ORI Newsletter · Spring 2025

In this issue:

An introduction from Aleister J. Saunders, Executive Vice Provost for Research & Innovation: Punctuated Evolution of Federal Support of the U.S. Research Enterprise

Introduction from Aleister J. Saunders, Executive Vice Provost for Research & Innovation

Punctuated Evolution of Federal Support of the U.S. Research Enterprise

Over the past four very eventful months I have been trying to put into context the rapid and unprecedented changes occurring in the federal government regarding its support of research. I find myself referring to a theory of evolution called punctuated equilibrium. This theory posits that evolutionary development is marked by isolated episodes of rapid change between long periods of little or no change. There is ample evidence that the relationship between the U.S. federal government and U.S. research universities is undergoing a rapid and unprecedented change. Some examples include: the proposal to radically redefine the financial model between the federal funding agencies and research institutions by moving to a 15% cap on indirect costs, the proposed elimination of some federal funding agencies (e.g. USAID, IMLS, NINR), foreign scholars and institutions, and proposed FY26 budgets for NIH and NSF reveal ~40% and ~55% decreases. The budget also proposes to consolidate the NIH’s 27 institutes into five. It is unclear to what extent these budget proposals will become reality. Will these changes within the federal government lead to significant changes in US research institutions? At this time, it seems certain that the nation’s research enterprise will never be the same. But it is unclear what the final state will be.

What is certain is that U.S. research universities have experienced early terminations of active federal awards and a substantial decrease in the number of federal new awards and non-competitive renewals. In the past 10 years Drexel has received one or two early terminations of active federal awards in total, over the past three months, we have received a few dozen with more arriving weekly. Early terminations require the principal investigator, research team, and administrative support team to rapidly react to the requirement to stop spending while ensuring that human and/or animal subjects, if any, are protected. To ensure we comply with federal guidelines we have developed an internal process for terminated awards as well as for filing appeals to these early terminations. Drexel, like all other research universities, has experienced a significant decrease in the number of new and continuing awards. Currently, it is not clear if this decrease is temporary (like what we observe during a government shutdown) or more permanent, representing a new reality. This uncertainty is challenging when faculty, staff and student salaries are covered by these federally sponsored awards. We are working closely with academic and numerous administrative units to navigate through these new realities and uncertainties. These efforts include developing guidance for faculty to document the impact of these changes on their productivity appropriately in their annual review and tenure and promotion dossiers.

The next few months will provide us with insight into the future of federally funded research. The administration’s FY26 federal budget draft indicates substantial decreases for NIH, NSF, etc. Congress has traditionally supported expanding budgets for these agencies, but it is unclear at this time what these budgets will look like. We anticipate that later this summer or fall we will understand the investment that will (or won’t be) made into the nation’s research ecosystem.

What can individual researchers do? (1) Most importantly, despite these real obstacles, please keep pursuing your scholarly activities. These challenges may force you to pivot, reassess, or redefine how and what you focus your scholarly efforts on. But your work is important, it has tremendous value, and we, society, need the insights that your scholarly activities produce. (2) Stay informed. This change is unfolding rapidly, and you should ensure that your efforts are aligned with new guidelines/regulations/initiatives. Visit our website for more information. (3) If you submit grant proposals, submit them early. There are new requirements that take more time for ORI to confirm that we are compliant with at the submission. (4) Read the terms and conditions of all your existing and new awards. Recent new awards from federal agencies include new terms and conditions that researchers must abide by. (5) Stay in contact with your federal program officers. This is a significant time of change within these federal agencies with considerable staff turnover – however, these individuals can provide you with insight to make sure that you are aligned with the changing priorities. (6) Explore alternatives to federal funding opportunities. In response to terminations of federal awards, a number of foundations have stepped up to support impacted researchers, including the Spencer Foundation and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

There is no denying that this is an unprecedented time for U.S. research universities, time will tell if these changes lead to evolutionary changes in U.S. research universities like Drexel. While the challenges are many there will be opportunities as well, even if they are difficult to imagine right now. To thrive in a new reality, we will need to reimagine ourselves while staying true to our values. Recently, a compelling vision for the future of U.S. science and technology was proposed. This Vision for American Science and Technology (VAST) was informed by ideas and reports from organizations such as the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine; the National Science Board; scientific societies; coalitions focused on innovation, energy, education, medical research, and national security; as well as think tanks and advocacy organizations across the political spectrum. These kinds of visions are needed as we navigate through these turbulent times.

