Michael E. Zwick

Michael E. Zwick, Ph.D., is the Senior Vice President for Research at Rutgers University, a Professor of Genetics at Rutgers-New Brunswick, and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). As Rutgers University’s Chief Research Officer, he oversees a university-wide research enterprise with nearly $1 billion in sponsored awards. He leads the Office for Research (300 staff, $80 million budget) and serves as Rutgers’ chief research officer and institutional official for the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). His people-focused leadership centers on cultivating emerging leaders who bring strategic clarity, operational rigor, and partnership skills to transform 20th-century research universities into agile, innovative 21st-century institutions. Together, the teams he leads foster a culture of purpose, accountability, and achievement that aligns with the university’s tripartite mission of teaching, research, and public service, empowering faculty, students, and staff to reach their highest potential. Dr. Zwick earned a B.S. from Cornell University in Biological Sciences, specializing in Genetics and Development, a Ph.D. in Population Biology from the Center for Population Biology at the University of California, Davis, and was a Professor of Human Genetics at Emory University’s School of Medicine. His research uses genetic principles to identify causes of rare and common disorders. In addition to his experience as a human geneticist, Dr. Zwick served as a United States Naval officer. He served onboard the USS KAUFFMAN (FFG 59) for 38 months and is a veteran of Desert Storm. As a reservist, he served in multiple commands, including the Commander, Pacific Fleet; the Commander, US Forces Japan; the Naval Medical Research Center; and the Office of Naval Research. Dr. Zwick was called to active duty to support the Iraq and Afghanistan war efforts from November 2002 through November 2004. He retired at the rank of Commander (O-5) after more than 25 years of service.

Read the Rutgers Research and Innovation Annual Impact Report for Fiscal Year 2025