Office of Research & Innovation Newsletter

In this issue:

An Introduction from the Novelution Project Team: Leading through Transition, Building for Impact

An Introduction from the Novelution Project Team

Leading through Transition, Building for Impact

Dear Drexel Colleagues,

We are in a transformative moment for higher education and research institutions nationwide. Amid shifting federal priorities, local transitions, and evolving systems, one thing is clear: adaptability and innovation are more essential than ever.

In ORI's Research Systems & Analytics group, we’ve embraced this moment as an opportunity to build something better. Over the past year, we’ve been laying the foundation for a more agile, integrated research infrastructure—centered around the implementation of Novelution, our new, modern research administration platform. This system will replace COEUS and DragonSPOT, streamlining the entire research lifecycle with intuitive workflows, enhanced reporting, and powerful data tools—all designed to better support Drexel researchers to have greater impact.

We’re excited to share that we’ve made significant progress since launching the project last October. Both the Sponsored Programs and IRB modules have successfully moved from discovery into configuration, where we’re tailoring the platform to align with Drexel’s unique processes. The IRB module is on track to launch this fall, with Sponsored Programs following in the new year. Planning is also underway for the Conflict of Interest module, which will kick off shortly after IRB goes live.

As we prepare for these launches, comprehensive testing will be critical to ensure the system performs as expected and meets the needs of our research community. We’ll be inviting you to participate in this process soon—your insights and feedback will be invaluable in shaping a system that truly works for all of us.

Change is coming—and it’s full of promise. With Novelution, we’re not just replacing old systems; we’re building a more transparent, efficient, and researcher-focused environment. We encourage you to stay connected and follow our progress through campus communications, attending the Novelution Implementation Update Webinar on August 26 at 12 PM (see below for registration information), and by visiting the Novelution Hub—your go-to resource for updates, timelines, and opportunities to get involved.

We can’t wait to share what’s ahead.

Warm Regards,

The Novelution Project Team

Questions? Please email novelution_info@drexel.edu.

General

Welcoming New ORI Team Members

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

Joining the Sponsored Programs team

Nicole Heard, Grants Administrator. Nicole Heard originates from Newport News, Virginia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Norfolk State University and a Master of Arts degree in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting from Saint Leo University. She also holds a Doctorate in Christian Business Development from the School of The Great Commission Theological Seminary. Nicole is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice at Saint Leo University.

For the past 19 years, Nicole has garnered comprehensive experience in Government Contracting, Grants Management, Budget Analysis, and Contract Administration. She has established herself as a seasoned professional in the field of sponsored program administration, with expertise extending to all facets of grants and contracts, including negotiation, financial oversight, compliance reporting, and pre/post-award administration for a diverse range of funding agencies.

In her leisure time, Nicole relishes spending quality time with her family and creating new memories.

Tam O’Black, JD, Operational Consultant for Sponsored Programs. Tam has over 20 years of experience in research administration and research compliance in a variety of academic and clinical settings. Her areas of expertise include research contracting, federal grants management, uniform guidance compliance, policy and process development, quality improvement, and risk management, alongside many other skills.

With the support of the leadership team of the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI), Tam will offer operational and strategic direction to guide the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) during the search for a permanent Assistant Vice Provost, Sponsored Programs. Her responsibilities will include supporting the ORI’s research administration transformation efforts outlined in the Drexel University 2030 Strategic Plan. This encompasses process improvements within the OSP, emphasizing enhancements in the broader research administration infrastructure, including contracting, subaward agreements, and overall OSP processes, with the aim of improving consistency, efficiency, and performance. She will also provide guidance and insight in collaboration with key stakeholders towards the implementation of the Novelution project to ensure the successful and timely launch of the Sponsored Programs module.

Wanda Peay, Lead Contract Negotiator. Wanda joined Drexel in May and brings several years of experience in contract negotiation and research administration to the team. Prior to Drexel, Wanda worked at Cigna, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and in the pharmaceutical industry. Wanda has experience negotiating various types of contracts and looks forward to applying that experience at Drexel.

Questions? Please email ori_hr@drexel.edu.

Join the Office of Research & Innovation for a Novelution Implementation Update Webinar

With the IRB Module rollout approaching, we’re entering a key transitional period for the project. While change is underway within the IRB team, the Novelution Project continues to move forward in replacing our legacy system, COEUS, as planned—focused on simplifying submissions, improving transparency, and reducing administrative burden across Drexel’s research community.

As we grow closer to the launch, we invite you to attend a Novelution Implementation Update Webinar to learn more about what to expect (including exciting new features!), project updates, and how you can best prepare for the transition.

