Kirby officially began his new role on July 1, 2024. He reports to Dr. Erin Rothwell, Vice President for Research.
As AVPRSI, Kirby will spearhead all Engineering Research Center (ERC) proposal submissions for the October 2024 deadline; co-lead the Aerospace Hub with the current team leader, Dr. Jake Hochhalter; and take point and shepherd the University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) submission; among other duties. In addition, Kirby will provide insight and writing support for strategic initiatives to elevate the University and its partnerships under the VPR.
“In my new role, my hope is to support VPR’s Rothwell’s plan to actualize President (Taylor) Randall’s ‘top research university’ goals,” said Kirby. “This will be accomplished through not only strategically thinking about how to muster time, talent, and resources to solve ‘big problems,’ but also through being ready, and sufficiently agile as an institution, to capitalize on ‘moments of serendipity’ when the problem of the moment meets faculty-driving innovativeness and resolve.”
About Dr. Kirby
Kirby is a Professor of Computing with the University of Utah’s Kahlert School of Computing. He’s a part of the leadership team of the University of Utah Responsible AI Initiative. Kirby is also an Adjunct Professor of Mathematics and an Adjunct Professor of Bioengineering at the U.
Dr. Kirby’s primary research interests include Computational Science and Engineering; Concurrent Programming; Scientific Visualization; and Interdisciplinary Collaboration across Computer Science, Engineering, and Applied Math. He is a leader in the synergistic combination of applied mathematics and computer science applied to real-world engineering problems, and is the author of over 200 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications.
Prior to being named AVPRSI, Dr. Kirby was the Special Advisor to the President (2022-2023), Executive Director of the Utah Informatics Initiative (2019-2023), and Director of the Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (2018-2020), all at the University of Utah.
Kirby is an alumnus of Florida State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Computer and Information Sciences. For his postgraduate education, Kirby attended Brown University, earning several degrees including Master of Science in Applied Mathematics, Master of Science in Computer Science, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Mathematics.
VP Rothwell congratulated Kirby on his new role as AVPRSI.
“Research and its societal impact have never been more important and needed than they are today,” she said. “I am excited to work with Dr. Kirby, who will be at the forefront of elevating the U’s research initiatives that will continue to bring solutions to society’s biggest issues — all while growing our university as a national and global research leader.”
When asked what he believes will be one of the most exciting things about his role as AVPRSI, Kirby said it’s the chance to engage across the university with faculty, staff, and students around our research mission.
“I am excited to see how our (university) search can impact Utah and the nation,” he said. “I am also excited about VP Rothwell’s vision that part of our role is to help encourage and mentor the future research leaders of our university. All of our colleges have hired amazing faculty, all of whom are interested in their own personal research, and many of whom are open to and interested in transcending their own research goals and engaging, and maybe leading, something bigger. It will be fun to see how we can positively impact the U through not only the research we stimulate but the leaders we elevate.”
For more information on the VPR Office, click here.