Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center chief named University of Alabama president
TUSCALOOSA, AL — June 16, 2025 The University of Alabama will welcome Peter J. Mohler as its 30th president on July 21, following a unanimous vote by the UA System Board of Trustees Monday . Mohler succeeds Stuart R. Bell, who announced his retirement in January after more than a decade at the helm.
Mohler, currently executive vice president for research, innovation, and knowledge at Ohio State University, also serves as chief scientific officer at OSU’s Wexner Medical Center. He briefly held the role of acting president at Ohio State in 2023. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to enhance UA’s academic and research stature.
A native of Grand Junction, Colorado, Mohler earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Wake Forest University and a Ph.D. in cell and molecular physiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has served in faculty positions at Vanderbilt and the University of Iowa before joining Ohio State in 2011.
UA System Chancellor Sid J. Trant lauded the selection, saying Mohler “is uniquely equipped to build upon the University’s strong foundation” through bold and student-centered leadership.
Mohler’s tenure at Ohio State included leadership of the Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute and oversight of hospital research initiatives. His experience aligns with UA’s goals to expand research, innovation, and public higher education impact.
Mohler expressed enthusiasm about joining UA and working closely with faculty, students, and the Tuscaloosa community to “expand our impact and build on the University’s remarkable momentum”. As the fall semester approaches, UA prepares for a new chapter under his direction.