Mark Cullen named senior associate vice provost for research

In his new role, Cullen will advise on strategy for institutes, independent labs and centers, and review policy and compliance for the universitywide research enterprise.

- By Nathan Collins

Mark Cullen

Mark Cullen, MD, senior associate dean of research in the School of Medicine, has been named senior associate vice provost for research at Stanford.

In the new role, Cullen will advise Kathryn Moler, PhD, vice provost and dean of research, on universitywide research policy and compliance issues, as well as develop strategy on the future of the institutes, independent labs and centers overseen by Moler’s office.

“Mark is a great university citizen. His experience in the school of medicine and expertise in social science research will be invaluable as we think about the future of shared resources and interdisciplinary collaboration at Stanford,” Moler said.

Much of Cullen’s job will be to advise Moler on policy and compliance across the research enterprise, which has changed significantly in nature and scope over the last decade. Among the issues Cullen will focus on, Moler said, is the development and implementation of rules meant to head off the possibility of undue foreign influence on federally funded research while maintaining a spirit of openness and the free exchange of scientific ideas.

Cullen will also spearhead an effort to take stock of the dean of research’s institutes, independent labs and centers, which have expanded both in number and scope. Today, there are 18 such units, covering everything from biosciences to economic policy.

“They’re hugely important for the research enterprise,” Cullen said, adding that with the university’s long-range planning process underway, now is the right time to think strategically about the role they will play in the next decade and beyond.

“Stanford is an unparalleled research environment, and the question is can we move it the next mile. That’s where the heavy lifting is going to come,” said Cullen, professor of medicine, of biomedical data science and of health research and policy. “It's an opportunity that I think anyone in my position would jump at.”

Cullen came to Stanford in 2009 from Yale University and immediately took on leadership positions. From 2009 to 2015, he served as chief of the division of general medicine disciplines in the School of Medicine. Since 2015, he has directed the Stanford Center for Population Health Sciences and will continue in both that role and as senior of associate dean of research in the School of Medicine. Cullen began his position as senior associate vice provost for research in October.

About Stanford Medicine

Stanford Medicine is an integrated academic health system comprising the Stanford School of Medicine and adult and pediatric health care delivery systems. Together, they harness the full potential of biomedicine through collaborative research, education and clinical care for patients. For more information, please visit med.stanford.edu.