Roderick Nairn, Ph.D., assumed the post of Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs effective July 1, 2008. In addition to his administrative position, Dr. Nairn is also Professor of Biology in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, as well as Professor of Immunology in the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado Denver.

Dr. Nairn obtained his PhD in biochemistry from the University of London and the Medical Research Council, National Institute for Medical Research, London, England.  After post-doctoral training in Immunology/Immunogenetics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, Dr. Nairn joined the faculty of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.  While at the University of Michigan, Dr. Nairn established a research program in basic cell and molecular immunology, developed a continuing interest in medical and graduate education, and was Director of the Medical Scientist (MD/PhD) Training Program.  Dr. Nairn was Professor and Chair, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at Creighton University School of Medicine from 1995 through 2003, was Interim Dean, School of Medicine from 1997 to 1998, and then became Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, with responsibility for oversight of research, faculty affairs and development, medical education, student affairs and admissions, graduate medical education and continuing medical education.  Dr. Nairn was Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Professor, Microbiology & Immunology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center from Jan. 1, 2004, to March 2007, where he was responsible for oversight of the academic and research missions, all university institutes, institutional planning and effectiveness, institutional compliance, the health sciences center libraries, and student support services and operations.

Dr. Nairn initially joined the University of Colorado Denver team on March 19, 2007, as Vice Provost and Vice Chancellor for University Initiatives, where he had responsibility for:

• Coordinating leadership efforts to implement and optimize consolidation
• Overseeing and coordinating institutional and facilities planning efforts for the university, including the move of health sciences academic and research programs to the new Anschutz Medical Campus
• Working with the two graduate schools on a proposed consolidation plan
• Liaison for the planning of the Colorado School of Public Health
• Serving on the leadership team for the 2010-11 NCA accreditation review.

 He has published widely in several basic science areas, been a reviewer for various scientific journals and funding agencies, and co-authored a textbook for medical students.