The Ohio State University is kicking things up a notch in its research department with a new appointment, as announced on its website. Effective Oct. 1, John M. Horack, a seasoned veteran with over three decades of experience in the spaceflight industry, will step up as the university's vice president for research, a move that is seen to propel Ohio State towards its ambitious research targets and broader innovation ambitions.
Horack's not just any appointment; he's got a resume that reads like a who’s who of space exploration and academic leadership—having worked at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, then zigzagging to academia with the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a subsequent VP role at Teledyne Brown Engineering before landing at Ohio State in 2016, Horack also holds a professorship in the College of Engineering and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs and sits in the Neil A. Armstrong Chair in Aerospace Policy. "John is a preeminent scholar, collaborator and visionary leader who shares our aspirations for research excellence at Ohio State," Executive Vice President and Provost Ravi V. Bellamkonda said, as per the university's announcement.
With an eye on the future, Horack's joining forces with the university's Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (ERIK) will handle various strategic functions, including research operations, innovation and partnerships, and knowledge development and discovery. Also, the High-Tech Innovation District at Ohio State is part of it. The alignment with the university’s strategic plan 'Education for Citizenship 2035' is clear—Ohio State aims to grow its research enterprise to $2 billion by 2035 and views Horack's expertise in fostering strategic partnerships and promoting a collaborative research culture as integral to reaching that goal.
Horack's tenure at Ohio State has already been marked by significant advancements in Ohio State's leadership in spaceflight research and innovation and now as he steps into his new role; "I am honored to step into this role at Ohio State, as research is the first link in the value chain of prosperity," he remarked, according to the university's release. The university boasts its instrumental role in the launch of the Voyager Institute for Space, Technology, and Advancement science park, and he also leads the university's efforts to build Starlab—a next-generation space station supported by VISTA.
The space within the university's leadership ranks extends further, with a national search on the horizon for a new chief scientific officer at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. This position promises to bring another layer of leadership to the table, driving research and innovation strategy not just at the Medical Center but across the entire university, ensuring the research initiatives beat with one cohesive heart, pulsating with innovation and discovery in the realms of biomedical research and beyond.
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