Announcing Jean Baum as Vice Provost for Life Sciences Research and Partnerships

January 19, 2023

Dear Rutgers–New Brunswick Community,

I am pleased to announce that Jean Baum, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, has joined my leadership team as Vice Provost for Life Sciences Research and Partnerships.

Dr. Baum, who has served since October 1 as Special Advisor to the Office of the Chancellor-Provost, is developing a strategic framework that re-envisions STEM, and particularly life sciences, research across Rutgers–New Brunswick and in alliance with RBHS.

Vice Provost Baum will work with Vice Provost for Research Denise Hien to promote the new strategy across Rutgers–New Brunswick’s schools in support of our Academic Master Plan; collaborate with the Rutgers Office of Research and other universitywide stakeholders; foster opportunities with RBHS to promote joint research and external funding opportunities; oversee our chancellor-led STEM/life science centers and institutes and develop strategic new institutes and initiatives; and establish and strengthen our relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, philanthropic foundations, and industry partners to identify new funding opportunities. She will also continue to serve in her research roles at the School of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Baum has proven herself as a brilliant researcher and natural leader throughout her science career, especially since she joined Rutgers as a Henry Rutgers Research Fellow in 1988 and became Distinguished Professor in 2010. Dr. Baum was the inaugural Vice Dean for Research and Graduate Education at SAS where she launched initiatives including, among other things, research development and core facilities as well as an SAS Doctoral Pathways to Industry Program. In her lab, which has been funded by the NIH for more than 30 years, Dr. Baum is exploring the basis for neurodegenerative and collagen connective tissue diseases with the goal of informing the design of therapeutics to halt the progression of these devastating illnesses.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Baum and welcoming her to this new role, which will help us achieve our Academic Master Plan goals for national leadership and excellence in education, research, and service.

Sincerely,

Francine Conway, Ph.D.
Chancellor-Provost, Rutgers University–New Brunswick