Announcement: Dr. Denise Figlewicz takes on new role
After serving as Vice Dean, Research and Innovation, for five years at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Dr. Denise Figlewicz has accepted a new role as Assistant Vice President, Research Enhancement and Development at Wayne State University effective April 18, 2017.
Dr. Figlewicz joined the decanal team at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry in March 2012. During her tenure, she has focused on building a culture of research at the School.
Most notably, she initiated new internal research funding programs including the Collaborative Research Seeds Grants program, which provided seed funding for the formation and development of new interdisciplinary collaborative research teams; and the Schulich Equipment AID Grant program, which provides faculty with a mechanism to acquire, develop or improve equipment directly used for research which cannot be obtained through other funding channels.
In response to the significant changes in the biomedical funding landscape first announced in 2012, Dr. Figlewicz has worked intensely with the School’s Research Office team to provide support for researchers in identifying, applying for, and obtaining funding from a broader base of funding sources.
A strong supporter of creating synergies between research teams, Dr. Figlewicz established new networking research events such as the New Faculty Lecture Series and Research Bites.
Building on Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s already successful medical student research training programs, she worked alongside Dr. Gerry Cooper, Associate Dean, Schulich Medicine – Windsor Campus, and partners at the University of Windsor to establish a research program in Windsor for medical students. In doing so, the Schulich-UWindsor Opportunities for Research Excellence Program, was created providing medical students summer training research opportunities in Windsor.
Working with colleagues at Western, Dr. Figlewicz contributed to the Western Strategic Support for CIHR Success program, and served as the School’s CIHR delegate.
A plan has been developed to provide interim leadership for the Research program at the School. More information on that plan will be announced in the next few weeks.
