Sumit Dhar

Sumit Dhar is interim vice president for research at Northwestern University and the Hugh Knowles Professor in Hearing Sciences. He leads a research enterprise focused on advancing discoveries that benefit society—an effort supported by approximately $1 billion in annual sponsored funding and a robust portfolio of infrastructure, services, and compliance functions serving investigators across the University.

Working with senior leadership, Dhar directs core research operations spanning animal care, research safety, research IT, sponsored research and shared facilities, as well as about two dozen interdisciplinary University-wide research institutions and centers. His office partners closely with Northwestern’s schools and units to advance a high-performing, compliant and innovative research ecosystem.

A scholar of hearing science, Dhar’s research focuses on the physiology and biophysics of the inner ear, particularly sounds generated within the ear known as otoacoustic emissions, as well as on improving hearing healthcare delivery.

Dhar, who also serves as the Associate Provost for Faculty, joined the faculty of the Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern in 2004. Prior to joining the Office of the Provost, he served as Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and as Associate Dean for Research in the School of Communication.

Dhar earned his BSc from the University of Mumbai, India, his MS from Utah State University, and his PhD in Hearing Science with a concentration in Neuroscience from Purdue University.

Office of the Vice President for Research
Northwestern University
(847) 491-3485

Executive Assistant: Devin Trezise
vp-research@northwestern.edu