne State University is one of the nation’s pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world.