David Sholl, executive director of the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute and vice provost of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has announced he will leave at the end of the year to join Rice University as executive vice president for research.
Sholl joined UT-ORII as interim executive director in June 2023 and was named executive director in April 2024. His leadership has strengthened alignment between the UT System and Oak Ridge National Laboratory and expanded the institute’s impact in areas critical to Tennessee and the nation, including five new Convergent Research Initiatives (CRIs) in fusion technology, transportation, circular bioeconomy systems, radiopharmaceutical therapies and advanced manufacturing for affordable housing.
Over the past two years, the institute has made strong progress. It has added nearly 40 joint researchers; the Bredesen Center welcomed its largest incoming class of 63 students this fall, bringing total doctoral enrollment to 210; and it is expanding STEM outreach across Tennessee with the launch of the STEMOVATE program this week in 21 counties.
Sholl will remain in his current roles through the end of the year before beginning his new role at Rice. UT-ORII’s Executive Council, which includes leadership from UT and ORNL, will name an interim director while a national search for Sholl’s successor is underway.
“We are grateful for David’s important contributions to positioning UT-ORII for long-term impact. Please join us in congratulating him on his new role at Rice University and in thanking him for his service to UT-ORII, the UT System and ORNL,” UT System President Randy Boyd, ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer and UT Chancellor Donde Plowman said in a joint statement.
—
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)
Bridget Waller (865-974-3466, bwaller5@utk.edu)