January 17, 2018 · 2 min read

Third vice chancellor for research, economic development finalist talk is Jan. 18

Craig Chandler | University Communication

A Nebraska student examines E.coli bacteria growing in a petri dish as part of a research project led by Rodney Moxley, professor of veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences.

Robert “Bob” Wilhelm, the third of four candidates interviewing to become Nebraska’s next vice chancellor for research and economic development, will participate in a public presentation at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 18 in the Nebraska Union Auditorium. A reception will follow in the Nebraska Union Heritage Room.

Wilhelm, who interviews at Nebraska Jan. 17-19, is vice chancellor for research and economic development and professor of mechanical engineering and engineering science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Wilhelm has served at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in executive roles since 2005 and as a faculty member since 1993. He has been instrumental in advancing research at the institution by connecting to academic programs and engaging regional and national partners.

Robert "Bob" Wilhelm

As an executive, Wilhelm has assisted with the founding of six National Science Foundation industry/university cooperative research centers, as well as focus areas for large-scale research and academic programs in data science/business analytics, energy, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical and bioinformatics. Recent initiatives support social science, digital humanities and the broader research culture.

Wilhelm joined the UNC faculty in 1993. Since 2005, he has served as executive director of UNC-Charlotte’s institute for business-university partnerships.

He earned a Bachelor of Science from Wichita State University, a Master of Science from Purdue University and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois. He is a full-tenured professor of mechanical engineering and engineering science, having lectured and worked in 38 states and more than 18 countries.

The vice chancellor finalist presentations have included Marty Scholtz of Texas A&M University and Richard Hichwa of the University of Iowa. The final candidate, Mo Dehghani of the Stevens Institute of Technology, will participate in a public presentation on Jan. 23.

Learn more about each candidate and the search.

Members of the campus community are encouraged to attend the public presentations and provide input on each candidate’s strengths and weaknesses. The Wilhelm feedback form is available online.