College hires VP for research

College hires VP for research

Terri Goss Kinzy. Courtesy WMU

A college in the region has a new vice president for research.

Western Michigan University said last week it hired Terri Goss Kinzy for the role, effective Jan. 8.

She will replace Daniel Litynski, who returned to the engineering faculty last summer after serving in the position for seven years. Sherine Obare has been serving in the position on an interim basis.

Goss Kinzy will oversee the offices responsible for research and sponsored programs, corporate contracts, grant and contract accounting, facilitation of major research initiatives and corporate engagement.

“I'm really excited about the opportunity to become part of the WMU community and to work with President (Edward) Montgomery,” Goss Kinzy said. “He's expressed a bold vision for WMU's future that includes a focus on research that will advance economic development. I'm eager to be part of that work.”

Goss Kinzy has been in various positions at Rutgers University in New Jersey, most recently as the VP for research and as a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and pediatrics. She has served as director of the RWJMS/Rutgers/Princeton University M.D./Ph.D. program, executive director of the medical school's DNA Core Facility and senior associate dean of its Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Research.

“We’re extremely fortunate to find someone with Dr. Kinzy's particular background and experience,” Montgomery said. “She has a deep appreciation already for this university's extensive research and creative strengths and a profound understanding of the benefits a discovery-driven agenda can have for our students and the broader society we serve. This is a wonderful match.”

Goss Kinzy has been involved in much of her own research and led numerous international research meetings. She has received honors for her mentoring work with many students at all levels and has been published on the subject.

Goss Kinzy is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She has served in multiple roles with the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and now serves on that organization's Political Affairs Advisory Committee. She is also a member of the Council on Research Executive Committee for the Association for Public and Land-Grant Universities.

She earned a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Akron and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Case Western University, before doing post-doctoral work at Carnegie Mellon University.