Nicholas Wigginton has been appointed assistant vice president for research–research initiatives in the University of Michigan Office of Research, effective Nov. 1.

As assistant vice president for research, Wigginton will work with faculty and staff to support the development of new interdisciplinary initiatives that build on the strengths and priorities in research and scholarship of the schools and colleges, as well as of the university as a whole.

He will facilitate relationships across campus as well as with government, industry and foundations to identify emerging opportunities, foster innovative collaboration and develop new funding models.

Wigginton comes to U-M from Science, one of the world’s premier science journals, which is published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

As senior editor, he engaged in projects on such diverse topics as biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, microbiology, biomedicine, materials science, sustainability, and earth and planetary sciences. His prior experience includes positions at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and Pacific Northwest Research Laboratory.

Wigginton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. in geosciences from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University.

“One of UMOR’s key functions is to facilitate the development of such innovative programs as the Mobility Transformation Center, which is home to Mcity, and more recently, the Exercise & Sport Science Initiative,” said S. Jack Hu, vice president for research.

“With his broad knowledge of work at the frontiers of many fields of science, and his global network of relationships with researchers, policy experts, sponsors and industry partners, Nick is well prepared to support our efforts in creating new initiatives that broaden and strengthen the impact of U-M research.”

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