Texas A&M Names Pettigrew Vice Chancellor for Strategic Health Initiatives, Boosts Research Portfolio and Attracts Top Scholars

Texas A&M University has appointed Dr. Roderic Pettigrew as Vice Chancellor for Strategic Health Initiatives, effective June 1st. This new role recognizes Pettigrew as one of the institution’s esteemed scholars and allows him to focus on expanding the System’s health science research portfolio and attracting top scholars to join the institution.

Pettigrew was previously Executive Dean of the School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed) at Texas A&M University, where he launched an innovative program that offered students a unique curriculum earning both a medical degree and a master’s in engineering focused on medical technology. Over the past 12 years, efforts to recruit top faculty members led to a significant increase in the number of faculty who were members of elite National Academies in engineering, science, and medicine.

The Texas A&M System Chancellor’s Research Initiative (CRI) and Governor’s University Research Initiative (GURI) grant program played a key role in supporting the recruitment of superstar faculty members. Under Pettigrew’s leadership, the System grew its National Academy membership from 11 to 58, and he is expected to further enhance these efforts in his new role.

Pettigrew holds a Ph.D., an MD, and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, National Academy of Engineering, and the National Academy of Inventors. He joined Texas A&M in 2017 with CRI and GURI funds and will represent the institution on a national and international level within medical and academic organizations while promoting EnMed’s innovative integrated engineering medicine curriculum. While assuming his new responsibilities, Pettigrew will continue to serve as dean of EnMed until an interim is named before remaining on the faculty.