Jeff Underwood

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Dr. Jeffrey Underwood has joined the Office of Research Development as its new director. The office, which reports to UNCG Research and Engagement, will assist individuals and groups on campus in identifying funding opportunities and with the preparation and submission of proposals for grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.

Underwood comes to UNCG from California State University in Los Angeles, where he was associate vice president for research for seven years. As chief research officer for the regional comprehensive, Hispanic Serving Institution with 24,000 undergraduate, 3,600 graduate students, and approximately 700 full-time faculty members, he also managed Cal State LA’s presidentially chartered centers and institutes and served as the institution’s IRB, IACUC, and research integrity officer. He is a certified research administrator and has DOD security clearance.

“As we continue to grow and strengthen our research and creative scholarship at UNCG, the Office of Research Development will play a critical role in supporting our faculty and scholars. We are excited to have Dr. Underwood’s expertise and leadership in this important role,” said Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement Sherine Obare. 

Underwood has been a faculty member at Georgia Southern University, the University of Nevada in Reno, and Southern Illinois University, and he has published and held the role of principal investigator on multiple grants. He served as a department chair for six years and directed the Nevada State Climate Office for seven. His doctorate and masters in geography are from the University of Georgia, his bachelor’s in business administration is from Virginia Tech.