Newswise — WASHINGTON (March 26, 2014) — The George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) is pleased to announce that renowned neuroscientist, widely published researcher, and administrator, Robert H. Miller, Ph.D., has been appointed to serve as the senior associate dean for research. He will also join the SMHS faculty.
In the role, Miller will provide support for world-class scientists to procure research funding, assess and identify areas for research expansion, cultivate research relationships with outside entities, lead research-related faculty development, and develop a plan to secure the infrastructure, funding, and technologies required to advance GW’s research mission. Miller will also lead strategic planning for research enhancement.
“The addition of Dr. Miller to the SMHS leadership team will be a tremendous asset to SMHS and our faculty members. His successful track record of administrative oversight and management, coupled with his rigorous research expertise, make him the ideal candidate for this position,” Jeffrey S. Akman, M.D. '81, RESD '85, Walter A. Bloedorn Professor of Administrative Medicine, vice president for health affairs, and dean of SMHS. “I am looking forward to working with Dr. Miller to foster existing partnerships and cultivate new relationships that will greatly benefit our research enterprise.”
Upon his arrival at GW, Miller will draw upon his 30-plus years of experience in research and leadership, as he reviews school-wide protocols and metrics. He will develop a plan to leverage GW’s strengths, as well as identify new areas of research interest. By establishing and implementing new policies to assist in the promotion of research at SMHS, Miller plans to increase visibility and interest in SMHS research. He will also supervise research activities related to SMHS; serve as a resource and advocate for SMHS faculty; and foster effective interaction among departments, the school, and the university around grant and contract submission and management.
“I am excited about the opportunity to work with the leadership and faculty of SMHS to strengthen existing areas and develop new areas of research that address local, national, and global health issues,” said Miller.
Miller, who recently served as the vice president for research at Case Western Reserve University, was responsible for providing campus-wide leadership and strategic guidance in all areas of research, including trans-disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas. He was also responsible for assuring academic integrity in research and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and policies related to research, technology transfer, and commercialization. Additionally, Miller served as the director of the Center for Translational Neurosciences, professor in the Department of Neurosciences, and the Allen C. Holmes Professor of Neurological Diseases at Case Western Reserve University. He also held secondary appointments in the Departments of Physiology and Biophysics, Pathology, and Neurology at Case Western Reserve University, and at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Department of Neurosurgery at University Hospitals of Cleveland.
Miller serves as the principal investigator on multiple NIH-funded grants, and he will continue his role as an active researcher. His research has provided targeted insights into a variety of neuropathological conditions, which are currently propelling a number of clinical trials in the U.S. and Europe. Furthermore, his research has been published in nearly 200 scientific publications, including Nature, Nature Medicine, The Journal of Cell Biology, and many other leading scientific journals. Miller will maintain a laboratory in Ross Hall, where he will continue research into multiple aspects of neurological diseases including autism spectrum disorders, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and spinal cord injury.
As an award winning researcher and teacher, Miller has received many honors including the Outstanding Faculty Award at Case Western Reserve University, the Jacob Javits Neuroscience Award, the John S. Diekhoff Award for Excellence in Graduate Training, and the Charles Judson Herrick Award from the American Association of Anatomists. He is also a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, the International Society for Neurochemistry, and many other prestigious national and international societies.
Miller will officially join the GW SMHS faculty and leadership team on June 1, 2014.
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About the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences:
Founded in 1825, the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) was the first medical school in the nation’s capital and is the 11th oldest in the country. Working together in our nation’s capital, with integrity and resolve, the GW SMHS is committed to improving the health and well-being of our local, national and global communities. smhs.gwu.edu