We appreciate everything you do to create new knowledge and apply those discoveries to make our planet a better place. This may be a time of rapid change and great uncertainty, but ORI will continue to stay abreast of the situation and communicate the challenges and opportunities to our research community.

Respectfully,

Aleister Saunders

Questions? Please email ori@drexel.edu.

General

Welcoming New ORI Team Members

Please join us in welcoming our new colleague to the following team:

Joining the Research Business Operations & Technology (RBOT) team

Yassine Sellami, Director, Research Systems & Analytics. Yassine joins the Office of Research & Innovation as Director of Research Systems & Analytics, bringing five years of experience supporting Drexel's research enterprise from the Central IT side. With a background in mathematics and global experience spanning the tech and business sectors—including roles at Dell, Apple, and IKEA—he brings a systems-thinking approach shaped by his work across diverse environments. Yassine also holds graduate degrees in strategic technology and innovation and is currently pursuing a doctorate in higher education leadership and administration.

In his new role, Yassine is focused on strengthening partnerships across ORI and campus stakeholders to lead the digital transformation of research systems, enhance analytics, and promote more effective communication around research tools and services. He views this work as a collaborative effort—one that supports ORI’s mission to enable discovery, creativity, and impact through responsive infrastructure and support.

Yassine looks forward to learning from and working with colleagues across the University to help build a research environment that is efficient, data-informed, and adaptable to the evolving needs of researchers and investigators.

Questions? Please email hire_ori_aj@drexel.edu.

Lost Federal Funding? There are Opportunities Available!

Research to Advance Racial and Indigenous Health Equity

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Evidence for Action program is accepting proposals for Rapid Response Research grants to support health equity projects that have lost federal funding. This opportunity aims to sustain timely, community-partnered research addressing systemic inequities that impact racial and Indigenous health outcomes.

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based organizations conducting applied social science research. Priority will be given to early-to-mid-career researchers from underrepresented backgrounds.

Key Dates:

May 28, 2025: Brief proposals due
September 1, 2025: Grant start date

Learn More

Meeting the Moment Together – Rapid Response Bridge Grants

In response to recent NSF research grant cancellations, the Spencer Foundation—alongside the Kapor Foundation, William T. Grant Foundation, and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation—is offering $25,000 rapid response bridge grants to help scholars mitigate the impact of lost funding.

These grants support immediate needs such as data collection, analysis, writing, community partner engagement, or preparing new proposals. Eligible applicants must be working on research at the intersection of STEM and education (e.g., AI, computer science, graduate education, MSIs, or inequality reduction) and have experienced a recent NSF grant termination. Early-career scholars will be prioritized.

Key Dates:

May 30, 2025: Full proposal deadline for cycle 1
June 13, 2025: Full proposal deadline for cycle 2

Learn More

Questions? Please email duresearch@drexel.edu.

Novelution Implementation Project Update

Happy spring! As the weather warms, so does momentum on the Novelution project.

We’re pleased to report that work on the Sponsored Programs module is ahead of schedule. This progress allows us to thoughtfully refine scope while streamlining key workflows to improve efficiency. We’ve completed the discovery phase for critical features and are now engaging partners across IT, HR, and Finance to ensure alignment and integration across systems.

The IRB implementation is also advancing steadily. We’re finalizing integration work and configuring the system based on input from IRB Subject Matter Experts and other partners. Leveraging an agile sprint-based model, the project team is iterating in real time while enabling early access and testing through secured Single Sign-On. We remain on track for a late summer launch.

RS&A and its cross functional partners continue to lead this effort with professionalism and dedication, navigating complexity through cross-functional collaboration. We look forward to sharing more milestones as implementation continues.

