Smalley named Associate Dean for Research at SMHS and Associate Vice President for Research and Discovery Development in UND’s Division of Research & Economic Development
The UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) would like to welcome K. Bryant Smalley, Ph.D., Psy.D., M.B.A., who has been named the new Associate Dean for Research (ADR) at the School and will report to the SMHS Senior Associate Dean for Research Colin Combs, Ph.D.
As the ADR at North Dakota’s only medical school, Smalley will assist School Dean Marjorie Jenkins, M.D., MEdHP, FACP, with developing and implementing strategies for increasing external research funding in the School, promoting professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to enhance research skills and career growth, and implementing initiatives to support faculty and staff in the successful execution of research.
Simultaneously, Smalley has been named the Associate Vice President for Research and Discovery Development in UND’s Division of Research and Economic Development, reporting to Vice President for Research & Economic Development Scott Snyder, Ph.D.
In his role as Associate Vice President for Research and Discovery Development, Smalley will lead the development and implementation of programs related to Research and Discovery Development. This includes working with faculty to enhance skills in attracting funding and supporting pathways for career growth in research and discovery. In addition, he will be responsible for identifying and building support for and participation in large, multi-investigator funding opportunities. Smalley will also participate in efforts to develop a strategic vision to support discovery across the University. This includes identifying and implementing best practices, processes, staffing, and budget necessary to meet UND’s strategic vision in research and discovery.
A licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience as an administrator, researcher, and clinician, Smalley most recently served as Associate Vice President for Research at the University of Wyoming, where he supported University efforts in pre-award services, research integrity and compliance, faculty startup, faculty development, and contracted services. He additionally served as the founding Executive Director of the Wyoming Rural Health Institute, which he grew into a $10 million program.
Smalley’s research efforts have focused on community-based approaches to improve health and wellness outcomes in rural communities, with a particular focus on maternal and child health, chronic disease self-management, and mental/behavioral health. His work has been supported by more than $28 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the federal Corporation for National and Community Service, and several state agencies and private foundations. He has published more than 80 journal articles and book chapters, and co-authored six books, including Rural Mental Health and Rural Public Health.
Smalley is also involved in several national efforts, including being prior chair of the American Psychological Association’s Committee on Rural Health, presenting to the White House Rural Council, and having been named both Researcher of the Year and Educator of the Year by the National Rural Health Association.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to support the development of new research programs across UND’s campus, as well as to support the research enterprise within the School of Medicine and Health Sciences,” said Smalley, who has mentored dozens of faculty via seminar-style workshops and NIH-funded career development and grant-writing initiatives intended to grow the research workforce. “The University of North Dakota and SMHS are uniquely positioned to engage in impactful research that serves the citizens of North Dakota and beyond, and it is an honor to join the team. I look forward to working with faculty and staff across campus in supporting their research and discovery goals.”
