Management of financial and administrative operations at UF Scripps Biomedical Research, the Jupiter-based scientific research institute, will be overseen by James Lapple, MBA, CPA, the current vice president for finance at the Rockefeller University in New York.
As the new chief financial officer for UF Scripps, Lapple will provide strategic direction, guidance and oversight for the institute’s important mission of advancing scientific discovery and education for the betterment of human health, said David R. Nelson, M.D., senior vice president for health affairs at the University of Florida and president of UF Health. Lapple joins UF Scripps on June 20.
“James steps into this new CFO role during a transformative period of momentum for the UF Scripps campus,” Nelson said. “Having an executive of his experience and caliber helping to steer the UF Scripps ship during this exciting new era honors the institute’s legacy and ensures it will continue to grow and flourish in partnership with the University of Florida, for the benefit of all.”
In early April, the Florida campus of Scripps Research integrated into the university and its academic health center, UF Health, becoming UF Scripps Biomedical Research. The integration allows two of the nation’s most respected research institutions to join forces in their mission to nurture and advance scientific discoveries to address humanity’s many medical needs.
Lapple comes to the new CFO role with significant experience in the nonprofit research, educational and foundation arenas. Since 2004, he served as vice president for finance and treasurer at the Rockefeller University in New York, where he supported institutional research efforts of 75 independent biomedical research laboratories, with an annual $400 million budget.
“In just under two decades, the scientists of UF Scripps have had an outsized impact on science and medicine, creating breakthrough discoveries in so many areas, from cancer to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and ALS,” Lapple said. “It’s an exciting time to be here, to help this campus prepare for even greater growth and impact as part of the University of Florida.”
In his previous roles, Lapple has overseen research compliance, controller functions, financial strategic planning, treasury operations, institutional budgeting, debt management and support of endowment investment management.
Before joining Rockefeller, Lapple was senior vice president and chief financial officer of the nonprofit Institute of International Education in New York, where he oversaw a $200 million annual budget. He also was the Ford Foundation’s manager of grants administration and operations, and senior accountant for international operations. In that position he traveled extensively throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America and Russia.
Lapple earned his MBA in finance from Fordham University in New York, and his bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, N.Y. He is licensed as a CPA in the state of New York.
“With Lapple helping guide UF Scripps on its trajectory of renewed growth in partnership with the University of Florida, its proud legacy of groundbreaking research and education will continue to grow,” Nelson said. “We’re excited he’s joining us as we launch a new era for biomedical research for Florida.”