Announcing New Leadership in the BU Office of Research

From Dr. Gloria Waters, University Provost and Chief Academic Officer

I am pleased to announce that Kenneth Lutchen has been appointed vice president and associate provost for research, effective September 1, 2025.

Ken brings a wealth of leadership experience and a deep commitment to advancing Boston University’s research mission. Most recently, he has served as senior advisor to the president and co-chair of the Research Convergence Task Force—an effort central to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across the University. He also launched the AI Development Accelerator, a major initiative to support transformative applications of artificial intelligence in academics and administration. As we conducted the search for the next vice president and associate provost for research, it became increasingly clear that Ken’s deep knowledge of Boston University and his strong leadership qualities made him particularly well-suited for the role. His recent contributions demonstrated both his vision and effectiveness in driving BU research forward.

Previously, Ken served for a year as interim University provost and chief academic officer, providing steady leadership through a period of transition, following a distinguished 17-year tenure as dean of the College of Engineering. As dean, he implemented innovative models for faculty recruitment and organization, strengthened efforts to support innovation and cross-disciplinary research, and positioned engineering as a leader in addressing pressing societal challenges.

A highly cited biomedical engineer, Ken is best known for his computational and imaging-based models of pulmonary function, with particular emphasis on asthma and COPD. He has also held leadership positions in several professional organizations, including serving as past president of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering. He earned his undergraduate degree in engineering science from the University of Virginia and his MS and PhD in biomedical engineering from Case Western Reserve University. He joined Boston University as an assistant professor of the biomedical engineering faculty, later becoming professor and department chair before his appointment as dean.

We are delighted to welcome Ken to this role and to support his efforts to advance BU’s research enterprise. At a time when the national and global research funding landscape is increasingly competitive and complex, Ken’s vision, experience, and commitment to innovation will help ensure that Boston University continues to expand its impact through discovery, scholarship, and collaboration. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Professor Tom Bifano, who has served with distinction as vice president ad interim for research since July 2024. Tom’s leadership has ensured stability and momentum in the Office of Research during a year marked by unprecedented change, and I thank him for his dedicated service.

Please join me in congratulating Ken Lutchen on this appointment and in thanking Tom Bifano for his outstanding leadership over the past year.

Announcing New Leadership in the Office of Research — 9-4-25