David Conover will retire from his role as vice president for research and innovation at the end of the academic year, effective July 3, 2020. University of Oregon President Michael Schill and Provost Patrick Phillips announced the news on Thursday in a message to campus.

Conover joined the UO in 2016 and oversees the UO’s research enterprise. He helped usher in a new period of growth in research and development expenditures and created a system that helped encourage and incentivize faculty to apply for more and larger grants.

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation supports the university’s research centers and essential core facilities, encourages innovation and economic development through strategic partnering and technology transfer initiatives, helps faculty members identify funding, and oversees and coordinates the UO’s research proposal submissions, compliance, and contract and grant administration.

Following his retirement, Conover will be an emeritus professor in the Department of Biology and re-engage in research examining the ecology and evolution of marine fishes.

In the coming months, the UO will launch an open, national search for Conover’s successor with a goal of filling the position prior to his departure.