The Office of the Vice President for Statewide Strategic Development (SSRD), established July 1, 2006,  is responsible for strategic leadership in three broad areas:  (1) the University's statewide economic development initiatives, as well as strategies for regional, national, and international development programs; (2) the generation of increased financial return on University assets; and 3) select University-wide interdisciplinary academic initiatives. Muscoplat’s primary emphases within economic development currently include strategic planning for real estate, and commercialization of technology and intellectual property, in conjunction with the Office of the Vice President for Research. 

The focus on statewide strategic resource development supports the University’s strategic positioning goal of being among the top three research universities in the world.

Current priorities include the development of a strategic plan for UMore Park, a 12-square-mile site 25 miles south of the Twin Cities at the suburban-rural interface, near Rosemount, Minnesota.  It is the largest contiguous property in the United States that is owned by a land grant university.  The strategic plan will result in new opportunities that support the fundamental academic mission of the University – research, education and engagement – while also adding value to its neighboring communities and jurisdictions. 

Muscoplat holds a McKnight Presidential Leadership Endowed Chair.   Dr. Muscoplat also holds the positions of Professor of Medicine and Microbiology in the University of Minnesota Medical School and Professor of food, science and nutrition in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resources Sciences.  He served the University as Vice President for Agricultural Policy and Dean of the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences from September 1999 until his new appointment in July 2006.  He has been a leader in promoting the connection between agriculture, food and health.  He organized the national “Foods for Health” conference in 2002 and played a major role in a 2004 National Research Council report on the subject. 

Muscoplat received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Minnesota and further post-doctoral training at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.  Dr. Muscoplat was formerly Vice President, Medical Affairs of MGI PHARMA, Inc., where he was instrumental in bringing several biotechnology and biopharmaceutical products to the market, including the first agricultural biotechnology-developed corn plant and a disease preventing monoclonal antibody for livestock.  Dr. Muscoplat has developed pharmaceuticals for use in oncology and rheumatology patients.  He has served on several national advisory committees including the National Academies-National Research Council’s Board on Agriculture, its Board on Science and Technology for International Development and the Research Advisory Committee of the U. S. State Department and Agency for International Development.

Muscoplat is a consultant and board member for several start up high-technology companies and venture capital funds.