Visit the Novelution Hub

Questions? Please email novelution_info@drexel.edu.

Recruit an Undergraduate Research Assistant for Summer 2025!

Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs (UREP) in the Pennoni Honors College has accepted 122 first-year students into the 2025 STAR Scholars Program this summer. The STAR (Students Tackling Advanced Research) Scholars Program is a highly competitive co-curricular opportunity for motivated students to engage in early, faculty-mentored research, scholarship, or creative work during the summer after their freshman year. The program encourages hands-on learning and helps students explore their academic interests through meaningful experiential learning.

These students are seeking faculty mentors to support immersive, full-time research, scholarly, or creative projects during the summer term. STAR Scholars will live on campus, receive a stipend funded by the Pennoni Honors College, and dedicate 350 hours to their research or creative activity during the 10-week program. At the end of the summer, participants will present their work at the STAR Scholars Summer Showcase on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

Faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to connect with students—mentorship offers a meaningful opportunity to advance your research while supporting undergraduate discovery and development.

Learn more about past STAR Scholars projects

Interested in mentoring a STAR Scholar this summer? Post on ForagerOne or email urep@drexel.edu.

Changes to the ERIC Database

On April 24, 2025, the ERIC database saw a significant reduction in its content. Going forward, you should expect to see less research and fewer results in the database.

There is currently no direct replacement for ERIC indexing. However, some of the journals indexed in ERIC are also indexed in other databases, such as Education Source and Teacher Reference Center. See a list of Drexel-subscribed databases that either focus on or include education coverage. Drexel Librarians are happy to consult on search strategies to maximize finding literature related to your topic of interest. Libraries staff are monitoring this situation and will provide updates as they become available.

Learn more about Upcoming Changes to the ERIC Database

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

New EBSCOhost User Interface Coming in June

On June 16, 2025, The Drexel Libraries will migrate to a new EBSCOhost user interface (UI). The new UI includes many new features, including personalized dashboards, new ways to read and share resources and more:

A modern, clean look and feel
Intuitive search limiters and facets
Improved translation features
Enhanced accessibility standards
And more

You can preview the new UI online, but please note that some features may change by June 16. The Libraries will provide more details and tutorials to help with the transition over the coming weeks.

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

Open Access Publishing Agreements Still Available

Publish your research as Open Access for FREE through the Drexel Libraries’ article processing agreements. Publishers include:

Company of Biologists
Institute of Physics
Royal Society of Chemistry
And more

Learn more about OA Publishing Discounts

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

Applied Innovation

Sue Rhoades Appointed Assistant Vice Provost for Applied Innovation

We are pleased to announce that Sue Rhoades has been named Assistant Vice Provost for Applied Innovation! In this expanded role, Sue will lead the Applied Innovation team and continue to direct industry engagement efforts that connect Drexel research with external partners. She is also joining the Office of Research & Innovation’s Leadership Team.

Sue began at Drexel in 2022 as Industry Engagement Manager, bringing more than 20 years of industry experience in marketing, sales, business development and product management. Her private sector leadership included roles as VP Marketing, VP Retail, and Global Compliance Director for a large publicly traded corporation. She has a passion for bringing new products and services to market and building effective private-public partnerships for research and innovation.

As Industry Engagement Manager, Sue led marketing and business development outreach to corporate technology scouts, R&D leaders, and innovation networks, to identify collaboration and licensing opportunities matching company interests and needs with Drexel researchers & IP assets. Earlier in her career, she worked in technology-based economic development and early-stage capital programs in Delaware and Pennsylvania that focused on collaboration among companies, entrepreneurs, institutions of higher education, investors, and government to support advanced manufacturing and technology industries.

Sue holds a bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College and a master’s degree from Princeton University. She has served on a public school board, leads a nonprofit educational foundation, and volunteers for the Princeton Alumni Schools Committee.

