UTARI Welcomes New Executive Director, Dr. Richard M. Voyles

We are excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Richard M. Voyles, Automation and Robotics Chair, as the new Executive Director of the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), effective October 1.

Dr. Voyles joins UTARI as a distinguished leader and innovator in applied research, bringing with him a career that spans industry, academia, and government. He joins us from Purdue University, where he led the Collaborative Robotics Lab and served as the Daniel C. Lewis Professor of the Polytechnic and Professor of Robotics in the School of Engineering Technology—experience that strategically compliments and strengthens UTARI’s suite of cutting-edge capabilities.

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Voyles has significantly shaped national research initiatives through his roles at the National Science Foundation and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy where he launched the National Robotics Initiative and co-founded the Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program.

As Executive Director, Dr. Voyles will lead UTARI in advancing our mission, expanding our reach, and deepening our strategic partnerships. His proven experience in bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application will be invaluable as we continue to drive innovation throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region and beyond.

His appointment marks an exciting new chapter for UTARI, and we are confident that that his visionary leadership and strategic expertise will be instrumental in strengthening the institute and expanding its influence as we continue to propel UTA to the forefront of discovery.