Chad Walton

Chad Walton began as interim vice president for research and innovation for the 10-campus UH System on July 1, 2025. Walton joined the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation in April 2025 as the associate vice president.

In that role, Walton was responsible for directing major systemwide research programs and initiatives to align with UH‘s strategic direction and metrics, including STEM education and small business innovation programs. As interim vice president he will continue to create research and workforce/economic development programs to increase community/industry support and strengthen UH‘s technology transfer efforts. Walton will also work with the UH Foundation to oversee the development of the UH System Office of Strategic Philanthropic Partnerships.

Walton previously served as assistant vice provost for research and scholarship at UH Mānoa, where he led the materials science initiative that secured major funding and drew faculty participation campus-wide. He currently serves on several advisory boards and steering committees.

Walton is a trained bioengineer who developed technology for National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health-funded grants, with expertise in vaccine development, acoustics-based gene delivery, and molecular cardiology, holding several U.S. patents. He earned degrees from Northern Arizona University, University of Calgary and UH Mānoa. After his PhD, he worked at the John A. Burns School of Medicine before moving to the Department of Surgery, where he served as trauma research director for Hawaiʻi’s Trauma System.