Manoj Mohanan Named Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Programs

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The following is a summary of a story originally on the Office of the Provost website. 

Manoj Mohanan has been appointed vice provost for interdisciplinary programs, effective July 1, Provost Alec D. Gallimore announced Wednesday. 

Mohanan is the Creed C. Black Professor of Public Policy and has served as interim dean of the Sanford School of Public Policy since 2024. He also holds faculty appointments in economics and global health. 

Mohanan joined the Sanford faculty in 2011 and previously served as senior associate dean for faculty and research. As interim dean, Mohanan led Sanford to implement faculty governance reforms, navigate the university’s strategic realignment and cost reduction process, and secure robust fundraising, including Sanford’s highest ever Annual Fund total last year.  

“I am honored and deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as Duke's next vice provost for interdisciplinary programs,” Mohanan said. “I am excited to work with colleagues across our schools, institutes, centers, and initiatives to steward and extend interdisciplinary approaches to research, teaching, and public engagement.” 

An applied microeconomist, Mohanan focuses on health and health care in developing countries, with many of his current projects based in India. He holds a medical degree from the University of Mumbai in India, a master’s degree in public health from the T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard, and a Ph.D. from Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. 

Mohanan will succeed Ed Balleisen, who has served in the role since 2015. Balleisen was recently named provost and executive vice president of academic affairs of the George Washington University.

Mohanan’s appointment follows an internal search by a committee chaired by Lisa Gennetian, Pritzker Professor at the Sanford School of Public Policy. 

As vice provost for interdisciplinary programs, Mohanan will report to the provost and be responsible for advancing interdisciplinary research, teaching, and external engagement, specifically supporting work that crosses the traditional boundaries of schools and units. 

For more information, see the full story on the Office of the Provost website.