Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Donald Hamelberg (Ph.D. ’01), professor of chemistry and associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Arts & Sciences, has accepted the role of interim vice president for Research & Economic Development, effective Nov. 1.
As a faculty member at Georgia State for 15 years, Dr. Hamelberg has excelled as a leading researcher and a committed teacher and administrator.
As associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Arts & Sciences, Dr. Hamelberg oversaw grant submissions, supported research and graduate programs, and supervised the Grants and Contracts and Graduate Services offices.
Before joining the College of Arts & Sciences dean’s office, Dr. Hamelberg led the Department of Chemistry as chair for three years. The department’s accomplishments under his leadership include the development of a new strategic plan, the addition of new junior faculty members, the creation of new externally funded graduate fellowships, the expansion of the department’s research portfolio and a 46 percent increase in research awards to faculty.
Prior to his time as department chair, Dr. Hamelberg served as associate chair, director of graduate studies and associate director of graduate studies. Through his numerous roles, Dr. Hamelberg has developed an extensive understanding of our research enterprise. As a scientist, he has secured more than $4 million in grant funding at Georgia State to conduct research in computational biophysical chemistry. He has published 100 papers in respected journals and currently serves as editor of the journal Computational Biology and Chemistry (Elsevier), as a reviewing editor of eLife and is on several editorial advisory boards.
Dr. Hamelberg’s awards and recognitions include the NSF CAREER Award, prestigious recognitions from the American Chemical Society and Georgia Cancer Coalition, and multiple college awards. He received his Ph.D. in Computational Biophysical Chemistry from Georgia State in 2001.
I am excited to work with Donald and draw on his wealth of experience to continue to advance the research trajectory and growth of our university. Please join me in congratulating Donald and wishing him the best in this interim position. A national search for the position will begin in early 2024.
All the best,
