O'Neil was formerly vice president of research at the University of Arizona, also a land-grant university. There he successfully led research administration, research development, and secure research operations for the university, which ranks in the top 20 for research and development expenditures.
Prior to joining the University of Arizona in 2019, O’Neil spent more than 15 years in various leadership roles in the National Security Directorate Oak Ridge National Laboratory. An exceptional contributor to national security, he actively advises and consults with the U.S. Government on critical and sensitive matters.
Before Oak Ridge, O’Neil spent seven years in research leadership at Virginia Tech, leading federal agency relations, research development, and corporate and foundation relations while also serving on the Vice Provost’s Council.
“Dr. O’Neil is a proven leader and lifelong advocate for educational advancement and economic development resulting from discovery and innovation, as well as for impactful and socially aware STEM organizations and people,” Cantwell wrote. “He brings to the USU ecosystem deep experience working with exceptional R1 land-grant research universities and members of the Association of American Universities, and he actively contributes to thought leadership.”
O’Neil completed his Ph.D. in education research at Virginia Tech in 1992 after earning a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and public affairs at Cornell University in 1990. He has received various meritorious awards for excellence in research, university and laboratory operations during his career.