Skip to main content
University of Nebraska Omaha logo University of Nebraska Omaha
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY

APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
  • About Backback to Main menu
    • About
    • Leadership
    • Mission and Strategic Plan
    • Accreditation
    • Our City
    • Facts and Figures
    • Campus Safety
    • Buildings and Maps
    • Contact Us
  • Academics Backback to Main menu
    • Academics
    • Majors & Programs
    • Class Search
    • Catalogs
    • Academic Calendar
    • Colleges
    • Academic Affairs
    • Online Learning
    • International
    • Library
  • Admissions Backback to Main menu
    • Admissions
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Financial Aid
    • Registrar
    • Visit UNO
    • Request Info
    • Apply
  • Student Life Backback to Main menu
    • Student Life
    • Division of Student Life and Wellbeing
    • Academic & Career Development Center
    • Accessibility
    • Housing & Residence Life
    • Inclusion
    • Service
    • Student Conduct & Community Standards
    • Student Involvement
    • Student Safety
    • Wellness
  • Engagement Backback to Main menu
    • Engagement
    • Office of Engagement
    • Campus Resources for Community
    • Service Learning Academy
    • Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center
    • Volunteer and Civic Engagement Programs
    • Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center
    • Faculty Resources
    • Student Resources
    • Voter Engagement
    • Community Engagement Partnership Initiative
  • Research Backback to Main menu
    • Research
    • Research News
    • Centers and Institutes
  • Athletics Backback to Main menu
    • Athletics
    • Baxter Arena
    • Omaha Mavericks Website
  • Alumni Backback to Main menu
    • Alumni
    • Transcripts
    • Thompson Center
  1. UNO
  2. News
  3. 2022
  4. 09
  5. Bayles to Step Down as Associate Vice Chancellor

Bayles to Step Down as Associate Vice Chancellor

Ken Bayles, Ph.D., who had served as associate vice chancellor for research and creative activity, was recently announced as UNMC's next vice chancellor for research. His last day at UNO will be Oct. 1.

  • published: 2022/09/02
  • contact: Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: contact@unomaha.edu
  • search keywords:
  • research
  • creative activity
  • academic affairs
  • leadership
Ken Bayles

Ken Bayles, Ph.D.

University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, has announced that Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Creative Activity Ken Bayles, Ph.D., will step down from his role effective Oct. 1, 2022.

Bayles, who held a similar position at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), was named UNMC’s new vice chancellor for research, following a national search. Next steps regarding the position will be shared with campus in the coming weeks.

“Dr. Bayles’ contributions to UNO during his time overseeing our research and creative activity efforts cannot be overstated,” Chancellor Li said. “Under his direction, UNO has made major strides – and contributions – toward innovative new ideas that have and will continue to benefit our state and country.”

Bayles joined UNO in 2018 in an interim capacity overseeing the Office of Research and Creative Activity (ORCA) before formally taking on the role of associate vice chancellor in 2020. In his time overseeing the office, ORCA helped UNO nearly double its external funding; helped develop research internship pipeline programs for UNO students; helped UNO establish local and national government partnerships; and developed expanded administrative support of scholarship in the areas of social sciences, the arts, and humanities.

“UNO is in a much stronger place today thanks to Dr. Bayles’ leadership,” said Deborah Smith-Howell, Ph.D., UNO’s interim senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. “His tireless work to shine a light on the amazing work happening here on campus has been invaluable to our faculty and students.”

Efforts that took shape under Bayles’ leadership include the selection of UNO as the home for the Department of Homeland Security’s National Counterterrorism, Innovation, Technology and Education (NCITE) Center of Excellence; the development of the STEM TRAIL Center in support of developing STEM Education across the state;, extension of UNO’s Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH);, and the growth of UNO’s Student Research and Creative Activity Fair.

"Words cannot express my gratitude for the opportunity to work with the many incredible faculty and staff at UNO,” Bayles said. “I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I started four years ago, but with its metropolitan mission and innovative programs, I quickly realized what a special place this was. The diversity of projects I learned about, both in research and creative activity, greatly enriched my life and I will be forever grateful."

In addition to his roles overseeing research at UNO and UNMC, Bayles is an active infectious disease researcher at UNMC and a professor in UNMC’s Department of Pathology and Microbiology. His research has helped expand Department of Defense-related activities including work on countermeasures against weapons of mass destruction and he will continue his work overseeing his UNMC lab while in his new role.

Bayles joined UNMC in 2005 as a member of the Department of Pathology and Microbiology following time at the University of Idaho. He holds a Ph.D. in microbiology from Kansas State University.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

Follow UNO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 

  • News Sections:
  • UNO News Center
  • Maverick Daily
  • The Bullseye
  • Campus Events
SHARE

News Sections

  • News Center
  • Maverick Daily
  • The Bullseye
  • Campus Events

Featured Stories

  • Social Mobility, Experiential Learning Focus of Interview with UNO Chancellor Li
  • UNO Students Graduate as Community Engaged Scholars
  • The Semester Guide
  • More Than 4,800 UNO Students Named to Dean's, Chancellor's Lists in Fall 2022

Contact Us

If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu.

About University Communications

  • Next Steps
  • Visit UNO
  • Request Information
  • Apply for Admission
  • The UNO Advantage
  • Our City (Omaha)
  • Just For You
  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Work at UNO
  • Faculty and Staff
  • A-Z List
  • Popular Services and Resources
  • my.unomaha.edu
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Buildings & Maps
  • Library
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Course Catalogs
  • Internships & Career Development
  • Bookstore
  • MavCARD Services
  • Military-Connected Resource Center
  • Speech Center
  • Writing Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Faculty Excellence
  • Affiliates
  • University of Nebraska System
  • NU Foundation
  • Buffett Early Childhood Institute
  • Daugherty Water for Food Institute
  • National Strategic Research Institute
  • Peter Kiewit Institute
  • Rural Prosperity Nebraska
  1. University Policies
  2. Privacy Statement
  3. Accessibility
  1. 402.554.2800

University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
  • © 2023  
  • Emergency Information Alert
  • Report an Incident or Concern

Omaha Skyline

Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.

scroll to top of page