The University of Maine System on Wednesday strengthened its commitment to research via a request for expanded roles for University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and others. Under the plan, Ferrini-Mundy will take on an additional leadership appointment as the UMaine System Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation. She has been asked to take on the extra title by UMaine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy. Wednesday's announcement underscores that the appointment formalizes the work the UMaine president will be leading, to make the school's research infrastructure accessible to and supportive of all universities in the system and faculty. Ferrini-Mundy was formerly chief operating officer at the National Science Foundation.