Houston doctor named head of research council

Internationally recognized nanomedicine scientist and University of St. Thomas staff member Dr. Mauro Ferrari has been named the next president of the European Research Council.

Ferrari, whose appointment will begin at the start of 2020, will oversee the research council, which is considered the premiere European funding organization for pioneering research in the European Union. The council has awarded about 9,000 research grants since its inception in 2007, according to a release.

“It’s an extraordinary opportunity. I’m very, very humbled,” said Ferrari, who spoke about what an honor it is to work for the council that supports research in all areas, including the physical sciences, engineering, and the life and social sciences and humanities. “It’s everything under one roof, and it’s a very exciting approach.”

The research council welcomed Ferrari as its next leader in a written statement.

“Returning to Europe after a career as an accomplished scientist and leader in the USA, and with a rich and diverse background in the field of research and its applications, he is set to bring a fresh outlook to the organization,” the council’s statement said.

“It’s an extraordinary opportunity. I’m very, very humbled. It’s everything under one roof, and it’s a very exciting approach.”

Dr. Mauro Ferrari, University of St. Thomas staff member

Carlos Moedas, the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, praised Ferrari’s expertise.

“The ERC has a global reputation for funding excellent, curiosity-driven research,” Moedas said in a statement. “With his understanding of the societal value of science, his strong leadership and exceptional communication skills, (Professor) Ferrari is the right person to take the ERC and European science to new heights.”

Ferarri’s latest appointment to the research council is another notable addition to a career that includes more than 500 publications, seven books and 46 patents.

Ferrari, a National Academy of Inventors inductee, began his career as mathematical physicist but later pursued a master’s degree and doctorate in mechanical engineering at the University of California-Berkeley, where he also became a tenured professor. At age 43, Ferrari decided to go to medical school at Ohio State University, where he was also a professor and a department chair. He also served as the special expert and adviser to the president of the National Cancer Institute.

Ferrari’s research has led to new technologies for health care applications such as drug delivery and cancer therapeutics, and in 2017, Pope Francis appointed him to the Pontifical Academy for Life, a scholarly body that embraces professionals of all faiths to discuss and advise leaders on ethics and scientific matters, including biology and medicine.

Ferrari began his Houston career about 15 years ago while working as a professor and department chair at UT Health, with a joint appointment at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Rice University, he said. He later worked for Houston Methodist Research, where he retired from his executive vice president position earlier this year, while balancing appointments as an adjunct professor at major universities throughout the Houston area, including University of Houston and Baylor University.

More recently, Ferrari joined Catholic Houston-based University of St. Thomas as its part-time executive vice president of strategic planning and community partnerships. The position came after Ferrari, who is also a member of St. Thomas’ board of directors, retired from Houston Methodist and helped create a master’s program in clinical translation management at St. Thomas. The online program helps students transform lab mistakes and discoveries into usable drugs, medical devices or clinical processes, according to a recent release from the university.

Ferrari said he’ll spend the rest of the year working closely with the current ERC president to transition into his new position, which will be headquartered in Brussels, but he will resume his duties at St. Thomas once he begins his presidency at ERC next year. He’ll be visiting Houston often, he added.

“I have a great affection for the city,” he said. “My life here has been wonderful. This place is staying in my heart.”