Novelution Implementation Update Webinar
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
12-1 PM
Register Here

We appreciate your continued engagement and look forward to sharing more updates in the coming weeks! In the meantime, find additional details and stay up to date in the Novelution Hub.

Questions? Please email novelution_info@drexel.edu.

Reminder: New EBSCO User Interface Now Live

Earlier this summer, the Drexel Libraries migrated to a new and improved EBSCOHost user interface (UI). The new UI includes several new features and upgrades, including a modern design, enhanced search capabilities and personalized dashboards.

If you had an EBSCO account prior to this update, you can continue to use that same login. All bookmarked links and saved searches in your account should have updated automatically during the migration. If you discover a bookmark no longer works, you will find the updated link via the Libraries’ A-Z Database list. If your bookmarks did not migrate over, please email the Libraries librarians@drexel.libanswers.com. Training materials and FAQs are also available via the Libraries’ website.

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

New Metrics Available in Drexel Research Discovery Repository

Both Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus citation metrics are now displayed in Drexel Research Discovery, the University’s research repository. If WoS or Scopus have a citation count for an individual publication*, the number displays in the Metrics section of the Drexel Research Discovery record. These metrics update about once a month.

View a sample record with Wos and Scopus metrics

The metrics section of publication records includes other important publication details, including:

Number of views in Drexel Research Discovery
Altmetrics, including counts of news items, related policy documents, blog posts, X posts (aka tweets), and more

Visit the Libraries’ FAQs and repository guide for more information about taking full advantage of the Drexel Research Discovery repository.

*The system is currently only able to match Scopus records with a DOI. Scopus records without a DOI are not reported in the metrics section of the repository

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

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 through our website 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, and support for industry engagement. Our services are available to faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students.

Disclosing an invention—or even a potential one—can open the door to licensing opportunities and foster new collaborations with industry partners.

Applied Innovation manages a broad portfolio of Drexel technologies, with the goal of transforming research into impactful products and services. We steward the university’s investment across the lifecycle of each innovation to maximize its potential and societal benefit.

Have a tech to disclose?

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

Research Compliance

A Farewell to Cassie Myers, Associate Vice Provost for Research Compliance and Regulatory Affairs

It is with deep appreciation that the Office of Research & Innovation shares Cassie Myers, Associate Vice Provost for Research Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, will be leaving Drexel University. Her last day will be August 8.

Cassie joined Drexel in 2021, initially in a consulting role with the Office of Research & Innovation and has made a profoundly positive impact on our institution. Her steadfast commitment to effective, solutions-oriented compliance—combined with her deep expertise, exceptional project management skills, and collaborative approach—has elevated both the quality of our work and the way we work together.

While it is never easy to say goodbye to a valued colleague, we are incredibly proud of all that Cassie has accomplished during her time here. Please join us in expressing our sincere gratitude for her leadership, dedication, and many contributions that have helped shape our teams and strengthen our organization. Cassie leaves behind a strong foundation and a very strong team, and we wish her every success in her next chapter.

To ensure a smooth transition, Cassie has generously committed to supporting the team during this period, including assisting with key projects and ongoing matters that benefit from her historical insight.

In the coming weeks, we will begin the search for the next leader of Research Compliance and Regulatory Affairs. In the interim, ORI leadership will continue to support Cassie’s team and maintain continuity in day-to-day operations. We will work closely with John Roberts (Executive Director, Human Research Protection), Liz Hann (Director of Animal Welfare), Marisa Corbett (Executive Director, Research Quality Assurance), and Lacee Harris (Executive Director, Research Compliance), along with their teams, on day-to-day operations and the implementation of Novelution modules which will continue on as planned.

Questions? Please email ori@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-005: Research Education and Training [PDF]

These procedures outline the research education and training requirements for Drexel University faculty, staff members, students, and Drexel University Research Agents engaged in research activities under the oversight of the Office of Research & Innovation (ORI) which may include non-employee associates or volunteers.
Effective 06/27/2025

Feedback or Questions? Email Marisa Corbett, Executive Director of Research Quality Assurance, at marisa.jo.corbett@drexel.edu.

HRP/IRB Procedures Updates

The HRP/IRB is in the process of updating our SOPs. Please refer to this memo [PDF] regarding the new procedures.

HRP-010: IRB Drexel Human Research Protections Program [PDF]

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. These procedures describe the Drexel University HRPP.
Effective 07/18/2025

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

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 07/18/2025

IBC Procedure Updates

To follow up on the announcement in ORI's Spring Newsletter, NIH's Promoting Maximal Transparency Under the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules Mandate is now in effect as of June 1, 2025.

