Dear Staff and Faculty,

Research is foundational to how The University of Texas at Austin delivers our mission. It is how we discover new knowledge, spark innovation, and solve great challenges. The research that happens here drives economic growth across our state and nation. It makes our lives and the lives of others safer, healthier, and freer.

The Vice President for Research is a critical leadership position responsible for expanding our research enterprise and sponsored funding, championing our priorities with policymakers, and bringing more UT discoveries to the world. I am thrilled to announce that Dr. Fernanda Leite will serve in this role, effective June 1.

Fernanda is an exceptional leader who fully understands the breadth and world-class quality of our research enterprise. She knows how to build and sustain the collaborative environment that makes this University one of a kind. She has served as Interim Vice President for Research since August 2025, and during that time, she has taken bold steps to position UT for long-term success.

She led the distribution of millions in seed funding to hundreds of UT researchers, which launched early-stage research and collaborations across campus. She also led the establishment of a secure research infrastructure critical to maintaining our leadership in national defense research and technology development. She advocated for UT’s strength in research areas of national priority, engaging with federal agencies and leaders of major private foundations.

Fernanda is an award-winning, globally respected researcher who has spent the past 16 years on the Forty Acres. She specializes in construction engineering with a focus on integrating 3D modeling and artificial intelligence to build lasting and flexible infrastructure. She previously served as Associate Dean for Research in the Cockrell School of Engineering, where she helped launch major collaborations in semiconductors, quantum science, robotics, and AI. She has a strong record of bringing great minds together to accelerate our momentum and expand our impact.

Texas research leads our nation. Under Fernanda’s leadership, we will continue to thrive. We will solve big problems. We will advance the frontiers of science. And we will build human flourishing — one discovery at a time. Please join me in thanking Dr. Leite for accepting this well-deserved appointment.

Hook ’em!

Jim Davis
President