Shayman new associate VP for research

James Shayman, professor of pharmacology and of internal medicine, and associate chair for research in internal medicine at the Medical School, has been named associate vice president for research, health sciences.

(File Photo/Paul Jaronski, U-M Photo Services)

His appointment—announced jointly by Stephen R. Forrest, vice president for research and Fawwaz T. Ulaby, former vice president for research—was approved Jan. 20 by the Board of Regents and took effect Jan. 1.

Shayman earned his bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1976 and his medical degree from Washington University Medical School in 1980. After completing his postdoctoral training at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, he became an instructor in the Renal Division of the Department of Internal Medicine at Washington University Medical School.

Shayman joined the U-M faculty in 1986 as assistant professor in the Division of Nephrology and attained the rank of professor in 1997. He holds a joint appointment as professor in the Department of Pharmacology, and is a staff nephrologist at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Ann Arbor. His scientific activities include service on numerous editorial boards, ad hoc reviews for many leading scientific journals and membership in multiple professional societies.

He is a physician-scientist who runs an active research program focused on the biochemistry and pathophysiology of sphingolipids. For the last nine years, he has served as associate chair for research programs in the Department of Internal Medicine. In this role he has been responsible for grants administration, investigator compliance, conflict of interest, technology transfer and program development.

"During this time, the level of extramural research funding has grown from $50 million to over $100 million dollars," Forrest and Ulaby wrote in a memo to executive officers and OVPR staff.

Shayman's responsibilities will include assisting OVPR in its administration and oversight of the research and creative activity in the health sciences arena; providing leadership for new initiatives, oversight and involvement with OVPR units where appropriate; and serving as a member of the senior OVPR administrative staff. He also will play a key role in fostering special interdisciplinary projects.

Shayman will take on the position formerly held by Professor Robert F. Todd, III, who served as associate vice president for research since May 1999.