Advocate Q&A: Andrew Read, Interim SVP for Research
Meet Andrew Read, interim senior vice president for research at Penn State!
Q: What are you most excited about as you grow within Penn State Research?
A: In my recent appointment as interim Senior Vice President for Research, I am most excited about the incredible opportunities that lie ahead. Every day I see new possibilities for innovation, discovery, and growth. And with President Neeli Bendapudi’s specific goal of growing interdisciplinary research excellence, I am extremely optimistic we will have the resources and willpower to empower our faculty as they grab those opportunities and build the rest of the 21st Century. Today, you can see our people coming up with innovative solutions making impact on our world. I think of LionGlass with John Mauro, PlantVillage with David Hughes, 3D concrete printing for affordable housing with Esther Obonyo, 3D textiles with Felicia Davis. I am excited to help empower those folks – and many, many more, too many to mention – to make the future the best it can be.
Q: What opportunities exist for expanding and innovating research at Penn State?
A: The sky is the limit. Our seven interdisciplinary research Institutes and our interdisciplinary colleges mean we can leverage Penn State’s size and breadth in a way many of our large competitors cannot. That’s important because the most pressing challenges of our time stand at the intersection of technology, science, and humanity. The convergence of disciplines often gives rise to breakthroughs that we could have never imagined in isolation. And if we needed reminding, the pandemic showed that no single discipline can solve major problems. And I say that as a microbiologist.
Penn State research is not perfect, but we’re pretty damn good. You don’t get to $1.034 billion in research expenditures -- #26 in the country – by accident. But if we can grow and develop our research support infrastructure, if we can focus our investments on the areas where we hire, empower and retain the best faculty, then we can do so much more for our students, Pennsylvannia, the nation and the world. And as the biggest advocate for research (well, perhaps other than President Bendapudi), I’m proud to be in this role, bringing positive change and broadcasting our successes!
We also have tremendous opportunities by expanding our collaborations - partnering with Industry is key. Gone are the days where a single entity could drive massive change. It is only with our colleagues, industry partners, agency funders and foundations that we can drive impact at a global scale.
Penn State Research has so many strengths – it’s clear that many outsiders don’t yet understand the vast breadth and depth of the research enterprise. We have so many things to offer that go well beyond our powerful research – such as workforce development, talent pipelines, various forms of partnering, commercialization opportunities, sponsoring of research, mentoring students, core facilities and equipment, economic development, lab space, and so on… A phrase that I’ve heard recently which summarizes this perfectly is: “If you think you know Penn State Research. Think again”.
"As a land grant university, this responsibility is an honor. It signifies dedicating our efforts to the betterment of our state, using our expertise and resources to solve real-world problems that affect every Pennsylvanian," - Andrew Read
Q: What are the guiding lights in your research leadership philosophy for Penn State Research?
A: First and foremost: Impact. I want our research and scholarly endeavors to make the world better.
Second: Raise games. In my own career, it has been unbelievably satisfying to produce world-class science at a level better than I had ever imagined I could achieve. That has happened to me a lot at Penn State, a result of the great sandbox previous Research Vice Presidents made sure I could play in: Great colleagues, great trainees, great facilities, great instrumentation.
Third: Create better citizens. The doing of science and other creative endeavors like the arts and humanities generate norms of behavior that improve human well-being. Scholarship is not the only way to make better citizens and better communities, but it is a powerful way. Engrossing our students in research has so much impact on the lives of our students. We all see it, we all know the stories. I feel a real urgency to ensure that Penn State research is helping as many of our students as possible have more fulfilling lives while contributing positively as citizens of the world.
Q: Land grant universities are dedicated to teaching, research, and service to their state. What does it mean to you to lead one of the key pillars of our partnership with the Commonwealth?
A: Yes, I’m “leading” one of the key pillars of our partnership with the Commonwealth, but the truth is, research is the core of academia – the other pillars wouldn’t exist without it, especially in a Research 1 (R1) university. Our teaching depends on research, otherwise, we are only providing ‘book knowledge’. And our service to our Commonwealth is deeply rooted in our research impact, which drives our innovations into our communities and rural areas within the state. And, of course, our research depends on our stellar faculty – every day I am thankful for the caliber of people, science and innovation that is central to Penn State. This is the embodiment of our land-grant mission, and it’s something I’m passionate about in my role.
As a land grant university, this responsibility is an honor. It signifies dedicating our efforts to the betterment of our state, using our expertise and resources to solve real-world problems that affect every Pennsylvanian. Our commitment to service and outreach ensures that the fruits of our labor directly impact communities across the state, connecting research to tangible improvements in people's lives.
Q: In the age of consistent information, how can Penn State captivate academics and the general public alike with our work in research?
A: We need to transcend the confines of scholarly journals and echo chambers. We must communicate our findings in ways that resonate universally – with messaging adjusted to the interests of each group. By providing transparent storytelling around our research, we can inspire not only those entrenched in academia but also the broader public, igniting their curiosity and inviting them to be a part of our journey. This approach not only promotes a deeper understanding of our work but also allows us to harness the collective wisdom and perspectives of a diverse audience.
Q: How does Penn State Research impact the lives of everyday Pennsylvanians?
A: From advancements in healthcare from our Medical School, Cancer Research Institute, or Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute to innovations in agriculture from our Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences or Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, these are just a few areas where our research touches every facet of life and improves the well-being of our communities. Collaborations with local industries, government agencies, and communities ensure that our research channels into tangible outcomes. Whether it's improving access to quality education, addressing environmental challenges, or promoting economic growth, Penn State Research is a driving force that uplifts our state and its people. And as recently ranked one of the top employers nationally (only 3 higher education institutions in the top 50).
Q: What do you hope the headline reads when your time at Penn State Research is done?
A: Good question!! I hope the headline reads a narrative of transformative growth and unwavering commitment, something like “Andrew Read’s steadfast leadership of the Penn State Research enterprise in a time of change set a new record for the number of records broken, with more new partnerships, bigger rankings jumps, more awards and more STEM students graduated than any other interim Senior Vice President for Research!”
No, seriously, I don’t need headlines, at least not about me – nothing would make me cringe more. The headlines I want are those celebrating the achievements of our researchers, the partnerships we've forged, and the indelible mark we've left on academia, industry and our world. When I look back, I want to see even more of our researchers daring to dream big, collaborating passionately, advocating fearlessly, and translating their ideas into actions that change lives. This is not about me.
Q: What is your favorite Penn State memory so far?
A: A letter from a student. Years ago, a Dean called with a first-generation student about to drop out, a combination of financial stresses and cultural adjustment from the Bronx. The Dean thought some time in a lab would help. After three years in my lab, where the student earned authorship on several of our papers, she graduated and got an outstanding job in biotech in Philadelphia, working on the health of PA livestock. During the pandemic, she wrote to say thanks.
It is important work that we do.
Q: What do you like to do outside of the lab?
A: I like to read widely, and I like to get outside with my better half, ideally on a bike or skis or with the dog. I am originally from New Zealand and lived for many years in Scotland, so the outdoors is important to me. I love the peace of Central PA. A connection with nature reminds me of the importance of the world around us, the humility of the vastness of the universe. One of the only things I enjoy about getting older is the growing understanding of what is not known about our world and our place in it. There is virtue in humility.