The “Aha” moment that makes it worth it: Dr. Ashwith Chilvery named assistant vice president of Xavier’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
New Orleans, La. – For Ashwith Chilvery, Ph.D., the “aha” moments he sees in students’ faces make him love being involved in higher education. For more than 10 years, he has played many vital, if eclectic roles, in helping students achieve their academic potential and come one step closer to realizing their dreams. Recently, Dr. Chilvery joined ձһƬ’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) to pursue furthering diverse representation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as the Office’s new assistant vice president of research and sponsored programs operations.
Xavier’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs provides comprehensive service and support for the University’s faculty and staff. Its mission is to grow, support and safeguard Xavier’s research and grants enterprise, allowing investigators to be successful in their sponsored program initiatives. The ORSP provides services in four major areas: administration of pre- and post-award activities, support of university research compliance activities, oversight of the university’s vivarium, facilitation of technology transfer. The office is also involved in strategic initiatives in innovation and economic development in collaboration with academic, health care and industry partners. As the new assistant vice president of research and sponsored programs operations, Dr. Chilvery will support the University’s research and sponsored programs by providing leadership in the areas of research, research administration and sponsored programs management.
“We are very excited to have Dr. Chilvery join the ORSP team,” said Kaneisha Akinpelumi, Associate Vice President of Xavier’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. “ORSP is devoted to expanding Xavier’s research capacity, grants portfolio and student opportunities to participate in innovative, ground-breaking research and programming throughout multiple disciplines and industries. Dr. Chilvery’s faculty experience, scientific background, drive, and business acumen make him perfectly suited to advance our goals.”
Dr. Chilvery, a tenured faculty member in the Department of Physics and Computer Science at Xavier for seven years, began his duties at the ORSP just before the start of the fall semester.
He expressed his excitement at the opportunity to grow research horizons, forge partnerships, and expand research opportunities offered to Xavierites.
“Given today’s circumstances, creative and strategic leadership is needed to build capacities and expand scientific research capabilities at Xavier and other HBCUs across the nation,” said Dr. Chilvery. “As a focal point for all research operations here on the campus, there is no better place than ORSP for me to demonstrate the brains of a scientist, the heart of a faculty, and the sensitivities of an administrator.”
In addition to his doctorate in applied physics, Dr. Chilvery also holds an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Dr. Chilvery began his career as a technology transfer specialist more than ten years ago, facilitating grant writing workshops for minority-, women- and veteran-owned small businesses to pursue inclusion in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The short internship that ran the whole gamut from ideation to innovation set him firmly in the orbit of Higher Education, which according to Dr. Chilvery, is one of the most mature yet most innovative industries to be involved with.
With research interests in the diverse fields of material sciences and electrical engineering with applications in Photovoltaics and Advanced Sensors, Dr. Chilvery is a recipient of various research fellowships from the Department of Energy (DoE) and the Department of Defense (DoD). He has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications, served on a few journal advisory boards, and has reviewed over 30 panels for various federal agencies, including NSF, NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He serves as a campus representative for the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium and on the Deans’ Council for the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).
Dr. Chilvery looks forward to utilizing his experience as an individual investigator, educator, program manager and consultant to help the office streamline operations and provide strategic insight. Now, he looks forward to helping Xavier students and faculty explore the unexplored and use their new discoveries to make the world more just and humane.
# # #
About ձһƬ
ձһƬ, America’s only historically Black and Catholic University, is ranked among the top three HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) in the nation. Recognized as a national leader in STEM and health sciences, Xavier produces more African American students who graduate from medical schools each year than any other university in the United States. Additionally, Xavier’s College of Pharmacy is also among the top producers of African American pharmacists in the country.
Established in 1925, by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament as a place for African American and Native Americans to receive quality education, Xavier has since expanded its programs in art, business, education, biological sciences, chemistry, pharmacy and political science. More recent additions in robotics, bioinformatics, engineering, data science, neuroscience and genetics, in addition to new STEM-based master’s programs, have provided Xavier students (2815 undergraduates and 787 graduates) an unbeatable combination of traditional classroom study, hands-on research, service-learning opportunities and life experiences. Xavier students collaborate with world-renowned faculty, who are experts in their fields, to produce award-winning research and notable work. The winning Xavier formula is to provide students with a well-balanced curriculum and an environment that nurtures their intellect and feeds their souls, thereby facilitating a more just and humane society for all. For more information about ձһƬ, visit us online at or contact Regi Reyes at (504) 520-5240 or rreyes@xula.edu.