Following a national search, Augusta University President Russell T. Keen has named Phillip Popovich, PhD, an internationally recognized neuroscientist whose research focuses on neurotrauma and neuroimmunology, as AU’s executive vice president for research and innovation, effective Feb. 1, 2027. Pending approval by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, he also will be appointed a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar.

“Dr. Popovich brings a proven commitment to supporting faculty, building partnerships and turning translational research into discoveries that improve lives,” said Keen. “His appointment reflects our investment in research and innovation and the faculty, staff and students who make it possible. I look forward to working alongside him as we expand Augusta University’s life-changing, life-saving impact throughout Georgia and beyond.”

Popovich will join AU from The Ohio State University, where he began his career as a postdoctoral fellow in 1995 after completing his doctoral studies in physiology. He earned his undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1990, studying biology with an additional specialization in physiology.

At Ohio State, he chairs the Department of Neuroscience, directs the Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair and serves as executive director of the Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury. He also holds distinguished professor designations from the university and its College of Medicine.

In 2025, he was appointed to an enterprise-level research leadership role, helping develop a new research institute, with research oversight responsibilities spanning the colleges of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Optometry and Pharmacy and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. His responsibilities included promoting research and securing resources through public advocacy, partnerships and philanthropy.

“Dr. Popovich is an internationally recognized scientist and proven research leader who understands how to bring talented people together around common and ambitious goals,” said David Hess, MD, dean of the Medical College of Georgia. “He is widely respected not only for his scientific accomplishments, but also for his ability to inspire teams, mentor investigators, and build strong research programs. He brings the vision, experience and energy needed to help elevate our research enterprise to the next level.”

In 2006, Popovich established the Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair to unify neurotrauma research across Ohio State. The center has more than 45 staff members and has conducted more than $100 million in externally funded research. In 2018, he secured a $10 million gift to establish the Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury, which he has led since its founding.

His university leadership experience also includes serving as co-director of Ohio State’s Neurological Research Institute, a faculty representative to the university’s Board of Trustees and co-chair of its 2023 presidential search. He also serves on the board of directors of the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation.

These experiences will inform his leadership at AU as the university strengthens support for faculty, staff and student research, builds partnerships and advances discoveries that benefit communities throughout Georgia and beyond.

Alongside his leadership responsibilities, his academic career includes research and teaching appointments across neuroscience, microbiology and immunology. He also served as a visiting professor at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases in 2013.

“I am grateful to Dr. David Hess and the search committee for the time, care and thoughtful consideration they devoted to this important search,” said Keen. “Their commitment to Augusta University helped us identify an accomplished researcher and leader who will build on our strengths and help our university achieve even more. I also thank everyone who participated in the process and shared their perspectives.”

Search Committee:

• David Hess, Search Committee Chair, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the Medical College of Georgia 
• David Fulton, Director of the Vascular Biology Center 
• Maggy G. Tomova, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
• Chris McKinney, Associate Vice President for Innovation Commercialization 
• Alexander Schwarzmann, Dean of the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences 
• Teresa Waters, Dean of the School of Public Health 
• Babak Baban, Associate Dean for Research, Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences 
• Justin Burns, Chief Innovation Officer and Vice President for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for the Georgia Research Alliance 
• David Mattson, Chair of the Department of Physiology in the Medical College of Georgia 
• Laurie Ott, Executive Director for Georgia Higher Education Healthcare Initiative 
• Scott Thorp, Chair of the Department of Art and Design in the Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences 
• Lynn Hedrick, Co-Director of the Immunology Center of Georgia