UF’s College of Medicine names Moyer senior associate dean for research development

University of Florida College of Medicine Professor Richard Moyer, Ph.D., who served 15 years as chairman of the department of molecular genetics and microbiology, will become the college’s full-time senior associate dean for research development July 1.

College of Medicine Dean C. Craig Tisher, M.D., has appointed Moyer to the newly created position. Moyer and staff will guide the college’s overall effort to expand its research funding and to improve its use of resources.

“Dr. Moyer developed an outstanding department as chair,” Tisher said. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to draw upon his abilities as a scientist, administrator, and nationally and internationally recognized authority on poxviruses to continue to expand our research portfolio.”

Moyer said he expects to focus on three “big picture” financial issues — sources of research funding, how strategic initiative funds are invested and what the college’s current and future research development plans should be. He is currently interviewing all department leaders and center directors to learn about their research goals, accomplishments and needs.

He plans to continue his pioneering research on poxviruses while serving in the new position. Moyer is internationally known for gaining insight into the mechanisms by which poxviruses subvert their hosts’ immune systems and cause disease, and has investigated the potential use of these viruses as gene carriers for vaccines and gene therapy.

Distinct in its functions, the research development office will work in synergy with the medical school’s Office for Research Affairs, directed by M. Peter Pevonka, M.S., R.Ph., senior associate dean for research affairs, which coordinates general research functions for the college and provides oversight for research administration and compliance. The staff helps faculty and staff apply for grants and contracts, comply with regulations and search for sources of research funding.