Vice Chancellor for Research
Dr. John MacMillan is a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where his research laboratory focuses on the discovery and characterization of biologically active molecules from microorganisms. This research has focused predominantly on the therapeutic areas of infectious disease and oncology, combining phenotypic screening, isolation and mechanism of action studies towards the discovery of more than 100 new natural products. This work has led to establishment of the Center for High Functional Annotation of Natural Products (HIFAN), which is a multi-institutional center funded by the NIH to study the mechanism of botanicals and natural products. His work in the area of oncology has yielded a first in-class inhibitor of Hypoxia Inducible Factor 2 (HIF-2) that is currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.
Dr. MacMillan holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Davis. Prior to moving to the University of California, Santa Cruz he was on faculty at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives
Dr. Eric Palkovacs is a professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, associate director of the Institute of Marine Sciences, and director of the Fisheries Collaborative Program. He is also the UC Santa Cruz lead principal investigator for the Cooperative Institute for Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Systems (CIMEAS), a consortium of nine Califiornia institutions working in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration
Csilla M. Csaplár leads and supports the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP), Office of Research Compliance Administration (ORCA), and Proposal Administration. She joins UC Santa Cruz with extensive experience in lifecycle sponsored research proposal and award management, policy development and compliance, and academic affairs partnership and support. Prior to coming to UC Santa Cruz, Csilla spent 18 years at Stanford University, where she held a variety of positions in research administration with pre-award, post-award, and compliance responsibilities. She is a dedicated advocate and ally for equity and inclusion initiatives. Csilla is active in the national research administration community, including leadership and teaching roles with NCURA and FDP, and participation in COGR. Csilla began her career in grants management at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and is a graduate of UCLA (B.A. Biogeography) and California State University, East Bay (M.S. Educational Leadership).
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation & Business Engagement
Ryan Sharp leads the Innovation & Business Engagement Hub, which helps support the campus community in bringing to market cutting-edge research and ideas from faculty, students and innovators, expanding corporate philanthropy and partnerships, creating more career pathways for students, and supporting a thriving regional economy. Sharp earned a master’s degree in international affairs from CSU, Sacramento, and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from UC Davis. He also holds a graduate certificate in collaborative governance from CSU, Sacramento, and the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council. Sharp has been with the UC system since 2015 and joined UC Santa Cruz in 2021.