Drexel’s Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) has made the following changes to comply:

IBC-001: Drexel University's IBC Charter and Procedures Manual [PDF] has been updated to incorporate the mandate to publicly post rDNA meeting minutes for meetings held after June 1, 2025, and a list of information that will be redacted in accordance with NIH Guidelines and consultation with Drexel's Office of General Council (OGC).
The Biosafety Website has been restructured to streamline navigation, and a Meeting Minutes subpage has been added. rDNA meeting minutes will be posted to this subpage after they have been redacted and approved by the IBC at the following month's meeting.

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.

How Does the NIH Initiative to Prioritize Human-Based Research Affect Research Proposing the Use of Laboratory Animals?

At the recent FDA & NIH Workshop on Reducing Animal Testing in early July, The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that they will no longer fund new research proposals that are solely focused on the testing of animals. NIH has since clarified this statement in a new release published on July 18. “New funding opportunities will be designed more broadly with language that also encourages various approaches be considered. This means researchers may choose any model they deem appropriate – including a combination of approaches – to answer a research question when submitting applications seeking NIH support. This strategy is intended to open the possibilities of which types of models can be submitted in response to funding opportunities, not be restrictive or prescriptive ... To reiterate, NIH will continue to support grants that use laboratory animal models if scientifically appropriate, justifiable, and with appropriate animal welfare oversight. Moreover, if laboratory animals are proposed, scientists must still continue to clearly explain why they are necessary for their research, that the minimal number needed to ensure rigorous and reproducible studies will be used, and why the study cannot be done using another model or approach (see more here).”

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 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.

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!

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:

August 13, 2025 11 AM - 12:30 PM: Participant Protection, Adverse Events, and Reporting (Virtual)
Register here
September 17, 2025, 1 - 3:00 PM: Common Audit Findings and Root Cause Analysis (In Person)
Register here

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

Sponsored Programs

Federal Sponsor Updates

NIH

Supporting Fairness and Originality in NIH Research Applications

NIH recently issued NOT-OD-25-132 which largely focuses on use of artificial intelligence (AI) in proposal preparation and specifically addresses a new policy restricting the quantity of applications each Principal Investigator can submit annually to the NIH. The reasoning behind this new limitation is due to an influx of applications, which may be a result of AI usage; the NIH believes this may allow for an unfair advantage to PIs who leverage these tools. The new guidance states that the “NIH will only accept six new, renewal, resubmission, or revision applications from an individual Principal Investigator/Program Director or Multiple Principal Investigator for all council rounds in a calendar year.” The NIH does not believe this change will impact the majority of PIs.

The notice also reviews appropriate use of AI in proposal submission and notes that applications containing large portions of it will not be considered due to the expectation that proposals consist of fund seeking specifically for original ideas. The NIH mentions risks associated with the usage of AI, such as plagiarism and unsubstantiated citations.

Drexel Researchers Receive New Awards

We’re proud to share that since January 2025, Drexel researchers have secured 141 new awards, totaling $19 million in funding. These awards reflect a diverse range of support, including:

13% from federal sponsors
13% from industry sponsors
35% from private foundations and non-profit organizations

Despite ongoing challenges in the federal funding landscape, this achievement is a powerful testament to the resilience, creativity, and commitment of our research community. It highlights the remarkable ingenuity of Drexel researchers and the meaningful impact they are making across disciplines.

Additionally, eight awards were granted which received over $500,000 in funding! Congratulations to the investigators below on the following projects:

Commercial MXene manufacturing toward technology innovations in the UAE and beyond
Dr. Yury Gogotsi, Materials Engineering
Khalifa University

Drexel University is embarking on a three-year, $5-million multinational collaboration to produce MXene nanomaterials. The project, which is a collaboration with Kalifa University in the United Arab Emirates, the University of Padua in Italy and the Kyiv, Ukraine-based MXene manufacturing company Carbon-Ukraine, seeks to use the promising nanomaterial, first discovered at Drexel, to provide clean drinking water for arid areas of the world threatened by climate change and improve cell labeling and tracking technology for biomedical analysis.

