Lois J. Geist, associate provost for faculty and professor in the Department of Internal Medicine in the Carver College of Medicine, has been named interim vice president for research at Iowa, effective Sept. 16.

Geist steps into the interim role for Marty Scholtz, who has accepted a position at Brown University. Scholtz announced in February that he would step down from his role at the end of his five-year term. A national search is underway for his replacement.

“Dr. Geist has demonstrated strong leadership during her time as associate provost for faculty and I am pleased she has agreed to take on this important role for the university,” says Barbara Wilson, president of the UI.

Geist was appointed associate provost for faculty in November 2019. She has been a professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine within the Department of Internal Medicine since 1990. She served as associate dean of faculty affairs and development within the Carver College of Medicine from 2003-2020 while maintaining an active clinical practice.

“I am excited to serve the university in this interim role,” says Geist. “I have had the privilege of working with colleagues from across campus who are conducting important research, scholarship, and creative activity and I look forward to building on this excellence.”

Geist earned an MS in biology and an MD from Case Western Reserve University. She completed a residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland and a fellowship at UI Health Care. She is a member of the Pulmonary Subspecialty Board and the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Geist’s appointment is subject to approval by the Iowa Board of Regents.