The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) is pleased to announce that Audrey Vasauskas, PhD, has been named Director of Research and Grant Development.

Dr. Vasauskas brings more than 20 years of experience in research, grants and higher education to the position. Most recently, she served as associate professor of physiology at ACOM, where she also served as Research Committee chair and principal investigator.

As Director of Research and Grant Development, Dr. Vasauskas will coordinate and provide support for the growth of research at ACOM, oversee research program strategy development, and actively work to identify grant opportunities. This includes coordinating submission of proposals to federal, state, industry and non-profit sponsors to support individual, collaborative and major interdisciplinary research activities.

Dr. Vasauskas received her PhD and post-doctoral training from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in biology from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Maryland. Dr. Vasauskas has been the recipient of several extramural research grants from the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association. She has also served as a science policy and research advocate to the United States Congress. Dr. Vasauskas has been teaching cell and system physiology for over a decade and has mentored many undergraduate, graduate and medical students both in academia and industry. Prior to her career in academia, she spent several years in the biotechnology industry as project leader for oncology diagnostic development.

“I am sincerely thrilled to take on this new role within ACOM, where I can help grow our research program(s) from an already strong foundation,” Dr. Vasauskas said. “We have the ingredients to nurture a thriving, collaborative research culture; our students, faculty, and staff are incredible. For me, being able to combine my research and grant experience with my passion for helping students and faculty achieve their research goals is truly a dream come true.”