UofL hires new EVP for research and innovation

A leader who helped elevate his current institution to the highest level among research universities has been selected to lead research and innovation efforts at the University of Louisville.

Kevin Gardner, vice provost for research at the University of New Hampshire, will assume the role as UofL’s next executive vice president for research and innovation (EVPRI) on Jan. 27, pending board of trustees' approval. He succeeds William Pierce, who retired in 2018. Robert Keynton, professor and Lutz Endowed Chair for Biomechanical Devices, has served as interim EVPRI since that time.

Gardner has served in various roles at New Hampshire since 1999, including the past nine years in research leadership, first as director of strategic initiatives then as vice provost for research. During his tenure, he has overseen that institution’s rise from designation as a Carnegie Research High Research Activity (R2) university to Carnegie Very High Research Activity (R1) status.

As associate then state director of New Hampshire’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), he led the development of a statewide plan to increase engagement among higher education, research-based business and industry and state government.

He also has served as director of New Hampshire’s Environmental Research Group and Recycled Materials Resource Center and as a professor of civil and environmental engineering.

“Dr. Gardner brings excellent credentials to this position,” said UofL President Neeli Bendapudi. “As important, he brings energy, enthusiasm and communication skills that will help us build our research enterprise and share that knowledge to benefit our students, our community and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We are excited to have him join our team.”

Gardner received his bachelor of science in civil engineering from Union College in Schenectady, New York. He earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in civil and environmental engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York.

Prior to his arrival at New Hampshire, Gardner taught at Case Western Reserve University and Hofstra University. He also served as a research assistant at Clarkson and as an engineer in Walnut Creek, California.