Posted November 1, 2024 by Ashley Washburn
The Office of Research and Innovation has developed plans for a key leadership transition in November.
In an Oct. 17 email to campus, Chancellor Rodney Bennett shared that Sherri Jones, interim vice chancellor for research and innovation, had announced her plan to step down from her role to begin transitioning to her planned retirement, effective Nov. 15. Jennifer Nelson, associate vice chancellor for research, centers and core facilities, will serve as interim vice chancellor until a search for a permanent leader is completed.
Jones, the Velma Warren Hodder Professor of special education and communication disorders, has been interim vice chancellor since Oct. 9, 2023. She will continue to serve in a part-time capacity as a senior research adviser to assist with the transition. Details are forthcoming on a universitywide celebration that will be held in Jones’ honor on Nov. 15.
Nelson has been a Nebraska faculty member since 2011. In her current role, she is responsible for research strategy and infrastructure and serves as Nebraska’s research integrity officer, overseeing the university’s efforts to comply with national requirements and norms for responsible conduct of research and conflict of interest. Previously, she served as director of administration for the Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior.
Effective Nov. 16, Nelson’s duties as research integrity officer will be assumed on an interim basis by Jordan Soliz, professor of communication studies and the Leland and Dorothy Olson Chair in Arts and Sciences. Soliz will also serve as the institutional official with responsibility for the protection of human research participants, and for the conflicts of interest program. Deb Hamernik, R&I senior research adviser, will serve as the interim institutional official for areas related to biosafety, and the care and ethical treatment of animals used in teaching and research at UNL and satellite facilities.
