Neuroscientist Michael Quick, PhD, is USC’s new provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, effective April 1.

As provost, Quick will be the second-ranking officer under USC President C. L. Max Nikias, PhD, and the chief academic officer of the university. The deans of USC’s 19 schools will report to him; he also will oversee the divisions of Student Affairs, Libraries, Research Advancement, Information Technology Services, Student Religious Life, Academic Space Planning, Global Initiatives, Academic Planning and Budget, and the USC Stevens Center for Innovation.

In addition, he will chair the Keck School of Medicine of USC’s Operations Oversight Committee.

“I consider this to be the most significant appointment in my cabinet, as this role is vital to USC’s academic mission and will play a decisive role in the university’s continued ascent,”  Nikias said.

Quick replaces Elizabeth Garrett, JD, who in September 2014 was named Cornell University’s 13th president-elect. Quick, professor of biological sciences in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, was appointed USC’s interim provost on Dec. 1, 2014.

He was recruited to USC in 2002 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham as associate professor of biological sciences, and was subsequently promoted to professor and vice dean for research in USC Dornsife. From there, he was appointed executive vice dean for academic affairs in the College, before rising to executive vice provost, a position he held for four years. In 2014, he was additionally appointed vice president for academic affairs.

“In each of these roles, Professor Quick has proven to be an inspiring and tactical leader, demonstrating tremendous foresight, intellect, and resolve in advancing the university’s initiatives,” Nikias said.