Dr. Shashank Priya Appointed to MSU Research Foundation Board of Directors

EAST LANSING, Mich. (Feb. 18, 2026) — The MSU Research Foundation today announced that Dr. Shashank Priya, Vice President for Research and Innovation (VPRI) at Michigan State University, has been appointed to its Board of Directors by MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz.

Dr. Priya joined MSU in February 2026 following a national search and brings extensive experience leading large, complex research enterprises and advancing discovery, innovation, and real-world impact. As VPRI, he oversees MSU’s near–billion-dollar research enterprise, providing strategic leadership across sponsored research, interdisciplinary institutes, technology commercialization, industry engagement, and research integrity and compliance. His role places him at the center of the university’s efforts to move ideas from the lab to the marketplace and into practical application.

“Dr. Priya’s distinguished career and deep commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation make him an outstanding addition to our Board,” said David Washburn, CEO of the MSU Research Foundation. “His leadership experience and strategic vision will strengthen our work to support MSU’s research strengths, accelerate technology translation, and expand impact across Michigan and beyond.”

Prior to joining MSU, Dr. Priya served as Vice President for Research and Innovation at the University of Minnesota, where he led a research enterprise exceeding $1 billion annually. During his tenure, the university achieved record growth in research awards and expenditures, launched a record number of startups, and strengthened industry partnerships. In late 2025, he also assumed roles as special advisor and founding executive director of the National Security Research Institute, as well as strategic advisor to the chancellor at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Priya held senior research leadership roles at Pennsylvania State University, where he advanced major interdisciplinary initiatives and increased the scale and success of large, complex research proposals.

The MSU Research Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that supports Michigan State University through strategic investments, partnerships, and venture creation that advance discovery, innovation, and economic development.

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