New UMD VP for Research Stresses Innovation; Closer Ties with USM Institutions, Industry, Government

"Size matters when it comes to research impact, and this heightens the importance of collaboration with all sectors."

	O'Shea has launched, managed and conducted multidisciplinary research collaborations. Click image for hi-res

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland's new vice president for research, Patrick O'Shea, proposes an aggressive plan to build the school's regional, national and global research profile, with an emphasis on multidisciplinary, large-scale collaborations with industry and government, as well as closer ties with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and other University System institutions.

Also, O'Shea promises greater rewards for faculty innovation, and new initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship, tech transfer and commercialization.

Currently chair of the University's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and co-director of the Maryland Cybersecurity Center, O'Shea will assume the new post July 1.

"This is a critical position for Maryland, with responsibility for more than a half-billion dollars in research funding," says University President Wallace D. Loh, announcing the appointment. "Pat brings that rare blend of academic expertise, vision, administrative excellence and entrepreneurial spirit to this pursuit. He is well-equipped to increase the University's research and educational impact internationally and within this region."

An alumnus of University College Cork, Ireland, and the University of Maryland, O'Shea has been active in interdisciplinary research and management for decades, both in government and academia. He has served as a project leader at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and director of the University of Maryland Institute for Research and Electronics and Applied Physics.

For the past six years, O'Shea has led the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the largest department in the A. James Clark School of Engineering. He directs a new strategic relationship with Lockheed Martin, and the Maryland Cybersecurity Center, or MC-Squared, a cross-campus initiative launched last fall. Previously, he played a leading role in launching the Maryland NanoCenter and the Center for Applied Electromagnetics.

As a researcher, he is recognized as an expert in applied electromagnetics, and is best known for his pioneering work on electron accelerator-based light sources and free electron lasers.

"We will be bold, diverse, adaptive, creative, innovative and entrepreneurial," O'Shea says. "Our aim is to take our place among the great institutions of the world, dedicated not only to the dissemination of knowledge, but to its creation and application."

O'SHEA'S PRELIMINARY GOALS INCLUDE:

Promote research impact

O'Shea emphasizes the need to establish a vibrant "ecosystem" at the University of Maryland to promote diverse research, scholarship and creativity of the highest caliber. Under his leadership, the Division of Research will also promote the creation of innovative, product-based companies.

"We will substantially increase our efforts in faculty entrepreneurship, technology transfer and commercialization, as well as modernize the reward structure for faculty, thereby enhancing our state's and nation's competitiveness, and fuel our economic development engine," O'Shea adds.

Catalyze significant research initiatives

The University of Maryland must leverage its special location "inside the beltway," surrounded by major federal research installations, and further advance the University's Research Park, M Square, O'Shea asserts. Also, he will work to strengthen research relationships with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and other University System of Maryland institutions, as well as promote large-scale, high-impact, transdisciplinary research collaborations with industry and government on major, multi-investigator initiatives.

"Size matters when it comes to research impact, and this heightens the importance of collaboration with all sectors," O'Shea explains. "Downsizing of long-term corporate research labs is increasing the importance of academic research. Strong university-industry ties are critical to the economic future of our country. The University will play an increasing role in strengthening the government-university-industry triangle in a way that is symbiotic to our mutual interests."

Among O'Shea's other priorities will be to enhance the division's business and compliance practices, facilitating more effective collaboration with the commercial sector, as well as more fully integrating the University's education and research missions.

SHORT BIO

O'Shea, who will replace interim research vice-president Norma Allewell, was born in Cork, Ireland, where he received his secondary education at Coláiste Chríost Rí, and his B.Sc. degree in physics from University College Cork. He received his M.S. ('82) and Ph.D. ('86) in physics from the University of Maryland.

In recognition of his leadership in science, engineering and education, he has been honored as a Distinguished Scholar Teacher of the University of Maryland, Fellow of the American Physical Society, Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

More biographical details are available here.

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