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Research at the U

Research at the University of Utah is driven by collaboration, purpose, and the pursuit of knowledge that creates real-world impact.

The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is here to support that mission, connecting researchers with the people, systems, and services that make discovery possible.

From strategic leadership and research compliance to commercialization, infrastructure, and communications, our team helps move research forward at every stage. Whether you’re submitting your first proposal, scaling a major initiative, or exploring new ways to translate your work into impact — we’re here to help.

Explore our team below to find the right contact and expertise to support your next step.

“We build the foundation that empowers researchers to ask better questions, take bolder risks, and deliver greater impact - because lasting solutions grow from strategy, integrity, and systems that work.”

Erin Rothwell, PhD
Vice President for Research

Research Leadership

Erin Rothwell
Erin Rothwell

Vice President for Research



erin.rothwell@utah.edu



801-581-7236

Leads the University’s research enterprise with a focus on strategy, collaboration, and public impact.

Erin oversees the vision, direction, and growth of the University of Utah’s $791.9M research portfolio. She works closely with university leadership, faculty, and external partners to strengthen the role of research in solving real-world challenges, from health and technology to societal change. Erin directs 18 research administrative units, including compliance, commercialization, and proposal development, and serves as the primary point of contact for institutional research strategy, major initiatives, and government or industry engagement.

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Erin Rothwell, PhD
Vice President for Research, University of Utah

Erin Rothwell, PhD, is the Vice President for Research at the University of Utah and President of the University of Utah Research Foundation. Dr. Rothwell leads one of the nation’s top research enterprises and oversees 18 administrative units that support research development, compliance, safety, and innovation. She is also a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the School of Medicine and has an active NIH program of research. Born in Santa Ana, California, Dr. Rothwell began her academic path in recreation therapy, earning a BS and MS from the University of South Alabama, before moving to Utah in 2004 to pursue her PhD at the U. She completed postdoctoral training in clinical trials and public health in the College of Nursing and later a competitive fellowship in bioethics at the Medical College of Wisconsin

Her research focuses on the ethical, social, and legal implications of genetic and technological advancements, particularly in newborn screening, prenatal testing, and biobanking. She is principal investigator on multiple NIH- funded projects, including two R01s titled Comparing Game Facilitated Interactivity to Genetic Counseling for Prenatal Screening Education and Implementing a Novel Consent Process for Biospecimen Research after Newborn Screening in Hospitals Serving Diverse Patients. Dr. Rothwell was also the contact PI on Utah Center for Excellence in Ethical, Legal and Social Implication Research (UCEER).

Since joining the Office of the Vice President for Research in 2018, Dr. Rothwell has served as Associate Vice President for Research Integrity and Compliance and later as Associate Vice President for Research, overseeing critical offices that safeguard research integrity, advance grant support, and enhance research education. She has spearheaded new institutional policies on authorship and misconduct, expanded equitable access to clinical research participation, and modernized the university’s compliance and education infrastructure.

Today, Dr. Rothwell is advancing the Office of the VPR by strategically positioning the institution to address national security, global competitiveness and economic stability She continues to focus on cross-campus collaboration, strengthening Utah’s research climate, and building community partnerships that ensure research at the U addresses critical challenges in health, technology, and society.

To learn more about our current priorities, see the VPR Strategic Plan 2025–2030 At her core, she believes research is about people; scientists, students, patients, and communities - and that the most impactful discoveries happen when integrity, collaboration and vision come together.

The scope of this impact can be seen in our Research Facts & Figures Education
• BS, Recreation Therapy – University of South Alabama
• MS, Park & Recreation Management – University of South Alabama
• PhD, Recreation Therapy – University of Utah
• Fellowship, Bioethics – Medical College of Wisconsin

Jamie P. Dwyer, MD

Executive Associate Vice President of Research and Interim Chief Innovation Officer



jamie.dwyer@utah.edu

Leads the University’s innovation and commercialization strategy to accelerate the translation of research into real-world impact.

