Office of Research & Innovation Newsletter - Autumn 2025

In this issue:

An introduction from Sue Rhoades, Assistant Vice Provost, Applied Innovation

General

• Welcoming New ORI Team Members
• Update on the Novelution Implementation Project
• Display Associated UN Sustainable Development Goals on your Drexel Research Discovery Profile
• Introducing the Drexel Libraries’ New Website

Applied Innovation

• From Idea to Innovation: Take the First Step

Research Compliance & Regulatory Affairs

• ORI Guidance and Procedure Update
• Strengthening Biological Safety in Research at Drexel University
• Significant Financial Interests Just Got Bigger: Foreign Financial Interests Now Included
• Thinking of a Sabbatical Abroad or Working Remotely?
• NSF Now Requires Research Security Training for All Senior Personnel
• Annual Research Conflict of Interest (COI) Disclosure Period: November 1–30
• Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training Day 2025
• Clinical Research Training Series
• Research Quality Assurance Program

Sponsored Programs

• Government Shutdown Update
• NIH Will Stop Posting Notices of Funding Opportunities in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts in FY2026
• Drexel Researchers Receive New Awards

Did You Know?

• When it is Required to Submit a Minors Registration Form

Other Training, Education, and Meeting Opportunities

• Upcoming LabArchives Training – Maximize Your Research Efficiency!

Stay Connected with the Office of Research & Innovation!

• Ways to Engage with the ORI
• The ORI Team Shares an Evening Out!

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An Introduction from Sue Rhoades, Assistant Vice Provost, Applied Innovation

Dear Colleagues,

As autumn leaves fall, the Applied Innovation team is experiencing a season of change as well. I’m excited to serve in a new role as Assistant Vice Provost for Applied Innovation, overseeing our unit’s efforts to support the Drexel research community. I’m also pleased to share that Robin Stears recently joined our team as Director, Intellectual Property (IP) and Agreements. We’re currently working to fill a licensing manager vacancy and deeply appreciate the patience of Drexel researchers reaching out to us with questions on their existing IP or with new innovations as we rebuild our team to serve you.

Within the Office of Research and Innovation, the mission of our group is to expand the impact of Drexel research through technology transfer. A small core team focuses on providing a range of services to researchers and inventors in two main areas - Intellectual Property & Agreements and Industry Engagement. 

We also collaborate with partners in the Drexel and Philadelphia innovation ecosystem to support faculty and graduate students’ entrepreneurial interests and to find investors, entrepreneurs, and industry who may help bring promising Drexel technologies to market. 

Some of these programs and resources include the Coulter-Drexel Translational Research Program, the Laurence A. Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship, the Drexel Entrepreneurial Law Clinic, and Drexel’s participation in the NSF Regional I-Corps program, which is now led by Dr. Caroline Schauer. Within ORI, we also work closely with the Office of Sponsored Programs around intellectual property on grants and contracts and federal invention reporting.

As the University undergoes Academic Transformation, and as part of ORI’s Clarity project, our office is revisiting and redefining our core processes (i) to better support University efforts, (ii) to engage and serve Drexel inventors, (iii) to meet Federal compliance requirements, and (iv) to focus limited resources on meeting our mission of driving impact. For example, while we pursue appropriate levels of intellectual property protection for selected Drexel innovations, our goal is not simply to secure and maintain patents for years and years just for the sake of having a large number of patents. Our goal is to increase the impact of Drexel innovations. To this end, we are actively reviewing the age, stage, and commercial prospects of assets in the Drexel IP portfolio to support ongoing research at Drexel and those technologies with real potential for translation, commercialization, and impact. We will also assess licenses and reporting processes to better cover costs and optimize revenue opportunities. Our team is guided in this work by standard practices for university tech transfer and leveraging AI-driven tools for market assessment, promotion, and industry engagement.

We look forward to continuing to partner with the research community to help protect and promote Drexel research and innovations to drive impact. We’ll keep you updated on new or enhanced processes through our website and future updates in this newsletter.

Please feel free to reach out to me with questions, comments, or ideas.

Warmly,

Sue Rhoades

Questions? Please email Sue Rhoades, Assistant Vice Provost, Applied Innovation, at sue.rhoades@drexel.edu.

