Research!America Names Russ Paulsen as Its New President and CEO

ARLINGTON, Va., April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Research!America, a nonprofit alliance that advocates for science, discovery, and innovation to achieve better health for all, is pleased to announce its selection of Russ Paulsen as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 4. Mary Woolley, the current President and CEO, announced her retirement last year.

"I am thrilled to welcome Russ Paulsen to Research!America as our next President and CEO," said Research!America Board Chair Sudip Parikh, Ph.D. "Russ is a passionate and skillful advocate on behalf of medical research, as well as a proven nonprofit leader," Parikh said. "With Russ at the helm, I know that Research!America will continue its history of successful advocacy for biomedical research."

Paulsen comes to Research!America from UsAgainstAlzheimer's, where he last served as President and COO and founder of the United for Cures coalition of patient groups. Prior to joining UsAgainstAlzheimer's, Paulsen held leadership posts at United Way Worldwide and the American Red Cross.

"It is an honor to be named President and CEO of this essential organization, and I am excited to work with this tremendous board and dedicated staff team," Paulsen said.

"Now, more than ever, medical research needs an advocate. Overwhelming majorities of Americans — from across the political spectrum — support federal investment in research, but it is under threat nonetheless. As the largest coalition of patient groups, research institutions, scientific societies, corporations, and philanthropies, Research!America will be that advocate," Paulsen said.

Paulsen received a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California, Riverside, and a master's degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.

About Research!America

Research!America is a non-profit medical and health research advocacy alliance which advocates for science, discovery, and innovation to achieve better health for all. For over 30 years, Research!America has been commissioning surveys to help understand public support for medical, health, and scientific research, among other state, national, and global issues related to public health and research and innovation. Visit www.researchamerica.org.

SOURCE Research!America