UWF Center for Research and Economic Opportunity names Director of Sponsored Research

Nov. 18, 2015

The University of West Florida Center for Research and Economic Opportunity announced the addition of Dr. Mark Roltsch as UWF’s Assistant Vice President for Research and Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. He will also have a faculty appointment as Associate Professor in the Department of Exercise Science and Community Health.

Roltsch will begin on Nov. 23, 2015 and manage the operations of all research and sponsored programs at UWF. He will report to Dr. Rick Harper, vice president for research and economic opportunity.

“Mark brings superb credentials to help build UWF funded research activities,” said Harper. “His work, particularly at the National Institutes of Health, matches well with new UWF initiatives in health and the physical sciences. His innovative, energetic and successful approach to research administration will be appreciated University-wide.”

Roltsch will work with CREO to implement a vision for sponsored research and establish comprehensive programs and procedures to support research goals and activities. In his role in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, he will also be responsible for assisting faculty and staff in obtaining external funding for research and scholarly activities, as well as the financial oversight of funded projects.

“I am very excited to be coming to UWF,” said Roltsch. “The University is on an upward trajectory to support faculty and student research and scholarship, and I am truly honored to have to opportunity build on that trajectory by providing support to the faculty and staff to achieve their research and scholarly goals.”

Most recently, Roltsch served as Executive Director of the Office of Academic Research and Sponsored Projects at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. He also spent seven years at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, working in various roles. Before the NIH, Roltsch worked in the District of Columbia for NASA’s Human Health and Performance Division, as well as the Howard University Cancer Center.

Roltsch earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the Virginia Military Institute, a Master of Science in kinesiology from James Madison University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in exercise physiology from the University of Maryland.

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs facilitates the growth, development and quality of basic and applied sponsored research at the University of West Florida. RSP strives to enrich the learning environment of UWF’s students, provide solutions to regional problems, and contribute to the well-being of the Northwest Florida community.