Applied Innovation, part of Drexel’s Office of Research & Innovation, works to expand the impact of Drexel research through technology transfer. The team supports the protection and management of intellectual property, negotiates related agreements with external collaborators, and promotes Drexel researchers and innovations to industry partners. Outside of these core functions, it helps Drexel scientist entrepreneurs explore startup opportunities by connecting them with training, funding, and legal resources through partnerships with programs like the Coulter-Drexel Translational Research Partnership, NSF I-Corps, the Close School, the Drexel Entrepreneurial Law Clinic, and regional commercialization networks.

The search for a new director for Intellectual Property and Agreements in Applied Innovation is also underway, and we’re eager to fill this key role. Stay tuned for updates as our search progresses.

Please join us in congratulating Sue! We’re excited to see how her leadership will continue to support Drexel innovators, strengthen collaborative efforts, and expand the impact of Drexel research.

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

Have a Tech to Disclose?

When Drexel innovators find something new and useful has been developed, or unusual research results have been obtained, they can take the first step in moving an innovation forward by disclosing it here for review and guidance from the Applied Innovation team. We are a dedicated partner to help generate impact from Drexel research, offering strategic intellectual property (IP) protection, entrepreneurial advancement resources and industry engagement support to faculty, postdocs, and graduate students.

Among other potential benefits, disclosing an invention (or potential invention) can help researchers get more grants (agencies like NSF and NIH value the extension of existing IP in several programs) and increase opportunities for industry collaboration.

Have a tech to disclose?

If you're not sure if you have an invention, contact us!

Questions? Please email applied_innovation@drexel.edu.

Research Compliance

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Face-to-Face Training Day

Face-to-Face Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training, as required by NIH, was previously provided as Course RCRG 600, as assigned by Graduate Academic Advisors. Based on feedback from Faculty and Students and understanding the other commitments our students have during the year, in 2024, this was moved to a single-day face-to-face course offered as part of Welcome Week. This course is being offered instead of the Winter RCR 600 course provided by the Graduate College. It is required for all individuals as assigned by their school, college or program, as well as all trainees, fellows, participants, and scholars receiving support through any NIH training, career development award (individual or institutional), research education grant, and dissertation research grant. Face-to-face RCR training is also strongly recommended for undergraduate and graduate level students, as well as faculty who plan to conduct research, regardless of the funder, for individuals who have not otherwise completed live RCR training.

Training will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Individuals can register for RCR at the following link: Fall 2025 Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training Registration. As physical space is limited, depending upon registration, we may ask individuals to switch to remote attendance, if they are not a required in-person attendee.

This course does not affect the Drexel University College of Medicine's RCR Course, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems RCR Course, or the RCR-CITI Training Requirements.

Questions? Please email Carissa Miller, Compliance Coordinator, at carissa.miller@drexel.edu or Cassandra Myers, Associate Vice Provost, Research Compliance & Regulatory Affairs, at cassandra.j.myers@drexel.edu.

Drexel University’s HIPAA Zoom to Teams Transition

As previously communicated by IT and ORI, Drexel University will transition meetings and collaborations that require a HIPAA-compliant solution from HIPAA Zoom to Microsoft Teams. This will provide us with additional capabilities, enhanced security, and collaboration capabilities, while ensuring a more streamlined experience as we conduct our work.

Timeline for Transition:

Ongoing projects and meetings, including research requiring HIPAA Zoom, should be migrated to Teams as soon as possible.
We will officially transition from HIPAA Zoom to Microsoft Teams at 6:00 pm on June 17, 2025.
The final day for using HIPAA Zoom will be 5:00 pm on June 17, 2025. Users will not be able to sign in to HIPAA Zoom after 5:00 pm.

Research:

If you currently use HIPAA Zoom for human subject research, please review your IRB protocol, consent, and relevant documents to determine whether a modification of IRB-approved documents is required. Please note in the submission description that this modification is related to the transition from HIPAA Zoom to Teams and whether any study-related procedures also need to be revised, and include any relevant documents (e.g., consent, protocol). To ensure submissions can be reviewed in a timely manner, please limit the modification to the HIPAA Zoom to Teams transition where applicable. If you have questions regarding the HRPP-IRB procedures or submitting an amendment or modification, please contact John Roberts at john.thomas.roberts@drexel.edu or hrpp@drexel.edu.

