Nadine Kabengi, a professor of geosciences and associate dean at The Graduate School at Georgia State University, has been appointed to the newly created position of associate vice president of Research Strategic Initiatives in the Office of Vice President for Research and Economic Development. In this role, Kabengi will work to expand the university’s research profile with an emphasis on grants, proposal development, innovation across disciplines, and strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration.
Donald Hamelberg, Georgia State’s vice president for Research and Economic Development, said: “Given the fast-paced changes in the funding environment, we wanted someone focused on specific ways to expand our grants portfolio and to work hand in hand with researchers and research administrators to build success. Dr. Kabengi’s skills and her years of service at the university as a professor, a researcher and a leader made her a strong choice for this new role. I know she will bring meaningful ideas to the table.”
Kabengi’s responsibilities will include setting research strategies and priorities, sponsoring high-impact initiatives, guiding investment decisions, and encouraging more interdisciplinary connections within Georgia State’s research community.
“I am excited to champion researchers across all disciplines and to work closely with Dr. Hamelberg to grow our research impact,” Kabengi said. “Our goal is not simply to get bigger. It is to get better at leveraging what’s unique about Georgia State.”
Kabengi holds a Ph.D. in Soil Physical Chemistry from the University of Florida as well as degrees in soil science and agricultural engineering from the American University of Beirut. She joined Georgia State in 2012 as an assistant professor before advancing through academic ranks in geosciences. As associate dean at The Graduate School, she worked across campus on initiatives supporting graduate education.
Her research focuses on environmental mineralogy and surface chemistry, particularly examining chemical reactions occurring where minerals meet water or fluids—a field relevant for environmental, geological, and technological applications.
For further details about Georgia State University’s research activities visit https://research.gsu.edu/.
