David H. Murdock Research Institute Announces New President
(NC Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC- September 13, 2011)
The David H. Murdock Research Institute (DHMRI) announced today that James L. Oblinger, NC State University (NCSU) professor in the Department of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences, is the new president.
Oblinger, a former NCSU chancellor, provost, and dean, has served for the past two years as a faculty member of the NCSU Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI) at the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) in Kannapolis. Oblinger's career is hallmarked by success developing organizations and programs that advance scientific discovery as well as public-private partnerships that create jobs and boost the state's life science industry. Oblinger brings a background in food science and agriculture and 25 years of experience in administration and management to the DHMRI. He is the author of over 50 published research articles.
"Jim Oblinger is exactly the type of president that DHMRI needs," stated Steven Leath, PhD, vice president for research of the University of North Carolina system. Leath serves on the DHMRI board of directors and has overseen daily operations during the search for a new president.
"Jim is experienced, thoughtful, and visionary. He has extensive experience managing and leading complex organizations. He understands science and how to build partnerships in the science world," Leath continued. "Just as important, he knows how to build bridges between DHMRI and the community, universities, and other scientific organizations. I am certain he is the right person to lead DHMRI to great things."
As president, Oblinger will focus on furthering public and private partnerships that will continue to advance DHMRI and NCRC.
"I am excited about becoming the president of the David H. Murdock Research Institute and working with all of the constituencies, on-campus and off-campus," Oblinger said. "The unique public and private partnerships that exist here and those yet to come are only strengthened by the role that the DHMRI plays. As scientists push the frontiers of their disciplines, we will be there with scientific expertise and analytical capabilities that are, in some cases, uniquely available only through DHMRI. The work done here is good for people, good for the state, and good for global health."
Career Highlights
Education
- PhD and MS in Food Technology from Iowa State University
- BA in bacteriology from DePauw University
North Carolina Research Campus
Professor, NC State University (NCSU) Department of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences, at the NCSU Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI)
- Principal investigator of a $200,000 Golden LEAF Foundation grant with NCSU Assistant Professor Jeremy Pattison, PhD, and PHHI Director of Communications Leah Chester-Davis entitled Improving NC Strawberries through Research, Extension, and Outreach. In partnership with Johnson and Wales University, the grant sought to improve North Carolina strawberries and boost the state's strawberry industry;
- Co-investigator on a NC Rural Economic Development grant involving implementing risk management tools in on-farm food safety;
- Participated in efforts to improve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in local school systems;
- Organized an internship program with local colleges and universities.
North Carolina State University
As Chancellor, 2005 to 2009:
- Instrumental in the continued development of the Centennial and BioMedical Centennial campuses, which now house approximately 70 government and corporate partners and over 2,000 employees;
- Oversaw approximately $1 billion in Higher Education Bond Referendum funds for new construction at NCSU;
- Led the Achieve! Campaign that raised over a billion dollars for the university to support construction of new facilities and the expansion of research programs, scholarships and financial aid for students;
- Facilitated interdisciplinary research initiatives that included nanotechnology, open systems, and agriculture through the PHHI.
As Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, 2003 to 2004:
- Provided leadership in the development of the Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC), a $38 million training center in support of the biomanufacturing and bioprocessing industry;
- Advanced supercomputing/high performance computing infrastructure.
As Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 1997 to 2003:
- Established the Genome Research Laboratory;
- Oversaw construction of a Toxicology Building and up fit of other buildings to expand the College of Agriculture;
- Leveraged resources with statewide partners to build the Center for Marine Science and Technology in Morehead City, NC.
Board Memberships
- Advisory Committee for Biotechnology for the Charlotte Area, North Carolina;
- North Carolina New Schools Project.