Kansas State University

Trewyn's new role to focus on NBAF

Submitted by Communications and Marketing

With the beginning of construction at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, the university has announced an upcoming strategic shift in administrative responsibilities to support the project.

Ron Trewyn, K-State’s vice president for research, has been instrumental in the entire process to bring NBAF to the Manhattan campus. He will have responsibility to leverage the research opportunities provided by the federal facility.

"NBAF is the single most important linchpin in our efforts to become a Top 50 public university by the year 2025," said Kirk Schulz, university president. "The timing is perfect for us to look forward and provide for the focused resources needed to turn this opportunity into a reality."

During the next year Trewyn will transition into his ongoing role and the university will begin a search for a new vice president for research. Trewyn’s portfolio will continue to include some of his current responsibilities to allow the next vice president to focus on growing academic research.

"The next few years are crucial to the university with respect to NBAF, and we have known for some time it will require more effort," Schulz said. "There is a tremendous amount of planning and coordination needed with our governmental and private sector partners. Ron’s extensive knowledge of the project and research capabilities of Kansas State will be invaluable to this process."

"Ron is well respected among state elected officials in Topeka and Washington D.C. as a leader in university research initiatives," said Sue Peterson, director of governmental relations. "This also includes his outstanding work and contributions to the National Bio and Agro-Defense project currently under construction in Manhattan adjacent to the K-State campus. Dedicating 100 percent of his time to the NBAF project will be a boost for the institution."

The presence of a federal laboratory on campus is important not just to Kansas State, but to Manhattan and the state of Kansas as well.

"Given the impact NBAF will have on Kansas State University, it's important to have someone intently focused on the facility's interactions with the university," said Kenny Wilk of the Kansas Board of Regents. "Ron Trewyn has been involved with NBAF from day one, and his continued strong leadership will ensure Kansas State University and our other institutions benefit from the federal laboratory in our state."

Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr said, "Dr. Ron Trewyn is absolutely the right person to lead this initiative to continue to champion the benefits of NBAF locally, statewide, throughout the animal health corridor and beyond. The city of Manhattan has had a very positive and collaborative relationship with Dr. Trewyn and the K-State team, and we look forward to continuing to work with him and other community and business team members on new opportunities."

Trewyn has served as the university’s top research officer since 1998. He served as dean of the graduate school from 1998 until 2007 and was previously associate vice provost for research and professor of biology, a role he assumed in 1994 when joining the university. In 2012 he was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

"Having spent the past two decades working to bring NBAF to Manhattan, I have a vested interest in seeing this come to fruition," Trewyn said. "Our efforts in the next few years can have a tremendous impact on the entire region. I appreciate the chance to focus more on NBAF in the future."

In other NBAF progress, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill that includes $404 million for NBAF.