COLUMBIA — Michael Nichols is MU’s new vice president for Research and Economic Development, according to a UM system news release sent Friday morning.
Nichols will begin his duties on Dec. 1.
Nichols has been director of the Office of Technology Management and Industry Relations at MU since 2006. He has been associated with the university since 1978, when he served on the research faculty of what is now MU’s Dalton Research Center.
In 1992, Nichols earned a doctorate in biomedical sciences with an emphasis in bioengineering and statistics from MU.
Nichols also founded three technology companies in Columbia: Applied Coating Technologies, Nichols Technologies Inc. and Atomic Paint Shop Inc. He has served as president of all three companies, as well as president of Nichols Scientific Instruments.
In his new position, Nichols will earn $187,500 per year. He succeeds John Gardner, who has accepted a similar position at Washington State University.