In July 2005, Lee Huntsman was selected by Washington Governor Christine Gregoire as the first executive director of the Life Sciences Discovery Fund Authority, a public-private partnership intended to give life sciences research in the state a major boost.
After distinguished service in academic leadership spanning more than two decades, Lee Huntsman was named President Emeritus by the University of Washington Board of Regents in July 2004. He continues to provide leadership in a variety of scientific and policy initiatives underway at the University and in the State of Washington. He also currently serves as a member of the Committee on Enhancing the Master's Degree in the Natural Sciences for the National Academies.
Trained in electrical engineering at Stanford University, Huntsman earned a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He joined the University of Washington as a research assistant professor in the Center for Bioengineering in 1968. In 1980 he became Director of Bioengineering, a position he held for 16 years. During that time, the Center experienced remarkable growth in size, quality, and reputation. Today Bioengineering is a department and considered one of the strongest academic bioengineering units in the world.
Huntsman also served as associate dean for scientific affairs in the UW School of Medicine from 1993 to 1996, a role in which he provided broad scientific and graduate education leadership. His duties included participation in executive decision making during a time when the School was confronting a variety of competitive pressures both in research and clinical practice. Throughout the years in Bioengineering and Medicine he maintained an active research program focused on the application of engineering principles to biology and medicine. His laboratory received continuous NIH funding. Huntsman is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering.
Dr. Huntsman became Acting Provost of the University of Washington in 1996 and Provost in 1997. As the University's chief academic and budgetary officer, he provided leadership in long-range strategic planning, formulation and allocation of capital and operating budgets, educational and curriculum development, management of the University's research programs, academic and administrative personnel matters, and allocation of space.
Beginning in November 2002, Huntsman became Interim President and then President of the University of Washington. As President, he led the UW through a challenging time of transition that included rethinking of state - university relations and a capital campaign. Despite declining support from the state over the last 15 years, the University has enhanced its quality, competed successfully in nearly all areas of scholarship, and developed a national reputation for innovation in both teaching and research.
Modified: 06/30/08