Rebecca M. Cunningham has been appointed associate vice president for research-health sciences in the University of Michigan Office of Research. Her three-year appointment, approved Thursday by the Board of Regents, is effective May 1.
As associate vice president, Cunningham will work closely with the UMOR leadership team to facilitate and energize the university’s research agenda in the schools, colleges, institutes and centers involved in scholarly and creative activities in the health sciences.
She will work with campus leaders to support the development of new interdisciplinary initiatives, promote translational research, provide oversight of selected research units reporting to UMOR, evaluate proposals, and help develop strategy and support for national and international research partnerships.
Cunningham earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Fairfield University, and medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. She did postdoctoral work at U-M before joining the faculty as a lecturer in 1999.
Over the course of her career, her research has focused on injury prevention, substance abuse prevention and public health.
She was promoted to professor of emergency medicine in the Medical School and professor of health behavior and health education in the School of Public Health in 2014. She has served since 1999 as attending physician in the U-M Department of Emergency Medicine and the Department of Emergency Medicine at Hurley Hospital in Flint.
Cunningham has been active in administration as well, most recently serving as associate chair for research in the U-M Department of Emergency Medicine; director of the U-M Injury Center; associate director of the Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center; and director of the Healthy Flint Research Coordinating Center.
“The health sciences are the largest sector of research at U-M,” says S. Jack Hu, vice president for research. “With her strong commitment to interdisciplinary research, clinical practice, and community service, and her demonstrated administrative leadership, Professor Cunningham is an outstanding candidate for leadership in this key sector.”
