UCSD
CAMPUS NOTICE
University of California, San Diego
 

OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR

April 3, 2006


ALL ACADEMICS AND STAFF AT UCSD (including UCSD Healthcare)

SUBJECT:    Vice Chancellor Holmes Announcement

Edward W. Holmes, Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences and Dean of the School of Medicine, has announced that he will be leaving UCSD at the end of September to join the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore, and the National University of Singapore (NUS), to help oversee developing efforts in translational medical research.

I understand and respect Vice Chancellor Holmes’ decision to accept this new exciting position, although I regret losing a tremendous colleague and visionary leader who has done so much for the University during his tenure. Among his many contributions to UC San Diego are his stellar recruitments of senior administrators and department chairs who are poised to carry on the many important initiatives underway in the Health Sciences and ensure a smooth transition. On a personal note, he has been a valued member of my senior leadership team, and his advice and friendship have been invaluable.

Vice Chancellor Holmes was recruited to UC San Diego in 2000 from Duke University, where he was Dean and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at the Duke University School of Medicine. Under his leadership, the Health Sciences has grown and thrived. He has spearheaded the reorganization of the academic structure within the Health Sciences and built cross-campus and multi-institutional partnerships to strengthen the bench-to-bedside mission of the Health Sciences. He put into place the College of Integrated Life Sciences (COILS) with integrated units dedicated to basic research, clinical research and clinical excellence, all in support of a multi-disciplinary educational program focusing on dual degrees (M.D.-Ph.D.s) and opportunities for medical students to learn the rigors of basic research along with their patient care training.

He has overseen the launching of UCSD’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the construction of a new building to house the school; the opening of the Moores UCSD Cancer Center; expansion of the Shiley Eye Center; building of the Leichtag Family Foundation Biomedical Research Facility; and approval for the Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center and expansion of Thornton Hospital. He has led UCSD Medical Center’s long-range planning effort. He has focused on international relationships, developing collaborations with Christian Medical College in India and the National University of Singapore. He was also part of the effort leading to the recently announced San Diego Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, a four-way collaboration in stem-cell research between UCSD, the Burnham Institute, the Salk Institute and The Scripps Research Institute.

In his new position, Holmes will become Executive Deputy Chairman for Clinical-Translational Sciences at the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) of A*STAR. He will also be appointed Lien Ying Chow Professor of Medicine at the National University of Singapore. His role will include enhancing translational research synergies between A*STAR research institutes, NUS, and hospitals and disease centers in Singapore.

Although he will be sorely missed, I understand his excitement about pursuing this opportunity to participate in a burgeoning new center for life sciences research and technology development. I know we can look forward to working together in the future, as UC San Diego strengthens its own global ties to world centers such as Singapore, enriching research and educational opportunities among our institutions and creating a strong network of collaboration throughout the Pacific Rim.

We will soon begin a national search for Vice Chancellor Holmes’ replacement. Please join me in expressing appreciation for his leadership and service during his tenure here.


Marye Anne Fox
Chancellor