Georgia Tech has announced the selection of two outstanding faculty members to serve as vice presidents in the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research. Each appointment is 75%, allowing them time to continue their established work as faculty members.

Raheem Beyah, the Motorola Foundation Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will serve as Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research (VPIR). The VPIR will be responsible for ensuring the effective and strategic administration of interdisciplinary research. This will include providing overall leadership for the interdisciplinary research institutes and centers, the Pediatric Technology Center, Global Center for Medical Innovation, Smart Cities Initiatives and other interdisciplinary activities.

Beyah earned his Ph.D. from Georgia Tech’s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He has also served the school as interim chair and as associate chair for strategic initiatives and innovation.

Robert Butera, associate dean for research and innovation in the College of Engineering, will serve as Vice President for Research Operations (VPRO). The VPRO will be responsible for supporting and developing the research program, operating the internally funded research programs in collaboration with the colleges, overseeing core facilities and research space, and managing policies related to research administration and operations. 

Butera earned his Ph.D. from Rice University, and a bachelor of electrical engineering degree from Georgia Tech. In addition to his duties in the College of Engineering, he has served as a professor with joint appointments in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University.

“I am pleased that we have found such highly qualified and respected faculty to support our efforts to ‘Create the Next in Research,’” said Chaouki Abdallah, Georgia Tech’s Executive Vice President for Research. “The addition of these vice presidents will help us sustain research growth, leverage efficiencies and maximize the impact of Georgia Tech’s research program on research sponsors – and society at large.”

The two positions are part of the restructuring announced in March aimed at providing improved service support for Georgia Tech’s research operation, which has experienced tremendous growth without a corresponding expansion in administration and support. These appointments are pending final institute approvals.

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Media Relations Contact: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).

Writer: John Toon