Neal Nathanson, Ph.D., was named vice provost for research at the University of Pennsylvania as of Dec. 1, Provost Robert Barchi announced earlier this month.

A renowned microbiologist, Nathanson stepped down from his position as director of the Office of AIDS Research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in September, where he led an office that coordinated scientific, budgetary, legislative and policy elements of the NIH and also promoted collaborative research in the United States and abroad.

In his new post, Nathanson will oversee the policy and administration of Penn’s more than $500 million for research.

Nathanson rose to prominence for his work on polio and how it spreads. His research on viruses in sheep had applications to the virus that causes AIDS.