Ted Abel, professor and chair of the Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology in the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and the Roy J. Carver Director of the Iowa Neuroscience Institute, has been appointed the university's first president and provost distinguished fellow.

The new role within the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost will allow Abel to have an even greater impact on the implementation of the university's strategic plan, with a focus on faculty success, recognition, and collaboration across disciplines. He will begin May 1.

Over the past several years, Abel has played a key role in shaping initiatives that elevate UI faculty achievement and national visibility. He has been a core collaborator with the External Awards and Recognition Office, established within the Office of the Provost in 2024 to support faculty pursuing national and international honors.

A member of the National Academy of Medicine, Abel chairs the university's National Academy Advisory Group and has led outreach efforts to expand faculty engagement with the national academies.

"Ted has made significant contributions to advancing our strategic plan, particularly in strengthening how we recognize and support faculty excellence across the institution," says Kevin Kregel, UI executive vice president and provost. "He brings a unique combination of national distinction and collaborative leadership that will help us build even stronger systems to support faculty achievement and success."

In his new role, Abel will expand faculty mentoring efforts, support strategic faculty recruitment, and convene faculty retreats designed to foster collaboration and professional growth.

"Ted is a nationally recognized scientist and a forward-thinking leader who understands how to connect people and ideas to advance institutional priorities," says Denise Jamieson, UI vice president for medical affairs and the Tyrone D. Artz Dean of the Carver College of Medicine. "His commitment to faculty development and cross-disciplinary collaboration will be a tremendous asset as we continue to implement the university's strategic plan and invest in long-term academic excellence."

Abel will continue to serve as director of the Iowa Neuroscience Institute. With this appointment, he will step down as chair and department executive officer of the Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, a position he has held since 2019. A national search will be conducted to find the department's next leader, and Stefan Strack, professor and vice chair in the Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, has been named interim chair of the department during this transition.

"I'm honored to step into this new role and work more closely with colleagues across the university," Abel says. "The University of Iowa has extraordinary talent across disciplines, and I'm excited to help strengthen mentoring, recognition, and collaborative opportunities that empower our faculty to do their best work and amplify Iowa's impact across the country and beyond."

About Ted Abel

Ted Abel is an internationally recognized neuroscientist whose research focuses on how the brain learns and forms memories.

His research explores how life experiences can change the way genes work in the brain, shaping how people think, remember, and function over time. He is especially interested in understanding memory, as well as conditions like mental illness and diseases that affect the brain.

As director of the Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Abel brings together researchers from different fields to work on big questions about brain health and disease.

In addition to being a member of the National Academy of Medicine, Abel is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the Association for Psychological Science, and the American Psychological Association. He has authored more than 250 scientific publications, with research supported by major federal agencies and leading foundations.

Abel earned a doctoral degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Harvard University. He completed postdoctoral training in neurobiology at Columbia University and previously served on the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania before joining Iowa in 2017.