If your research is underway and you believe a change in communication platform (i.e., from HIPAA Zoom to Teams) will negatively impact your research, participant protection, or data integrity please contact Cassandra Myers at cassandra.j.myers@drexel.edu, and we will establish a transition meeting with relevant ORI offices, IT and other applicable stakeholders to discuss options, troubleshoot, and determine next steps.

Please ensure that you begin familiarizing yourself with Microsoft Teams and plan to migrate your meetings and collaboration efforts accordingly. Zoom (standard Zoom, not requiring HIPAA compliance) will still be available at this time. If you have any questions or need assistance during this process, please contact: vcap@drexel.edu.

Introducing the ORI Compliance Catalog – A Centralized Resource for Our Stakeholders

We are excited to introduce the first version of the ORI Compliance Catalog! This initiative is part of the CLARITY Project, which is designed to enhance transparency within the University by clearly defining ORI processes, roles, and responsibilities. Our long-term goal is to consolidate all ORI forms and documents into a single, easily navigable location that aligns with our vision for a more streamlined and efficient research environment.

In this initial phase, the catalog includes Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Office of Research & Innovation (ORI), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). We are actively working to expand this resource as documents are being transitioned to the new procedures and guideline template to include additional compliance documentation and, ultimately, all ORI materials, as applicable.

Screenshot of new ORI Compliance Table

Questions? Please email Marisa Corbett, Executive Director of Research Quality Assurance, at marisa.jo.corbett@drexel.edu.

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 a 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:

ORI Procedures Updates

ORI-601: Research Quality Assurance Reviews [PDF]

These procedures describe the process by which the Office of Research & Innovation (ORI) conducts research quality assurance (QA) reviews or audits at Drexel University, including routine reviews, directed or for-cause reviews, and reviews requested by a principal investigator.
Effective 3/12/2025
Learn more about the Research Quality Assurance Program.

ORI-621: Good Documentation Practices (ALCOA-C) [PDF]

These guidelines define the requirements and best practices for maintaining documentation in compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and according to the ALCOA-C principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, and Complete), ensuring data integrity, accuracy, and consistency in all documentation related to clinical research activities.
Effective 3/13/2025

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 or Cassandra Myers, Associate Vice Provost of Research Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, at cassandra.j.myers@drexel.edu.

Clinical Research Training Series

The Office of Research & Innovation is offering a Clinical Research Training Series through September 2025, featuring interactive sessions on key topics, including:

Investigator obligations
Root cause analysis and event reporting
Protocol compliance and how to avoid common challenges

There is no cost to participate, but space is limited —register here today!

Who should attend?

This series is designed for all students, staff, and faculty who conduct interventional studies, observational studies, or behavioral and public health research. Whether you're new to clinical research or looking to advance your skills, this series will incorporate the newly released ORI Clinical Research Guidelines and Tools to support best practices.

Upcoming Sessions of the Cohort Series:

May 14, 2025 from 11:00-12:00 pm: Training and Qualification (Virtual)
July 9, 2025 from 11:00-12:00 pm: Protocol Compliance (Virtual)
August 13, 2025 11:00-12:30 pm: Participant Protection, Adverse Events, and Reporting (Virtual)
September (TBD-Week of September 15): Common Audit Findings and Root Cause Analysis (In Person)

Register today to secure your spot!

Series Attendance

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

Executive Order: Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research

On May 5, 2025, an Executive Order (EO) titled "Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research" was issued (along with the Executive Order Fact Sheet) with the intent to strengthen oversight, enhance risk mitigation strategies, and ensure responsible conduct in biological research across all relevant institutions. The EO directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Security Advisor to work with federal agencies to revise or replace existing policies overseeing this research. A new policy is to be delivered within 120 days.

