SHSU Announces New Vice President for Research

SHSU Announces New Vice President for Research

Esther Olaleye has been named the new vice president for research and sponsored programs, effective Aug. 1. She will lead Sam Houston State University’s Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP).

“I am pleased to have Dr. Olaleye join Sam Houston State University,” Sumanth Yenduri, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, said. “I am confident that her leadership and experience will be influential to our research efforts and further support our faculty and student researchers.”

Olaleye, professor of pharmacology and American Council on Education Fellow, comes to SHSU from Texas Southern University, where she has worked in a variety of faculty and administrative roles for nearly 20 years. Most recently, she served as senior associate vice president for research and innovation and led the newly funded $21.5 million National Institutes of Health Center for Biomedical and Health Research.

“I am deeply honored and truly blessed to join the Sam Houston State University family to lead a research mission that places student success, community service and societal impact at the heart of every discovery,” Olaleye said. “I am so grateful to Provost Yenduri, President Alisa White, the search committee and SHSU family for entrusting me with this opportunity to champion the groundbreaking work of our world-class faculty, staff and students, working alongside our talented ORSP team to translate bold ideas into transformative opportunities that will elevate the Bearkat legacy and drive meaningful innovation across the state of Texas and beyond. I am fully committed to bridging high-impact research with student social mobility, ensuring our research enterprise serves as a powerful engine for institutional growth and student success.”

Driven by its commitment to supporting faculty, staff and students, the ORSP helps grow and strengthen the university's research enterprise through strategic partnerships and funding opportunities in pursuit of research and scholarly excellence.

SHSU is designated as a Research 2 (R2) High Research Spending and Doctorate Production University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.