Curt Peterson has been appointed interim vice president for research and economic development at West Virginia University, Provost Gerald Lang announced.

Peterson, who has been serving as WVU associate vice president for research and economic development since February 2005, will take over for John Weete who is leaving the University to become executive director of the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation.

I am pleased we have a person of Curt’s talent and ability to serve in this interim position,Lang said.Curt’s knowledge of our research agenda will allow the institution to continue to move forward in this most important mission area.”

As associate vice president for research, Peterson has worked with faculty and associate research deans at WVU to implement the strategic plan for research and economic development. He also has served as WVU coordinator and a co-principal investigator for the WV EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) program.

Peterson came to WVU from the University of Northern Colorado where he was serving as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Before that, he spent several years teaching at Auburn University.

He has a doctorate degree in biology from the University of Oregon.

Petersons appointment is effective Aug. 16.