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General

Welcoming New ORI Team Members

Please join us in welcoming our new colleagues to the following teams:

Joining the Applied Innovation team

Robin L Stears, PhD MBA, Director of IP and Agreements. Robin is the new Director of IP and Agreements in the Applied Innovation Office. She has a PhD in cellular and developmental biology, an MBA, and a strong background in both industry and academia. During her graduate work she was honored to be a selected participant in the Woods Hole Cell Physiology course. After her PhD work she spent several weeks conducting research in Antarctica as a selected participant of the NSF’s ‘Introduction to Antarctic Biology, International Scientist Training Course’.  After that, she did two post-doctoral fellowships, the first at the University of Hawai’i (to warm up!) and Harvard University, the second at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Her life sciences industry experience covers Pharma (at Sanofi), a California Startup as well as Bio Rad Laboratories and Intel Corporation.

After consulting for startups and pre-startups, the next stage of her career led her back to academia as a Licensing Manager at UC Davis.  Here she worked her way up to Director of Business Development and Licensing. Her prior positions include Senior Director of Business Development and Innovation at Boston Children’s Hospital and a Director of Business Development at UMass Chan Medical School.  Robin is happy to be at Drexel University where she hopes to contribute to the protection and licensing of Drexel’s discoveries and innovations for societal benefit.  

Robin is a native New Yorker and an unabashed animal lover. She enjoys hiking with her spouse, playing with their two dogs, and painting. 

Joining the Research Business Operations & Technology team

Kwesi Owusu-Ansah, Associate Director, Finance & Administration. Kwesi brings experience in financial management, operational strategy, and general administration, with a focus on building efficient processes that support academic and research excellence. He is passionate about streamlining processes and supporting teams to do their best work.
 
As he has just one year in Philly, outside of work he enjoys exploring the city for restaurants, live music, or spending time at home with his rescue pup and lots of houseplants. He is really looking forward to working with everyone and learning more about the great work happening across ORI!

Joining the Sponsored Programs team

Gia Boersema, CRA, MS, Assistant Vice Provost, Sponsored Programs. Gia brings over 18 years of experience in research administration across higher education and nonprofit sectors. A Certified Research Administrator and familiar face at Drexel, she returns after serving as Senior Associate Director in the University of Pennsylvania’s Office of Research Services.

At Penn, Gia oversaw proposal and award management for more than 100 departments, led a team of five, and served as an Authorized Organizational Representative. She implemented tracking systems, streamlined subaward execution, and enhanced training programs to strengthen compliance and efficiency.

In her new role at Drexel, Gia will lead the central administration of grants and contracts within the Office of Sponsored Programs. She will focus on ensuring compliance, supporting faculty and staff, and advancing the implementation of Novelution to improve research operations and foster a culture of excellence across the University.

James Hawkins, Lead Contracts Negotiator. James originates from Bloomington, Indiana. He is married with two children and two dogs. He has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Clearwater Christian College and a Masters in Business Administration from TUI University. He worked for 20 years for the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy as a Contracting Officer. He currently serves I the Air Force Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Sheilah Wiley, Lead Subaward Officer. Sheilah manages the full subaward process from negotiation to closeout. She brings prior experience from Auburn University’s subaward team, where she cultivated her expertise in research administration and compliance. At Drexel, Sheilah is dedicated to building strong partnerships and ensuring the university’s research collaborations run smoothly and compliantly.

Joining the University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) team. 

Dr. Melanie McFadden, Executive Director of Veterinary Services. As Executive Director, Dr. McFadden oversees veterinary clinical operations and supports the University Lab Animal Resources (ULAR) team and regulatory compliance team to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare and scientific quality across Drexel. She obtained her bachelor's degree in animal science from Penn State, followed by a master's in laboratory animal sciences right here at Drexel. She also earned a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Western University of Health Services and completed a Residency/Fellowship at the University of Southern California.  
 
Dr. McFadden brings extensive experience in veterinary clinical care, research support, and leadership. With a proven track record of advancing animal care and fostering collaborative, compliant research environments, she plays a critical role in leading Drexel’s veterinary services team and supporting the University’s mission of excellence in research and animal welfare. 
 
During her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and enjoys going to the beach or being outside!

