Krista Walton, a distinguished chemical engineer from Georgia Tech, has been appointed as the vice chancellor for research and innovation at North Carolina State University (NC State). In this new role, Walton will be responsible for overseeing NC State's substantial $517 million research enterprise. Prior to this appointment, she held significant roles at Georgia Tech, including serving as the associate vice president for research operations and infrastructure. Walton's research primarily focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of functional porous materials for various applications, such as carbon dioxide capture and atmospheric water harvesting. Her innovative work has led to the establishment of three spin-off companies. Additionally, Walton has a strong background in leading research centers, notably as the founding director and lead principal investigator for Georgia Tech's Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Frontier Research Center, UNCAGE-ME, which centers on advancing understanding of materials for hydrogen production and carbon dioxide capture. The DOE has recognized the center's impact by renewing its funding twice, totaling $25 million. Walton is set to embark on her new role at NC State on June 30, expressing gratitude to Georgia Tech for the mentorship and growth opportunities she received during her 16-year tenure at the institution.