UW-Madison associate dean, active in stem cells, leaves

Madison, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Madison announced on Friday that it will be losing one of its leaders in the field of stem-cell research. R. Timothy Mulcahy, a professor of pharmacology and associate dean of graduate biological studies, will be leaving UW-Madison to become vice president of research at the University of Minnesota in February.

“Tim will be missed,” graduate school Dean Martin Cadwallader said in a statement. “He has been a pivotal member of the graduate school team, and has provided the campus with invaluable leadership across a wide range of issues.”

Mulcahy, who has been at UW-Madison for the last 25 years as a student, administrator, and faculty member, has played a part in several key research projects on the campus. His accomplishments include improving the university’s programs on human subjects and animal care, creating the Research Advisory Council for developing policy, and developing electronic disclosure tools.

Stem-cell research has also played a key role in Mulcahy’s career at UW-Madison. In his tenure he helped to found the Wisconsin Stem Cell Research Program. He also pushed for research confidentiality and ethics, as well as strengthening the campus efforts through hiring additional stem cell researchers.

Mulcahy said his research efforts at Minnesota will similar to what he has done at UW-Madison. Both campuses possess a broad spectrum of research and rank highly on annual surveys of research universities in terms of financial investment. They also both face similar challenges in research policy and staying prolific in a rapidly growing competitive market.

“Minnesota is a large, complex public research university with many similarities with UW,” Mulcahy said in a statement. “They have very strong research, are on a very positive trajectory, have a great vision for their future and are seeking a leader to help them realize their full potential.”