Shannon Morton, Senior Veterinary Technician. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Shannon earned her degree in Veterinary Technology from the University of Cincinnati and became a Registered Veterinary Technician. Over the course of her career, she has gained extensive experience across multiple areas of veterinary medicine — including private practice, emergency medicine, and histopathology. However, she has found her true passion in laboratory animal research and brings over 15 years of experience in the field.  

Shannon holds a Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) and offers a wealth of experience in research support and animal care. In her new role, she will work closely with Dr. Melanie McFadden to provide veterinary oversight, ensure compliance with research protocols, and uphold the highest standards of animal welfare. 
 
In her free time, Shannon enjoys spending time with her three cats, playing pub trivia with friends, and riding her motorcycle.

Questions? Please email the ORI Human Resources Team at ori_hr@drexel.edu.

Update on the Novelution Implementation Project

The Novelution Project Team is committed to building a modern, integrated, and transparent research administration system that benefits the entire Drexel research community. The team continues to make exciting progress on the IRB and Sponsored Programs modules:

• IRB Module: Configuration and CITI compliance integration is moving forward. Workflow testing will begin after current configuration is completed—and we’ll need your help! Watch for upcoming communications on how to participate in targeted testing exercises.
• Sponsored Programs Module: Development is gaining momentum with improved data collection, enhanced budgeting tools, and stronger integrations taking shape. While we aren’t ready for testing yet, opportunities will be shared after current configuration milestones have been met in the coming months.

A Novelution webinar is being planned and will be delivered the coming weeks to share more details on progress and timelines. Stay tuned for updates via email, the ORI quarterly newsletter, and the  Novelution Hub.

Questions? Please email the Novelution Project Team at novelution_info@drexel.edu.

Display Associated UN Sustainable Development Goals on your Drexel Research Discovery Profile

Do you want to strengthen the connection between your name and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the ones associated with your work? The Drexel Libraries is now offering a new profile option for researchers and Drexel units: display associated UN SDGs on your profile in the Drexel Research Discovery repository. The Libraries will add this feature to your profile upon request. Contact libsystems@drexel.edu for more information. View examples of individual researcher profiles here and here; plus a mock-up of a unit page option.

Questions? Please email Stacy Stanislaw, Director of Communications, Drexel University Libraries, at stacy.v.stanislaw@drexel.edu.

Introducing the Drexel Libraries’ New Website

Earlier this summer, the Drexel Libraries debuted a new, accessible, and more mobile-friendly website. Other highlights include a more modern look and feel; a redesigned home page with a more prominent “search” function; and new and expanded pages for library news, events and exhibitions. Check out the website and share your feedback with the Libraries team!

Questions? Please email Stacy Stanislaw, Director of Communications, Drexel University Libraries, at stacy.v.stanislaw@drexel.edu.

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Applied Innovation

From Idea to Innovation: Take the First Step

When Drexel innovators develop something novel with potential commercial value, the first step toward advancing their innovation is to disclose it for review and guidance from the Applied Innovation team. We serve as a committed partner in translating Drexel research into real-world impact—offering strategic intellectual property (IP) protection for selected technologies, access to entrepreneurial resources through our partners, and support for industry engagement to promote Drexel research and IP assets. Our services are available to faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students and are guided by the University’s IP policy.

Disclosing an invention—or even a potential one — may open the door to licensing opportunities or to new sponsored research or technical collaborations with industry partners. 

If you plan to present your innovation in a paper or at a conference, it’s important to submit the potential invention to our office well ahead of any public disclosure to allow for time for review and discussion with a licensing manager.

Have a tech to disclose?

Download and complete the form from our site to get started. Send your signed disclosure to our licensing team at techdisclosure@drexel.edu and we’ll be in touch to review.

If you're not sure if you have an invention, contact us at applied_innovation@drexel.edu.

