TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Peter J. Mohler as the new president of the University of Alabama on Monday.
Mohler is transitioning from his role at Ohio State University, where he held the position of executive vice president for research, innovation, and knowledge, in addition to being the chief scientific officer at the Wexner Medical Center. In 2023, he also served as acting president at Ohio State.
He is set to take over the presidency at the University of Alabama on July 21, becoming the institution’s 30th president. Mohler’s leadership will follow that of President Stuart R. Bell, who announced his retirement earlier this year in January.
Sid J. Trant, UA System Chancellor, expressed confidence in Mohler’s capabilities, remarking, “Dr. Mohler is uniquely equipped to build upon The University of Alabama’s solid foundation and lead this institution into an even brighter future. He is a strong advocate for the transformative power of public higher education, advancing teaching, research, and service.” Mohler is recognized for his bold, student-focused, and visionary leadership, aligning with the university’s flagship mission.
Since joining Ohio State in 2011, Mohler served as the director of the Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, chaired the department of physiology and cell biology, acted as vice dean of research in the College of Medicine, and held the vice president for research position at the university.
His academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in biology from Wake Forest University and a doctorate in cell and molecular physiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before his tenure at Ohio State, Mohler was part of the faculties at both Vanderbilt University and the University of Iowa.