James A. Weyhenmeyer, PhD

Education

BA , Biology, Knox College, Biology, Galesburg, IL
PhD, Cell Biology/Immunology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Postdoctoral Fellow, Physiology/Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Biography

James Weyhenmeyer, PhD, served as Auburn University’s vice president for research and economic development from in 2019-2023. During that time, Auburn experienced notable growth in its research and development spending. From 2021-23, Auburn ranked in the top 11% of U.S. research institutions, coming in at 100 among 915 universities, according to the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development, or HERD Survey. During the period from 2017-22, Auburn’s annual research expenditures increased from $190.3 million to $304.4 million, resulting in a rankings jump of 14 places.

Dr. Weyhenmeyer joined Auburn from Georgia State University (GSU), where he served as vice president for research and economic development and as chair of the Research Foundation board of directors. At GSU, Dr. Weyhenmeyer managed the university’s research portfolio, economic development activities, and information technology operations. Before joining GSU, he was the senior vice provost for research and economic development at the State University of New York and the vice president for research at the State University of New York Research Foundation.

Dr. Weyhenmeyer has also held several executive administrative appointments, including posts as the vice president for technology and economic development at the University of Illinois. He was the founding managing director and CEO of Illinois VENTURES, LLC, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on the development of technology-based companies. His area of investment expertise is in the life sciences sector, including therapeutics, diagnostics, and medical devices. A serial entrepreneur, Dr. Weyhenmeyer has served in management positions for companies in the medical device, drug delivery and drug development sectors. He continues to serve as a scientific advisor for technology-based companies and a consultant for early-stage investment due diligence and business start-ups. Dr. Weyhenmeyer currently serves on a number of public and private boards of directors and lead an effort for the American Heart Association to launch a Science and Technology Accelerator Fund to reduce the time to market for groundbreaking discoveries impacting the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Dr. Weyhenmeyer has published widely in the areas of cardiovascular disease and stroke. He has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the American Heart Association, the PHARMA Foundation and private industry. He has received many awards and honors for his research, most recently the American Heart Association’s Meritorious Achievement Award for research and service. He is a professor of neuroscience and biology at Georgia State and continues to hold an appointment as adjunct professor of cell biology, neuroscience and pathology at the University of Illinois. He is professor of anatomy/physiology/pharmacology, biological sciences, and chemical engineering at Auburn University. He is also a member of several honorary societies, including the Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences. Weyhenmeyer received his B.A. from Knox College, a Ph.D. from Indiana University and did his postdoctoral training in the Departments of Medicine and Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Iowa.