In response to the EO, the NIH released Implementation Update NOT-OD-25-112 on May 7, 2025. The update, also titled “Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research,” communicates three immediate actions to the research community:

NIH will not accept competitive applications for grants and cooperative agreements submitted for due dates after today (5/7) and/or R&D contract proposals submitted to solicitations issued after today for dangerous gain-of-function research, as defined in Section 8 of the Executive Order.
NIH intends to suspend ongoing funding in accordance with guidance developed under Section 3(b) of the Executive Order. All NIH awardees should review ongoing research activities to proactively identify potential dangerous gain-of-function research and identify safe actions to halt such research and to effectively comply with guidance once established.
Until the policy mandated by the EO is in place, research meeting the definition of dangerous gain-of-function research is to be paused.

The update also provides further clarity on impacted research activities. For the purposes of the EO and NIH update, “dangerous gain-of-function research” means scientific research on an infectious agent or toxin with the potential to cause disease by enhancing its pathogenicity or increasing its transmissibility. Covered research activities are those that could result in significant societal consequences and that seek or achieve one or more of the following outcomes:

enhancing the harmful consequences of the agent or toxin;
disrupting beneficial immunological response or the effectiveness of an immunization against the agent or toxin;
conferring to the agent or toxin resistance to clinically or agriculturally useful prophylactic or therapeutic interventions against that agent or toxin or facilitating their ability to evade detection methodologies;
increasing the stability, transmissibility, or the ability to disseminate the agent or toxin;
altering the host range or tropism of the agent or toxin;
enhancing the susceptibility of a human host population to the agent or toxin; or
generating or reconstituting an eradicated or extinct agent or toxin.

We encourage all researchers to assess their research to determine if it falls within this scope. If your current or future research falls within this definition of dangerous gain-of-function research, please notify biosafety@drexel.edu immediately. Consultation is also available if you are uncertain about how this definition applies to your current or planned investigations.

Drexel University’s Office of Research and Innovation is closely monitoring developments regarding the EO and will promptly communicate any additional guidance provided from OSTP and/or NIH.

Questions? Please email biosafety@drexel.edu.

NIH Guidelines Update: Publication of Meeting Minutes and IBC Roster

On March 27, 2025, The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a new memorandum regarding compliance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules requiring increased transparency from Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs). These measures aim to strengthen public transparency and trust in the biosafety oversight process.

What's Required:

Beginning June 1, 2025, institutions conducting NIH-regulated research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules will be required to adhere to the following:

The NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP) will publicly post the rosters of all active IBCs registered with OSP via the IBC-Registration Management System (RMS). These rosters will include all members identified by name and role on the committee. In addition, NIH will be posting the contact information for the IBC Chair, Biological Safety Officer, and IBC Contact.
Institutions are expected to publicly post approved IBC meeting minutes to their institutional website.

Drexel University’s Actions:

The Office of Research and Innovation’s Biosafety Office is responsible for recording meeting minutes at each IBC meeting. Following the approval of meeting minutes at the next IBC meeting, ORI will appropriately redact information and promptly publish the minutes to the Biosafety website. A list of redactable information is currently under review with OGC. This memorandum only applies to recombinant DNA (rDNA) related minutes.

More Information:

For additional information and to view the full memorandum, please visit the NIH Office of Science Policy website: NOT-OD-25-082: Implementation Update: Promoting Maximal Transparency Under the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.

FAQs About IBC Meetings and Minutes - Office of Science Policy

Questions? Please email biosafety@drexel.edu.

Drexel’s Animal Care Program Earns Continued Full AAALAC Accreditation

We are thrilled to announce that AAALAC, International has granted Continued Full Accreditation to the Drexel University Program for Animal Care and Use following the January 2025 meeting of the Council for Accreditation. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to the highest standards of animal care and research integrity.

The triennial site visit took place in October 2024, during which AAALAC International representatives conducted a thorough review. Their visit included tours of animal facilities and research laboratories, meetings with the (IACUC), and an in-depth examination of protocols and documentation.

