NCSU names NASA vet to oversee research, Centennial Campus

North Carolina State University has gone in-house to pick its new vice chancellor for research and graduate studies – a position that puts its holder in charge of Centennial Campus technology transfer and federal research funding.

The university has given the position to former NASA administrator Terri Lomax, who’s been the interim vice chancellor since June 2008. Lomax replaces John Gilligan, who left his post last year to return to teaching.

“The vice chancellor for research is a key position in the university’s research enterprise,” Chancellor James Oblinger said in a written statement. “Terri Lomax has more than 20 years of experience, including her work at NASA. She brings the leadership and creativity necessary to manage our broad and extensive research efforts and ensure growth in a time of intense budgetary pressures.”
The vice chancellor for research and graduate studies is one of NCSU’s most visible positions to the business community. Lomax will be in charge of Centennial Campus, NCSU’s research park. She’ll also oversee more than $300 million in research spending annually and guide the university in its technology transfer efforts.

Prior to becoming the interim vice chancellor, Lomax had been dean of N.C. State’s Graduate School. She also spent 3 1/2 years at NASA in Washington, D.C., serving as an administrator and a senior policy analyst. She joined NASA from Oregon State University, where she was a professor of botany for more than 16 years.

A biologist by trade, Lomax earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, a master’s from San Diego State University and a doctorate from Stanford University. She serves on the board of the Research Triangle Institute as well as other nonprofit and academic boards, and she is president-elect of the American Society of Gravitational and Space Biology.
Lomax’s appointment is effective Jan. 12.