UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May has selected Prasant Mohapatra to serve as vice chancellor for research. Mohapatra, who has been the dean of graduate studies and vice provost of graduate education since 2016, will oversee an annual research funding portfolio of about $783 million (as of fiscal year 2016), and lead the university’s corporate research relations and translation of UC Davis research into knowledge and technology of significant public benefit.   

“Prasant has an impressive record of accomplishments and leadership,” May said. “He’s developed partnerships and fellowships for our graduate students and worked with undergraduate students on multidisciplinary research. His experience in obtaining large collaborative awards and thinking innovatively about fundraising will be critical to building our momentum in the years ahead.”

Other leadership positions Mohapatra has held at UC Davis include associate chancellor (where he focused primarily on strategic planning for new initiatives and programs), interim vice provost and chief information officer, and chair of the computer science department. He held the first Tim Bucher Family Endowed Chair in the Department of Computer Science from 2009-2013, and has remained a professor in the computer science department.

Mohapatra has led multiple large-scale collaborative projects. He was the lead researcher for the Multi-University Research Initiative, or MURI, from the Army Research Office, a $6.5 million, five-year award, which is composed of 13 principal investigators from seven other universities. He is the UC Davis lead researcher for the Collaborative Technology Alliance, or CTA, a $35.5 million award for 10 years from the Army Research Laboratory that involves interactions with about 40 members of the consortium and researchers from the Army Research Lab. Mohapatra is also the thrust leader for a Cybersecurity Research Alliance, or CRA, award, a 10-year award with a total grant of $48.2 million for five participating universities.

In addition, Mohapatra led a National Science Foundation funded project for mentoring underrepresented undergraduate students. He is the principal investigator of an NSF grant for “Bridge to Doctorate,” an initiative to facilitate and train underrepresented minority groups to pursue doctorate studies in STEM areas. He has received funding from the Mellon Foundation to explore the transformation of the graduate admission process for the holistic evaluation to increase graduate student diversity.

“In his time as dean of graduate studies, Prasant has always put students first,” noted UC Davis Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter. “He has identified new sources of funding to grow fellowship support for graduate students. He has focused on increasing the diversity of our graduate student body as well as on key issues such as the mentorship of graduate students. A particular point of pride is the GradPathways program, which under Prasant is preparing more students for a multiplicity of career pathways,” added Hexter. “I look forward to working with Prasant as he takes on his new role.”

Read the full story on the UC Davis website.

About Graduate Studies

Graduate Studies at UC Davis includes 99 dynamic degree programs and a diverse and interactive student body from around the world. Known for our state-of-the-art research facilities, productive laboratories and progressive spirit – UC Davis offers collaborative and interdisciplinary curricula through graduate groups and designated emphasis options, bringing students and faculty of different academic disciplines together to address real-world challenges.

UC Davis graduate students and postdoctoral scholars become leaders in their fields: researchers, teachers, politicians, mentors and entrepreneurs. They go on to guide, define and impact change within our global community.

For information on Graduate Studies’ current strategic initiatives, visit the Graduate Studies strategic plan page.