Jamie oversees the university’s innovation ecosystem, including the Technology Licensing Office and Utah Venture Hub, supporting faculty, staff, and students in moving discoveries from lab and clinic to market. A physician-scientist and entrepreneur, he brings experience in clinical research, intellectual property, startup formation, and industry collaboration. Jamie works closely with researchers, investors, and external partners to strengthen commercialization pathways, align innovation with institutional research priorities, and expand the reach of University of Utah technologies.

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Jamie P. Dwyer, MD

Executive Associate Vice President of Research and Interim Chief Innovation Officer

Jamie P. Dwyer, MD, serves as Executive Associate Vice President of Research and Interim Chief Innovation Officer at the University of Utah, where he leads the institution’s innovation and commercialization enterprise, including the Technology Licensing Office and Utah Venture Hub. As a physician-scientist and experienced entrepreneur, Jamie brings a systems-level understanding of how discoveries move from the lab and clinic into products, companies, and real-world impact. His leadership reflects a commitment to strengthening pathways from research to market while aligning commercialization strategy with the University’s broader research mission.

With decades of experience leading large, complex research initiatives, Jamie has overseen multi-center clinical trials, collaborated with federal and industry sponsors, and worked closely with regulatory agencies, investors, and industry partners. As both an inventor and company founder, he has firsthand experience navigating intellectual property strategy, startup formation, clinical validation, and commercialization. This dual perspective enables him to support faculty innovators and founders with practical insight into scaling technologies and building sustainable ventures.

Jamie’s approach to innovation emphasizes operational excellence, coordinated strategy, and a faculty-first mindset. By integrating licensing, venture development, and industry engagement, he is focused on ensuring that University of Utah discoveries translate efficiently into societal and economic impact, reinforcing the institution’s position as a national leader in research commercialization.

Caren-Frost
Caren Frost

Associate VP for Research Integrity & Compliance



caren.frost@utah.edu

Ensures research across campus meets the highest standards for ethics, compliance, and accountability.

Caren leads the university’s research integrity efforts by overseeing nine units, including the COI, IBC, IRB, OACC, OQC, ORPA, REd, RGE, and RIO, which offer services to help ensure the university promotes responsible conduct of research through training and current policies.

The units of the Office for Research Integrity & Compliance (ORIC) help faculty and staff navigate regulatory requirements and serve as key contacts for questions related to research misconduct, human subjects, animal welfare, research ethics, and community and participant outreach.

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Caren Frost, PhD, MPH
Associate Vice President for Research Integrity and Compliance, University of Utah

Caren Frost, PhD, MPH, is the Associate Vice President for Research Integrity and Compliance at the University of Utah and a Research Professor in the College of Social Work. She oversees nine research administrative units that guide compliance, regulation, and safety in research— ensuring that discoveries made at the U are conducted responsibly, ethically, and with the highest standards of accountability.

A San Francisco native, Dr. Frost earned her BA in European and Japanese History and her PhD in Applied, Cultural & Medical Anthropology from the University of Utah, and an MPH in Population & Family Health from Columbia University. She also served in the U.S. Peace Corps as a teacher in Morocco, an experience that continues to inform her collaborative and global perspective.

Her research focuses on health and wellbeing, with projects ranging from holistic tools to measure women’s health to strategies for supporting workers and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has secured funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, among others, and her work has consistently promoted interdisciplinary and applied solutions to real-world challenges. As AVPRIC, Dr. Frost has revitalized the Office of Research Education, launched the University’s compliance management toolkit, and collaborated on new authorship and research misconduct policies. Her leadership emphasizes transparency, accountability, and cross-campus collaboration—building a culture where integrity is not just a standard but a shared value.

Education
• BA, European & Japanese History – University of Utah
• MPH, Population & Family Health – Columbia University
• PhD, Applied, Cultural & Medical Anthropology – University of Utah

Jim Hotaling

Associate Vice President for Research Commercialization



james.hotaling@utah.edu

Guides researchers through startup formation and leads the University Venture Fund powered by EPIC Ventures.

Jim supports faculty and research teams in commercializing technologies through company formation, early-stage funding, and mentorship. He directs the Utah Venture Fund and works closely with inventors who are ready to build high-impact startups.