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Research Compliance & Regulatory Affairs

ORI Guidance and Procedure Update

As the Office of Research & Innovation (ORI) continues its efforts toward Drexel University’s strategic plan and CLARITY project we are excited to introduce new and updated SOPs and guidelines through ORI’s established workgroup processes that will continue to provide best practices, enhance collaboration, and reinforce our commitment to Drexel University and our Research Community:

COI Procedure Updates

COI-001: Research Conflicts of Interest Policy 

• The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the personal financial interests of Drexel University employees do not compromise their objectivity in a) designing, conducting, or reporting of their research activities; b) protecting the welfare of research participants; or c) developing intellectual property.
• Effective 9/29/2025

IRB/HRP Procedure Updates

HRP-010: Drexel IRB Human Research Protections Program 

• The Drexel University HRPP, in partnership with its research community, is responsible for ensuring the ethical and equitable treatment of all human subjects in research conducted under Drexel University’s auspices.
• Effective 10/15/2025

HRP-430: Self, Family Member, Student, and Employee Experimentation 

• These procedures provide additional steps and considerations for self, family member, and Drexel University student and employee enrollment into a research study, including mitigation of potential conflicts of interest, undue influence or coercion, and to ensure equitable selection to ensure scientific integrity.
• Effective 7/18/2025

HRP-070: Institutional, Investigator, or Sponsor-Initiated Holds 

• An “Institutional-, investigator- or sponsor-initiated hold” refers to a voluntary action by the institution, investigator or sponsor of the study to place some or all research activities associated with that study on hold. These procedures describe the process for submission and review of institutional, investigator or sponsor holds.
• Effective 9/10/2025

HRP-080: IRB Documentation and Records

• Drexel University prepares and maintains adequate documentation of the IRB’s activities. These procedures describe the IRB documentation and records, including meeting minutes, IRB membership and roster, and procedures for accessing records.
• Effective 9/10/2025

THESE PROCEDURES & GUIDELINES, ALONG WITH SUPPORTING MATERIALS AND FORMS ARE AVAILABLE IN ORI’S GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES CATALOG
Feedback or Questions? Please email Marisa Corbett, Executive Director of Research Quality Assurance, at marisa.jo.corbett@drexel.edu.

Strengthening Biological Safety in Research at Drexel University

October is Biosafety and Biosecurity Month, which is a time to reflect on and reinforce our shared commitment to fostering a safe and compliant research environment. As the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is working on initiatives to modernize and strengthen biosafety oversight and improve transparency of research involving recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids, we, too, are working to ensure our biomedical research is being conducted with the highest possible safety.

As part of efforts to achieve this goal, we are launching a campus-wide survey to identify all biosafety agents currently in use across the University’s research laboratories. This initiative is designed to ensure that all applicable research is properly reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and is in alignment with federal [PDF] and institutional [PDF] requirements. Information collected through this survey will also help prepare the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) and the IBC for the implementation of the biosafety module in the Novelution Research Management System, set to be incorporated in the latter half of 2026.

This mandatory survey will be distributed through BioRAFT within the next few weeks. Once the survey is available, an email will be sent with further instructions on how to complete the survey. All researchers will be required to complete the survey by the deadline specified in the instructions once it is released. Your participation is essential to maintaining a safe research environment and ensuring institutional compliance with federal guidelines.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to biosafety.

Feedback or Questions? Email Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) at ehrs@drexel.edu. 

Significant Financial Interests Just Got Bigger: Foreign Financial Interests Now Included

In an ongoing effort to promote transparency and integrity in research and decision-making, the definition of Significant Financial Interest (SFI) has been expanded. The updated criteria now encompass a broader range of financial relationships and ownership interests, including income or equity interests from private entities, intellectual property rights, and reimbursed or sponsored travel related to institutional responsibilities. This change aims to ensure that all potential conflicts of interest are disclosed and appropriately managed, reinforcing public trust in research outcomes and institutional accountability. Investigators are encouraged to review the updated policy and assess whether any new or previously undisclosed interests must now be reported.

IIn addition, disclosures of foreign financial interests are required. It is important to note that disclosure of foreign financial interests differs from disclosure of domestic financial interests. Investigators, including subrecipient Investigators, must disclose all foreign financial interests (which includes income from seminars, lectures, or teaching engagements, income from service on advisory committees or review panels, and reimbursed or sponsored travel) received from any foreign entity, including foreign Institutions of higher education or foreign governments (which includes local, provincial, or equivalent governments of another country) when such income meets the threshold for disclosure (e.g., income in excess of $5,000).

Drexel has updated the disclosure process to include foreign financial interests.

Questions? Please email Lacee Harris, PhD, Executive Director of Research Compliance, at lacee.harris@drexel.edu.

Thinking of a Sabbatical Abroad or Working Remotely?

