About Arthur C. Vailas
Arthur C. Vailas, Ph.D., became the 12th president of Idaho State University on July 1, 2006.
He came to Idaho State University from the University of Houston, where he held the dual role of vice president for research and intellectual-property management, and vice chancellor for research of the University of Houston System. He also held a joint appointment at UH as professor of mechanical engineering, and professor of biology and biochemistry.
Prior to that, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he was professor and chairman of the department of kinesiology, while holding joint appointments in orthopedic surgery and poultry science, and was associate dean of the College of Education. He also maintained a productive research program as director the university’s Biodynamics Laboratory.
His academic career began at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he was promoted from assistant to associate professor. An accomplished researcher, President Vailas is the author of numerous peer-reviewed scientific articles and publications and has held leadership positions on national boards and committees.
He holds a doctorate in connective-tissue physiology from the University of Iowa, where he also completed a three-year National Institutes of Health postdoctoral fellowship, and a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude from the University of New Hampshire.
He is married to Laura I. Vailas, Ph.D. They have a daughter, Alexandra, who was married to Ryan M. Evjen in May.