UCO’s John Barthell Named President-Elect for Council on Undergraduate Research Board
June 8, 2026
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John Barthell, Ph.D., chief research officer at the University of Central Oklahoma, has been elected to serve on the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) board of directors as an officer in the presidential path.
Barthell will serve a three-year term on a stepped rotation that includes the roles of president-elect (2026-27), president (2027-28) and immediate past president (2028-29). He has been involved with CUR for more than 20 years, serving on the board of directors since 2020 and as a representative since 2011.
“Dr. Barthell’s election to a leadership position on the Council on Undergraduate Research board of directors is a tremendous honor for both him and the University of Central Oklahoma,” said UCO President Todd G. Lamb.
“His lifelong commitment to advancing undergraduate research has created transformative opportunities for our students and the greater Broncho community. This board position, along with his continued leadership and collaboration, will elevate and escalate UCO’s pursuit of achieving Research 2 designation by 2032.”
Starting his career at UCO in 1995, as an assistant professor in the College of Mathematics and Science, Barthell’s leadership abilities led him to serve in several key administrative positions, including assistant dean of the Jackson College of Graduate Studies, interim associate dean and then dean of the College of Mathematics and Science.
His dedication to advancing undergraduate research, including at the national level, culminated in his appointment as UCO’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, a position he held for more than six years.
In January 2020, Barthell accepted a rotating program director role at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia, through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Program. This prestigious assignment closely aligned with his passion for advancing science and marked the first time a faculty member from a regional institution in Oklahoma participated in the program. Throughout his tenure at the NSF, Barthell remained actively involved with UCO, returning to campus in 2024 to serve as chief research officer, reinforcing his commitment to advancing the university's mission.
Barthell’s ongoing commitment to undergraduate research is further demonstrated by his research on bees, investigating plant-pollinator interactions, pollinator learning and responses to climate change. He was recently awarded a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop an early warning system using bee hives to detect harmful bacterial and fungal pathogens before they spread widely through crops, livestock and surrounding ecosystems.
“UCO has been instrumental in supporting faculty members devoted to the involvement of undergraduates in research,” Barthell said.
“I am grateful for the support our students receive, for example, in attending the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, with strong involvement of the faculty, deans, Offices of the Provost and President, and the Office of High-Impact Practices, which organizes these trips annually for our students.”
Barthell will begin the CUR presidential path June 1, 2026.
UCO is dedicated to advancing research as the university works toward achieving Research 2 (R2) designation. UCO already meets the minimum annual research expenditure threshold and was one of only 216 institutions nationwide to receive the 2025 Research College and University designation. With continued investment in research and its two doctoral programs, the university is well-positioned to achieve R2 status.
For more information about Central, visit www.uco.edu.
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Cutline: John Barthell, Ph.D., pictured, chief research officer at the University of Central Oklahoma, has been elected to serve on the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) board of directors as an officer in the presidential path. Barthell will serve a three-year term on a stepped rotation that includes the roles of president-elect (2026-27), president (2027-28) and immediate past president (2028-29).