Drexel’s program has proudly maintained full accreditation for 43 years, with our first site visit occurring in 1982. We were honored to receive multiple commendations, including: the strong upper administrative support for the program; the well written program description; the enthusiasm and engagement of all personnel they interacted with during their visit; the experienced and dedicated ULAR staff; the well, maintained and clean facilities; the cage cards providing justification for single housing on animal cages; the robust animal enrichment program; and the dedicated and engaged IACUC.

Without the teamwork and dedication by everyone involved, we would not have such a successful animal care and use program. I am happy and proud of our continued success, and as we all know– great animal care creates great research!

Rick Huneke
Executive Director, ULAR

Questions? Please email iacuc@drexel.edu.

Dr. Rick Huneke Honored for Contributions to Laboratory Animal Science in Brazil

Dr. Rick Huneke, Executive Director of ULAR and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, was recently recognized for his outstanding contributions to laboratory animal science at the Brazilian Association of Laboratory Animal Science (SBCAL) meeting, held March 2–4 in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Dr. Huneke received an award in honor of his dedication and generosity in promoting the advancement of laboratory animal science in Brazil. In addition to accepting the award, he delivered a lecture titled “Success with Rodent Surgery – Lessons Learned Over 30 Years of Practice” and participated in a panel discussion as a representative of AAALAC International.

Throughout his career, Dr. Huneke has conducted AAALAC site visits and presented at both national and regional laboratory animal science meetings in Brazil. Most recently, he contributed a chapter to the first-ever Portuguese-language book on rodent diseases—further underscoring his long-standing commitment to advancing the field internationally.

Dr. Huneke in Brazil

Questions? Please email iacuc@drexel.edu.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? - How to Stay Up to Date with Research News and Resources

The Drexel Research Community has access to weekly and monthly research resources from Hanover Research. Sign up for:
- Grants Newsletter – Updates on development, training, new resources, and funding calendars
- Industry Insights – Tips, industry guides, best practices, case studies, and more on important topics in higher education
- Virtual Events & Webinars
  - Live or on-demand learning opportunities
  - Topics range from proposal development to agency-specific insights
Drexel is also a member of the Council of Government Relations. Create your own account to stay in the know by receiving regular newsletter updates on the impact of the 2025 Administration Transition Information on research.

Create your account

Questions? Please email Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili, Interim Associate Vice Provost for Research & Innovation, at rose.a.dimaria-ghalili@drexel.edu.

Other Training, Education, and Meeting Opportunities

You're Invited: Drexel FIRST Research Showcase

Join us for a two-day event celebrating the innovative research of the FIRST and Bonus Cohorts from the Dornsife School of Public Health and the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

May 22 & June 5
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Health Sciences Building, Room 4E04

Drexel FIRST (Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation) work was partly supported by U54CA267735, an NIH-funded initiative focused on advancing health disparities research in areas such as aging, chronic disease, and environmental determinants. The program fostered inclusive excellence by supporting a diverse cohort of early career researchers committed to addressing the drivers of health inequities.

Join us for a two-day event celebrating the innovative research of the FIRST and Bonus Cohorts from the Dornsife School of Public Health and the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

Can’t attend in person? Contact Valeria Montero, Project Manager, FIRST Grant, Dornsife School of Public Health, at valeria.jasmin.montero-bowden@drexel.edu for the Zoom link.

What’s Next for Social Science? Find Out on May 29!

Join us on May 29, 2025 from 2-4 pm for "The Future of Social Science Research," a hybrid event co-hosted by SOCRATES (Social Science and Humanities Committee for Interdisciplinary Science), the Office of Research and Innovation, the Center for Science, Technology, and Society and the Center for Public Policy and the Justice Collaborative.

Held at AJDAI, 3020 Market Street, and accessible via Zoom, this event will feature a panel discussion about the future of social science and humanities research from experts in the field here at Drexel. Additionally, attendees will enjoy a showcase of lightening talks from Drexel scholars across disciplines and at different stages of their careers. Break-out sessions will focus on methodology advancements and research capacity building here at Drexel.