Drexel faculty have an opportunity to broaden their impact, recharge their scholarship and engage globally through international or remote sabbaticals. Whether you’re exploring research overseas, collaborating with a partner institution abroad, or working remotely while based outside the U.S., be sure to check the relevant policies and required approvals.

For example, Drexel’s global workforce guidelines provide key direction on remote and international work arrangements. They state that any paid or unpaid work performed from outside the U.S. requires departmental initiation and review by Drexel’s Global Work Review Committee.

Also, Drexel’s Key Dates & Forms calendar lists the application timelines for sabbatical leave (e.g., Intent to Apply, Proposal submission) for academic year 2026‑27.

Before you plan an extended period abroad or remote work outside the U.S., remember to:

• Submit the department‑level intent and proposal forms within the published deadlines.
• Coordinate with your college and the Office of Faculty Advancement to ensure your sabbatical plan satisfies Drexel’s policy requirements.
• For remote work from a foreign location, obtain approval per Drexel's Global Work Review protocols  to address tax, insurance, employment law, export controls, and data security risks.
• Register your travel with Drexel.
• Review ORI’s Recommendations for Faculty Engaging in a Remote Sabbatical.

By following these steps, you can ensure your international sabbatical aligns with Drexel’s regulations and maximizes your professional growth.

Questions? Email the ORI Export Control Team at export@drexel.edu.

NSF Now Requires Research Security Training for All Senior Personnel

In alignment with federal mandates to safeguard the integrity of U.S. research, the National Science Foundation (NSF) now requires mandatory research security training for all senior personnel supported by NSF-funded projects. This training must address key topics such as conflict of interest and commitment, foreign influence, data protection, and research integrity.

As of October 10, 2025, Institutions are responsible for implementing and documenting completion of this training as a condition of NSF award compliance. At Drexel, all applicable personnel will be notified of their training obligations and provided access to approved training modules in accordance with NSF guidance.

For more information on who is required to complete the training and how to access it, visit:

• NSF Research Security Requirements
• Drexel’s Research Compliance & Training Resources

Ensure you complete the training in a timely manner to remain eligible for participation on NSF-funded projects. There is both an individual and institutional requirement to certify completion of training;  submit your certification of training here. 

Questions? Please email Lacee Harris, PhD, Executive Director of Research Compliance, at lacee.harris@drexel.edu.

Annual Research Conflict of Interest (COI) Disclosure Period: November 1–30

It’s time for the annual Research Conflict of Interest (COI) disclosure process! All faculty, researchers, and staff engaged in sponsored research must complete their COI disclosure between November 1 and November 30. 

This annual disclosure helps ensure transparency, uphold research integrity, and maintain compliance with federal and institutional requirements. Even if you have no conflicts to disclose, a submission is still required. 

Visit the FAQ page to review guidance on what constitutes a potential conflict of interest. 

Disclosure Period Opens: November 1, 2025 

Deadline: November 30, 2025 

Questions? Email the ORI FCOI Team at FCOI@drexel.edu.

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training Day 2025

We are pleased to share that the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training Day, held on September 18, was a great success, bringing together over 95 researchers, staff, and students from across the institution to strengthen our shared commitment to research integrity.

Highlights from the Day

• Expert Guidance: Facilitators from compliance, IRB, IACUC, and faculty leadership provided insight into navigating regulatory expectations and institutional responsibilities.
• Interactive Sessions: Sessions encouraged active participation while working through real-world scenarios on authorship, data management, and conflicts of interest, applying ethical principles to complex situations. 

Key Takeaways for Researchers

• Integrity First: Responsible research requires honesty, transparency, and accountability in every step of the process.
• Know the Rules: Awareness of federal regulations and institutional policies is critical to protecting research participants, collaborators, and the public trust.
• Data Responsibility: Proper collection, management, sharing, and reproducibility are essential for credibility and compliance.
• Culture of Accountability: Ethical research is a collective effort; collaboration, mentorship, and ongoing training strengthen the institution’s research enterprise.

We thank all participants and presenters for their engagement and contributions. Events like this reflect our shared responsibility to uphold the highest standards of research integrity and ensure our institution continues to lead by example.

Questions? Please email Carissa Miller, Compliance Coordinator, at carissa.miller@drexel.edu.