Vice President for Research and Innovation
The Division of Research and Innovation supports the generation and dissemination of knowledge by assisting faculty and students in their research, scholarly work and creative activities.
Our Mission
The mission of the Division of Research and Innovation is to support, facilitate, and empower the growth of sustainable research at UNT. This mission is achieved by facilitating an interdisciplinary approach to research — a catalyst for discovery and innovation — that has cemented UNT's status as a Tier One research university.
Message from VP Pamela Padilla
Dear Members of the UNT Community,
It is an honor to begin my service as the Vice President of Research and Innovation at the University of North Texas, and to work with the UNT community to advance our research mission. My goal is to provide support, facilitate, and empower researchers, while implementing creative solutions to grow the research enterprise across disciplines. President Smatresk has entrusted me with this great responsibility, and I will do my utmost to deserve his confidence and yours. I am grateful to Dr. Mark McLellan, who brought experienced leadership and personal warmth to the university, especially throughout the difficult Covid-19 pandemic. I learned a great deal from him, and wish him and his wife, Julie, all the best as they embark on their retirement plans.
Strategic Plan & Roadmap
Dr. Pamela Padilla, Vice President for Research and Innovation, is dedicated to growing UNT's research enterprise to cement its place among the nation’s top Tier One research universities.
With the appointment of Dr. Padilla, new initiatives and the development of an updated and comprehensive research strategic plan has set UNT on the trajectory to advance its goal of becoming a recognized National Research University. Our goal is to provide a supportive, efficient, and more effective research strategy that facilitates and enlarges UNT's research impact. Core to the research strategy is to create an environment that makes it easier for faculty to pursue research and help them achieve higher success in obtaining research funding.
We look forward to communicating the Roadmap to Research and 2021-2026 Research Strategic Plan.