Dr. Lea has 20 years of extensive experience in academic research administration. As Vice President for Research at the 16-campus University of North Carolina System, he was responsible for securing external research support from federal, state and private sources, as well as promoting innovation for economic development and technology transfer. In this role he developed the state and federal research budget request for the System including successful NC Legislative support for the NC Research Campus at Kannapolis ($30M continuing), the $40M capital request for the NC State BTEC (Biotechnology and Engineering Center pilot plant), the $68M capital request for the NC Museum’s Nature Research Center, and the $32M capital request for the Coastal Studies Institute. All UNC inter-institutional centers, institutes and laboratories reported to his office. Prior to his tenure at the UNC System, he served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Research at North Carolina State University in Raleigh where he promoted a favorable environment to support industry R&D, including specialized membership centers and institutes. He also served to enhance R&D experiences for Centennial Campus tenants and was part of the administrative team in 1988 that secured pilot legislation to allow NC State to issue self liquidating bonds for construction on Centennial Campus. His leadership in electronic research administration led to a commercially available software package currently vended by a University of Southern California spin-out that has received Round III SBIR funding. Prior to his roles in academic research administration, Dr. Lea was active in environmental research as a professor of forestry, soil science, and ecology. His consulting company was the first faculty spin-out company to be located at Centennial Campus.

 

Dr. Lea has authored and coauthored numerous publications, journal articles, and papers on topics ranging from research funding to environmental issues. He was active in the establishment of the Society of Ecological Restoration, Society of Wetland Scientists and currently serves on the editorial board of Environmental Science and Policy Journal. He has consulted on environmental issues in Thailand, China and Vietnam.

 

Dr. Lea served on numerous boards, including the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the Small Business Technology Development Center, the NC Technology Development Authority, the Institute for Transportation Research and Education and the Coastal Studies Institute. Dr. Lea is a member of the Association of University

 

Technology Managers, the National Council of University Research Administrators, and the Society of Research Administrators. He is actively involved in technology development projects and collaborations in Canada, Mexico, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Ireland and South Africa.

 

As Vice President for Research at USA, Dr. Lea oversees research growth across the institution, including interdisciplinary research efforts, resource development, and the orchestration of all phases of research administration. He is the principal spokesperson for research administration programs and services; engages in strategic planning for University-wide research initiatives; and ensures effective and efficient pre- and post-award processes to maintain and advance research compliance. Dr. Lea oversees the activities of the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Office of Grants Administration, and Technology Transfer; provides oversight of the USA Technology and Research Park, and plans for its long-term growth and success; and supports the largest research endeavor in the University’s history—the Mitchell Cancer Institute.