FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nova Southeastern University (NSU) has announced the appointment of Robert P. Smith, Ph.D., as vice president of research and economic development. An associate professor and research scientist in the Department of Medical Education at NSU’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Dr. Smith is a federally funded scientist and academic leader with a background in biotechnology commercialization.
Under Dr. Smith’s leadership, NSU will continue to expand its R1 research enterprise, fostering partnerships and opportunities to accelerate innovation in sectors ranging from healthcare to blue technology. In 2025, the university earned R1 designation by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and has increased research expenditures by 150 percent between fiscal years 2021 and 2024.
“Robert brings together the scientific expertise, institutional knowledge and entrepreneurial perspective to help NSU build on its R1 achievement,” said Ronald Chenail, Ph.D., NSU’s executive vice president, provost, and chief academic officer. “His leadership will strengthen support for our researchers and connect their work with partners who can help translate discoveries into better patient care, more resilient communities, and new economic opportunities.”
Previously serving as the interim assistant vice president for research, Dr. Smith has built substantial growth for NSU Research, from infrastructure and trainee development to research competitiveness and interdisciplinary collaboration. He has overseen areas within NSU’s Division of Research including sponsored programs, clinical trials, research strategy, budget oversight, compliance coordination, core facilities, and cross-unit research initiatives.
Dr. Smith’s research expertise also spans commercialization and biotechnology development. As the lead microbiologist for Sealor, he developed a novel technology that uses bacteria to produce limestone and support infrastructure repair for coastal resilience applications. He has also led technology transfer activities, including invention disclosure, IP positioning, and patent landscape analysis.
Dr. Smith’s NSU leadership experience includes serving as assistant dean of discovery science and research administration at NSU’s College of Allopathic Medicine, degree program coordinator for the Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences and M.D./Ph.D. programs, and acting director of the Cell Therapy Institute. He joined NSU in 2012.
An internationally recognized scholar in microbiology with more than 40 publications, Dr. Smith’s research funding portfolio includes more than $5 million in awarded support from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Defense/Army Research Office, and United States Army Corps of Engineers, as well as private, nonprofit, and industry sources. He earned his Ph.D. as well as a B.Sc. in Biology and Biotechnology from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, and he was a Post-Doctoral Associate at Duke University where he was selected for the Duke Scholar Infectious Disease program.
NSU’s expanding research portfolio spans clinical trials, biomedical discovery, ocean science, and emerging technologies. The largest private research university in Florida, NSU generates an estimated $6.79 billion in economic impact and supported 36,841 jobs statewide in fiscal year 2024–25, according to Florida TaxWatch. Dr. Smith’s appointment will continue to expand the university’s reach and economic impact in research.
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Pashen Black Nova Southeastern Univeristy pblack1@nova.edu
