New Associate VP for Research Named at Utah State

The Utah State University Vice President for Research office announced that Trustee Professor Ann E. Aust will serve as the new associate vice president for research.

 

Aust, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry specializing in the study of biochemistry, has been with Utah State since 1987.

 

“I am excited to now be part of the efforts of the research office and to support further development of existing programs and to aid in initiation of new programs at Utah State,” said Aust.

 

Aust has been the principal investigator on research grants totaling more than $3 million from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the Health Effects Institute and Ford Motor Company. She has reviewed manuscripts for many journals and has served on the editorial boards for the journals “Free Radical Biology & Medicine” and “Chemical Research in Toxicology.” Aust also frequently publishes in journals, including the “Journal of Biological Chemistry and Carcinogenesis.”

 

One topic of her research focuses on asbestos and how it and other airborne toxins cause inflammatory lung diseases and cancer. Other areas of her work, including the study of iron biochemistry, have led to a greater understanding of the pathology of iron overload in the lung after inhalation of particulates containing iron. This may someday lead to a treatment for the diseases.

 

“I am pleased to have Ann join the research office,” said Utah State Vice President for Research Brent Miller. “Her strong record of research at several universities, and in private industry, will bring additional depth and perspective to campus-wide research activities.”

 

“Research programs at Utah State contribute to the economic development of Utah and the nation by training students for many future employment opportunities and provide innovative technologies, medical advances and agricultural and environmental improvements,” said Aust.

 

Throughout her career, Aust has been involved in activities focused on research or the support of research. Besides her time with Utah State, Aust has conducted research while at Michigan State University, Ruakura Agricultural Research Center in New Zealand and Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis. From 2002-03, she served as visiting professor in the Center for Health and Environment at the University of California Davis. She has consistently involved students in her work and has mentored 15 graduate students and 16 undergraduate students while at Utah State.

 

Aust said that part of the mission of the Research office is to facilitate and stimulate university-related research. An important component of this, she said, is to improve campus research infrastructure to better serve researchers. She plans to focus the majority of her energy on infrastructure, including research support services and equipment.

 

“I am impressed by Ann’s perceptive insights, her calmness and her clear and analytical thinking skills,” said Miller. “I look forward to working with her to advance research at Utah State University.”

 

Aust replaces M. K. Jeppesen, who became the interim vice president for information technology services in August.