Brent Feske, Ph.D., has been named associate vice president for Research in the Office of Research and Economic Development, effective March 1.  

Feske has served as the interim associate vice president for Research since Sept. 1, 2024. In this short time, he has already significantly impacted the University鈥檚 research enterprise.

As interim associate vice president for Research, Feske prioritized engaging with the people in his office and the colleges conducting research. 

鈥淚鈥檝e settled in and moved past the introductory phase,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 feel I鈥檝e gained a strong understanding of each college鈥檚 needs, wants, and aspirations. Together, we鈥檝e laid a solid foundation, and I鈥檓 excited to see how our scholarship enterprise can grow and how the Office of Research and Economic Development can help each college reach its full potential.鈥�

With nearly twenty years of experience as a dedicated faculty member, Feske brought valuable leadership to the Office of Research and Economic Development. Under his guidance, the office increased internal funding mechanisms to support research, doctoral students and external grant writing. He has also led improvements in how research expenditures are captured and properly coded, providing a clearer picture of the Georgia Southern research landscape. Additionally, he has played a key role in expanding the pre-award team, ensuring better support for faculty and staff throughout the grant submission and award process.

鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled to have Dr. Feske permanently join the team,鈥� said Vice President for Research and Economic Development David C. Weindorf, Ph.D. 鈥淗is experience as an administrator and a faculty member really does give him a 360-degree view of the research enterprise and makes him uniquely qualified to lead and help us grow in every aspect. We鈥檝e already accomplished so much, and I can鈥檛 wait to see what comes next.鈥�

Data shows that 妻友社区 has recently broken University records in research. According to 2024 year-end data published by the University set institutional records in three key areas. 

鈥淭his data reflects a research enterprise headed in the right direction, but more importantly, it indicates a culture driven by innovation, discovery, and the commitment of our faculty and students to continue serving the University, their community, and beyond,鈥� said Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Weindorf, Ph.D.

In the area of total scholarly output, Georgia Southern achieved a record high of 780, an 11% increase from 2023鈥檚 total of 701. This metric includes peer-reviewed research papers, refereed conference proceedings, books, and book chapters.

Under that same umbrella, Georgia Southern also made strides in peer-reviewed research papers, totaling 599, a 21% increase from 492 in 2023.

 Additionally, the University saw a significant increase in Quartile 1 journal publications. Quartile 1 journals are among the top 25% of research publications in any field of study. 2024鈥檚 tally of 389 is a 30% increase from 2023鈥檚 total of 298 and a University record.

Janny Crespo-Grow, Ph.D., will take on the new role of director of research security and export controls on Feb. 3. As part of the research integrity team under the vice president for Research and Economic Development, she will lead the implementation and administration of the University鈥檚 research security and export control programs while ensuring compliance with federal law, sponsor requirements and University policy.

In addition, Crespo-Grow will serve as the main point of contact for external inquiries relating to research security and export control. She will also manage training, education and guidance for faculty and staff.

鈥淲e are thrilled to add Dr. Crespo-Grow to our research integrity team,鈥� says Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Weindorf, Ph.D. 鈥淎dding someone with her credentials who will be solely dedicated to research security and export control means our faculty will be given an edge when targeting the biggest, most complex grants.鈥�

Crespo-Grow has previously served as the inaugural research integrity coordinator at the University of West Florida and then as an export control analyst at the University of Central Florida.

She says she鈥檚 excited to join during such a time of growth for the University鈥檚 research enterprise.

鈥淭o be able to bring these two parts of my background (research security and export control) together, and to do so at a perfect time when the University is growing and expanding, is really exciting,鈥� said Crespo-Grow.

She adds that she is excited to help faculty achieve their goals, lending the resources and knowledge necessary to pursue various grants and ultimately help Georgia Southern achieve R1 status.

鈥淗elping researchers and the University reach the next level, that鈥檚 my goal,鈥� she said.