The University of Alabama announced Carl A. Pinkert will replace Joe Benson as vice president for research effective Nov. 1.

Pinkert is currently the vice president for research at Auburn University, where he was originally hired as an associate dean for research and graduate studies for Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Pinkert worked and taught at multiple universities before arriving at Auburn.

He has authored or co-authored more than 135 published articles and received the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Prize in Animal Research in 1997.

Pinkert attended Colorado State University for his bachelor’s degree and received his doctorate from the University, of Georgia.

Benson, who is currently serving as the interim provost for the University, plans to step down in November in order to pursue research projects.

Benson became the vice president for research in 2007 and has since seen the increase of submitted research proposals from 519 in 2007 to 792 in 2012. The amount of funds received in grants and contract awards has also risen by close to $20 million under Benson.

In an email to students and faculty, UA President Judy Bonner expressed her pleasure at Pinkert’s acceptance of the position and also expressed her gratitude for Benson’s work.