New Associate Vice President for Research Named

Patricia R. DeLucia has been appointed associate vice president for research for faculty affairs. The appointment was announced today (Nov. 14) by Robert V. Duncan, Texas Tech University vice president for research.

DeLucia joined the Office of the Vice President for Research in April as a faculty fellow responsible for faculty award nominations and recognition opportunities.

“Dr. DeLucia has done an excellent job in our office,” Duncan said. “As a faculty member, she understands the needs of her colleagues. She will be a great addition to the administrative team in the Office of the Vice President for Research, and I look forward to our continuing work together.”

In her new role, DeLucia will continue to focus on faculty awards and research development opportunities. She also will continue her teaching and research activities in the Department of Psychological Sciences, where she is a professor.

“It has been extremely rewarding to work with VPR Rob Duncan and his exceptional administrative team in the Office of the Vice President for Research and to support our outstanding faculty,” DeLucia said. “I am honored and humbled to be selected as a member of this team. I look forward to helping our faculty excel in research and become recognized for their achievements.”

DeLucia joined Texas Tech in 1991. She coordinates the Human Factors Psychology Program and is an adjunct professor in the School of Nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Prior to her appointment at Texas Tech, DeLucia received her doctorate from Columbia University and completed a National Research Council postdoctoral fellowship at Wright Patterson Air Force base. She is a fellow of the American Psychological Association, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and the Psychonomic Society. DeLucia's research program focuses on theoretical issues in the visual perception of depth and collision, and human factors issues pertaining to driving and health care. In 2012, she received the Texas Tech Barnie E. Rushing, Jr. Faculty Distinguished Research Award. She serves as the editor-in-chief of the journal “Human Factors.”