Make your voice heard about what we need to do here at Drexel to support social science and humanities research advancement! The event will conclude with closing remarks, feedback collection, and (of course) a happy hour from 4-6 pm. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with experts and peers in the field! All interdisciplinary social science and humanities researchers, including undergrads, graduates, postdocs, early career, research staff and faculty, are welcome.

SSHRC May 29 Event Flyer

Questions? Please email Elizabeth McGhee Hassrick, PhD, Associate Professor, A.J. Drexel Autism Institute and SOCRATES Chair, at elizabeth.mcghee.hassrick@drexel.edu.

Submit Your Abstract by May 30 for the 2025 Urban Health Symposium

The Urban Health Collaborative at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health is thrilled to announce the return of the Urban Health Symposium! Join the event on September 4–5, 2025, for Healthy Cities for the Next Decade: A Call to Action, a dynamic gathering of researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students committed to advancing health and equity in urban settings. The Symposium is free for all Dornsife students.

Abstracts for the poster session are due by May 30, 2025. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your work, exchange ideas, and connect with leaders across disciplines. Submissions on climate change, urban health, health equity, and novel data methods in these fields are welcome.

Learn More

Interested in learning more about the Drexel Urban Health Collaborative? Join the Urban Health Summer Institute on June 23-29, 2025! The program offers short skills and substantive courses for practitioners, researchers, and students of all levels interested in improving health in cities.

Questions? Please email Will Becker, Communications Specialist, Urban Health Collaborative, at will.becker@drexel.edu.

Stay Connected with the Office of Research & Innovation!

Ways to Engage with the ORI

Quarterly Newsletter Archive: Key announcements and updates
Novelution Hub SharePoint: Engage with the COEUS Replacement Project via our new Novelution Hub
ORI Training Library SharePoint: Access training resources and webinar recordings
Email Announcements: View an archive of important ORI updates
Upcoming Events: Explore a comprehensive list of research-related events
LinkedIn: Follow us for the latest news about Drexel research

Questions? Please email Becky Campbell, Senior Business Analyst, at becky.campbell@drexel.edu.

Office of Research & Innovation Newsletter - Spring 2025

In this issue:

General

Applied Innovation

Research Compliance

Sponsored Programs

Did You Know?

Other Training, Education, and Meeting Opportunities

Stay Connected with the Office of Research & Innovation!

Introduction from Aleister J. Saunders, Executive Vice Provost for Research & Innovation

General

Welcoming New ORI Team Members

Lost Federal Funding? There are Opportunities Available!

Novelution Implementation Project Update

Recruit an Undergraduate Research Assistant for Summer 2025!

Changes to the ERIC Database

New EBSCOhost User Interface Coming in June

Open Access Publishing Agreements Still Available

Applied Innovation

Sue Rhoades Appointed Assistant Vice Provost for Applied Innovation

Have a Tech to Disclose?

Research Compliance

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Face-to-Face Training Day

Drexel University’s HIPAA Zoom to Teams Transition

Introducing the ORI Compliance Catalog – A Centralized Resource for Our Stakeholders

ORI Guidance and Procedure Update

Clinical Research Training Series

Executive Order: Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research

NIH Guidelines Update: Publication of Meeting Minutes and IBC Roster

Drexel’s Animal Care Program Earns Continued Full AAALAC Accreditation

Dr. Rick Huneke Honored for Contributions to Laboratory Animal Science in Brazil

Sponsored Programs

Federal Sponsor Updates

Federal Indirect Cost Rates

Federal Award Termination Process

Office of Sponsored Programs 2024-2025 Lunch and Learn Series

Did You Know?

Did You Know? - How to Stay Up to Date with Research News and Resources

Other Training, Education, and Meeting Opportunities

You're Invited: Drexel FIRST Research Showcase

What’s Next for Social Science? Find Out on May 29!

Submit Your Abstract by May 30 for the 2025 Urban Health Symposium

Stay Connected with the Office of Research & Innovation!

Ways to Engage with the ORI

Prefer a PDF version of the ORI Spring 2025 Newsletter?

Watch the Spring 2025 "Newsletter LIVE!" Webinar