Welcoming a new director for Kansas NSF EPSCoR

From: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
Sent: Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, 9:30 a.m.
To: KU Lawrence research leaders, Office of Research staff

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to share that Michael Branicky has been named director of Kansas NSF EPSCoR, filling the vacancy created by Belinda Sturm's departure from the University of Kansas earlier this year. A professor of electrical engineering & computer science at KU, Michael brings extensive experience in academic leadership, research administration and national science policy to this important role. His previous service as dean of the KU School of Engineering and as a founding program director for the National Science Foundation's Cyber-Physical Systems program reflects a distinguished career dedicated to advancing research, innovation and education.

Michael is already deeply familiar with Kansas NSF EPSCoR's mission and work. Through his leadership of education and workforce development efforts within the ARISE initiative and the Kansas Data Science Consortium, he has helped advance opportunities for researchers, students and communities across our state. Kansas NSF EPSCoR supports research, education and workforce development initiatives that connect universities, communities and partners across Kansas, strengthening the state's ability to compete for research funding and address complex challenges. Michael's deep understanding of this landscape, combined with his longstanding commitment to collaboration and innovation, makes him exceptionally well positioned to lead Kansas NSF EPSCoR into its next chapter.

As we welcome Michael, I also want to express my appreciation for Belinda Sturm's leadership and service to Kansas NSF EPSCoR, KU and the state's research enterprise. Through her leadership of Kansas NSF EPSCoR and the ARISE initiative, she helped strengthen research partnerships and opportunities that continue to benefit institutions and communities across Kansas. Belinda now serves as department head of the Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech, and we wish her continued success.  

Please join me in welcoming Michael to this leadership position. I look forward to working with him as Kansas NSF EPSCoR continues to strengthen research capacity, foster innovation and create opportunities for researchers, students and communities throughout Kansas.

Respectfully,
Shelley

Shelley Hooks
Vice Chancellor for Research