University of Vermont President Tom Sullivan announced the appointment of Robert B. Low, Ph.D., professor emeritus of molecular physiology and biophysics, as interim provost and senior vice president of UVM, effective January 1, 2013.

In an email announcement to the UVM and broader community, Sullivan referred to Low as “an outstanding scholar, experienced administrator, and longtime University citizen.”  Low’s service in this capacity, which is pending Board of Trustees' approval, will continue through the completion of UVM’s national search for a permanent provost. The expected completion time for that search is Fall 2013. Sullivan noted that the interim provost will not be a candidate for the permanent position.

Low has had a highly distinguished career, most of which has been spent at UVM, where he has been a faculty member in the College of Medicine since 1970. He holds a B.A. in biology from Princeton University, a Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Chicago, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in biology. Low has an impressive record of scholarship, with nearly 100 publications, and has served on numerous University-wide, college and departmental committees, focusing on a wide range of tasks including strategic planning, research, grant reviews, improving the RPT “green sheet” process, and reviews of administrative personnel. He held the positions of UVM interim provost and provost from 1992 to 1996, as well as interim executive dean of the College of Medicine and associate dean for research, and has been responsible for administrative oversight of medical education and faculty affairs in the College. He has taught undergraduate, graduate, and medical students and continues to maintain an active teaching schedule in the College of Medicine.

“Bob will provide experienced and steady leadership to our academic enterprise over the months preceding the completion of our national search and the appointment of UVM’s next Provost,” said Sullivan in his December 21, 2012 announcement. “I am deeply grateful to Bob for accepting this role, as he is foregoing certain personal and academic plans to do so. I hope you will offer him your support and assistance as he helps us all to move UVM forward.”

Low replaces Jane Knodell, Ph.D., who served as provost and senior vice president at UVM from December 2010 through December 2012, and also served as interim provost and senior vice president from July 2009 to December 2010.