Jon Kinsey has been appointed to the position of assistant vice president for research — research initiatives in the U-M Office of Research, effective March 1.

The Board of Regents approved the appointment Thursday.

As assistant vice president at UMOR, Kinsey will work with faculty and staff across the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses to strengthen the research enterprise by creating innovative collaborations and fostering new funding models with industry, government and academia.

He will also work to build and strengthen relationships across the campuses to identify and develop major new interdisciplinary initiatives.

Kinsey has been with the university since 2007, working in the College of Engineering first as director of government relations and then as senior director, research relations.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 1993 and a Master of Business Administration degree in 2000, both from U-M. 

“It has never been more important for the university to build and strengthen the relationships that are key to the ongoing success of our research enterprise,” said S. Jack Hu, interim vice president for research. “Jon’s broad experience in corporate, government, and foundation relations, and in working with faculty on research development will serve us well in these efforts.”