Dr. Bayles named first associate vice chancellor for basic science research

Ken Bayles, Ph.D., professor of pathology and microbiology and director of the UNMC Center for Staphylococcal Research, has been named the first associate vice chancellor for basic science research, effective Monday.

Ken Bayles, Ph.D.

The position was created to facilitate communication about research programs and resources with the basic science research community and help the vice chancellor for research develop initiatives, programs and core facilities that will attract and retain nationally recognized investigators.

“Ken is a nationally recognized researcher who has built an accomplished translational research team,” said Jennifer Larsen, M.D., vice chancellor for research. “He understands the importance of basic and clinical investigators working together to successfully tackle our greatest health problems and to grow UNMC’s research enterprise.”

Dr. Bayles file Funding history: Funded by the National Institutes of Health for more than 15 years, also supported by grants from: The National Science Foundation; Department of Defense; and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Education: Ph.D., Kansas State University, 1989

A native of Hutchinson, Kan., Dr. Bayles joined UNMC in 2005. His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms controlling cell death in bacteria and similar processes in animal cells.

He is the founding director of UNMC’s Center for Staphylococcal Research, the first in the nation focused solely on the research and treatment of staph infections.

Staphylococcus is a common cause of infection. Some staph strains have become resistant to antibiotics, referred to as MRSA, making them harder to treat and an increasing health concern. In 2009, he was co-chairman of the Gordon Conference on Staphylococcal Diseases.