UNM Rainforest Innovations is pleased to welcome Dr. Steve Goldstein, the 24th president of The University of New Mexico, to its Board of Directors. He succeeds President Garnett S. Stokes, who recently retired after serving eight years.
A nationally recognized physician-scientist, educator, and higher education leader, he brings more than three decades of experience advancing research universities, academic health systems, and student success. Throughout his career, he has focused on expanding opportunity, generating new knowledge, and improving lives through research, education, and innovation.
As vice chancellor for health affairs and a member of the University of California, Irvine’s senior leadership team, Goldstein helped advance university-wide initiatives spanning education, research, healthcare, and community engagement while leading a $5.5 billion academic health enterprise integrating education, research, and patient care.
During his tenure, the College of Health Sciences expanded through the creation of schools of pharmacy and public health, research funding increased by 72%, philanthropic support exceeded $1 billion, and clinical services grew fourfold to serve more than five million patients annually.
He has held senior leadership roles at Yale University, the University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, and Brandeis University, where he served as provost overseeing academic affairs, including undergraduate and graduate education.
Goldstein earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Brandeis University and M.D. and Ph.D. degrees in immunology from Harvard University. A Fellow of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Pediatrics, he has served in national advisory roles for the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation.
His extensive experience leading research-intensive institutions and advancing innovation will undoubtedly provide valuable guidance to the UNMRI Board of Directors. UNM Rainforest Innovations looks forward to working with President Goldstein as the organization continues to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization across the University of New Mexico and beyond.