Jim is the primary contact for researchers exploring entrepreneurship.

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Dr. James M. Hotaling
Associate Vice President for Research Commercialization

Dr. James Hotaling is the Associate Vice President for Research Commercialization at the University of Utah, where he helps researchers move ideas from the lab into the world, building startups, forging industry partnerships, and driving innovations that improve lives. A surgeon, scientist, and entrepreneur, Dr. Hotaling bridges medicine and business to accelerate discoveries into practical solutions.

A Professor of Urology at the U, Dr. Hotaling leads a nationally recognized research program in male reproductive health, genomics, and regenerative medicine. His work has been continuously supported by the NIH, with recent projects focused on genomic drivers of infertility, testicular aging, and cancer risk. Beyond research, he has co-founded companies, advised venture-backed startups, and mentored dozens of physician–scientists.

As AVPR for Commercialization, Dr. Hotaling oversees the Utah Venture Hub, expanding the startup pipeline, connecting faculty with investors, and growing Utah’s innovation economy. His leadership reflects a simple but powerful belief: groundbreaking science should not stay in the
lab, it should change lives.

Education
• B.A., Biophysical Chemistry & History — Dartmouth College
• M.D. — Duke University School of Medicine
• M.S., Epidemiology — University of Washington School of Public Health
• Residency & Fellowship — University of Washington; University of Illinois at Chicago

Jakob Jensen

Associate Vice President for Research



jakob.jensen@utah.edu

Strengthens interdisciplinary research and supports faculty engagement in funding efforts.

Jakob focuses on building research capacity through proposal development, strategic funding initiatives, and cross-college collaboration. He helps lead major institutional efforts and oversees the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP), Preaward Unit, Large Infrastructure Funding Team (LIFT), National Laboratories and Securities Office (NLOS), University Research Committee (URC), and internal funding.

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Jakob D. Jensen, PhD
Associate Vice President for Research, University of Utah

Jakob D. Jensen, PhD, is the Associate Vice President for Research at the University of Utah, a professor in the Department of Communication, and a member of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute. His work focuses on helping people make better health decisions by improving how cancer information is shared.

A former national champion public speaker, Dr. Jensen has spent his career designing messages and visuals that connect complex science to everyday lives. His research has shaped cancer prevention campaigns in partnership with public health agencies across Utah and beyond. He is a recipient of the NIH New Innovator Award and a Presidential Scholar, with funding support from the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, the American Cancer Society, and the Department of Defense. His scholarship has earned top honors from the International Communication Association, the National Communication Association, and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Beyond publishing in leading journals, Dr. Jensen leads teams that build new tools—like ultraviolet imaging systems and immersive visuals—to help people see risks and choices more clearly. At his core, he believes communication can save lives, and he brings that conviction to every project he takes on.

Education
• BA, Political Science – Concordia College (2001)
• MA, Communication – University of Illinois (2003)
• PhD, Communication – University of Illinois (2007)

Research Administration

Marian Rice

Director of National Laboratory & Security Office Associate Director, Various Research Initiatives  

Oversees the National Laboratory & Security Office (NLSO) Critical Minerals Working Group, PEAK Water Sustainability Engine, and serves on the NSF FUTURES Leadership Team. 

Research Integrity & Compliance

Zachary Mitchell

Director & Research Integrity Officer

Supports the integrity of University research activity and promotes interpersonal professionalism across the University’s research environment.

Research Infrastructure

Alton Swenes

Executive Director & Assistant Vice President for Research Infrastructure

Supports the physical and digital systems that power research at the U.

Research Strategy

Information Technology

Chris Green

Senior IT Project Manager

Leads OVPR website management—reach out for content updates, technical issues, or site improvements.

Grants & Proposals

Brent Brown

Executive Director & Assistant Vice President for Sponsored Projects

Helps researchers navigate the complexities of proposal submission and sponsor compliance.

Communications & PR Team

Amanda Ashley

Director of Communications for Research & Innovation

Leads integrated communications strategies that align research storytelling with institutional priorities.