Drexel’s collaboration, dubbed MX-Innovation, is part of a broad initiative, funded by Kalifa’s Research & Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D), to translate two-dimensional materials into commercial innovations in areas that include water treatment, energy, health care, and technology infrastructure, among others.
DARPA-PS-24-15: Experimental Neutrino Detector using KM3Net DOMs
Dr. Naoko Kurahashi Neilson, Department Of Physics
Princeton University

Dr. Naoko Kurahashi Neilson’s recent award funds an experimental particle physics project that detects neutrinos in natural bodies of water. Princeton is the PI, and the Drexel subaward specifically funds acoustic calibration efforts in deep water for the large scale detector.
Efficacy of a multi-level intervention designed to promote adherence to WCRF/AICR dietary guidelines for cancer prevention
Dr. Meghan Butryn, Department Of Psychology
National Institutes of Health

Meghan Butryn, Ph.D., Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, is Principal Investigator of a $2.8 million grant from the National Cancer Institute awarded in May 2025. Butryn will be leading a clinical trial that enrolls 472 adults to test an intervention designed to increase adherence to the dietary recommendations for cancer prevention. The intervention focuses on making changes to the home food environment. Outcomes will include dietary quality, measured in both index participants and household members, and biomarkers of inflammation.
Environmental Justice Data Fund
Dr. Mathy Stanislaus, Environmental Collaboratory
Winward Fund

The Philadelphia Climate Justice Collective (PCJC) - a collective of organization community-based organizations (SEAMAAC, Esperanza, Mantua Civic Association and Overbrook) facilitated by The Environmental Collaboratory, has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Environmental Justice Data Fund (funded by Google) to support underserved communities affected by climate change and environmental injustice. This funding will allow PCJC to develop a Climate and Environmental Accountability Dashboard, which will empower communities to address climate and environmental challenges with a focus on neighborhood-specific needs. The dashboard will collect and display data on environmental indicators, such as air and water quality, pollution levels, and green space availability, along with health indicators like asthma rates and heat-related illnesses. The project will include a comprehensive analysis of the data to identify patterns and inform potential solutions, with input from both Drexel and the community-based organizations. A strategic plan will also be developed for disseminating the dashboard to the community, ensuring that the tool reaches a broad audience and fosters meaningful engagement in addressing local environmental health challenges.
Opt In - Implementation and Evaluation of an Early Intervention Program for Children Waiting to Receive an Autism Diagnosis
Dr. Giacomo Vivanti, A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
National Institutes of Health

Many parents start noticing signs of developmental differences in their children—often by around 13 months—but it can take over a year before they get an official autism diagnosis and can access specialized support.

This project will test a new online program called OPT-In-Early, which gives parents tools and strategies to support their child’s development while they wait for a diagnostic evaluation. The program is self-paced and easy to access from home.

The team is running a randomized controlled trial to see if using OPT-In-Early during this waiting period can help close the gap between when parents first become concerned and when autism-specific support typically begins. If it works, it could help shift the model from “diagnosis first, then intervention” to getting families help when they need it most—right away.
Philadelphia Teacher Residency at Drexel
Dr. Valerie Klein, School of Education
William Penn Foundation

In an ongoing effort to support Philadelphia’s K-12 schools by growing the number of certified teachers, Dr. Valerie Klein, Dr. Sarah Ulrich, and Andrea Dimola will lead Drexel University in expanding its teacher residency program, which helps current and prospective teachers obtain Pennsylvania teaching certifications. Supported by a $600,000 multi-year grant from the William Penn Foundation, Drexel‘s School of Education will train and certify 25 teachers over the next three years using a teacher residency model similar to the one it launched with Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia Charter School in 2020.

Drexel’s residency program began in 2018 as a collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia to fund 20 students working toward a certification in middle school and high school math and science subjects. The program was expanded in 2020 to include a charter school partnership with Boys’ Latin and String Theory charter schools. Since the program’s inception, more than 200 teacher residents have earned their certification and moved on to teaching positions in Philadelphia.
Strengthening Healthcare through Interprofessional Networks and Education (SHINE) Program: Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program
Dr. Rikki Patton, CNHP - Counseling and Family Therapy
Health Resources and Services Administration

An interdisciplinary team from CNHP, led by principal investigator, Rikki Patton, PhD, has received a four-year, $2.4 million grant from Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) to launch the Strengthening Healthcare through Interprofessional Networks and Education (SHINE) Program.

The SHINE program is a training initiative designed to strengthen the behavioral health workforce in the Philadelphia region through interprofessional collaboration and advanced training in youth suicide prevention and crisis management. It brings together marriage and family therapy (MFT), psychiatric nursing (NP) and occupational therapy (OT) to collaboratively address the pressing mental health needs of youth experiencing trauma, behavioral health challenges or risk of suicide. The team will train 48 master’s-level students across MFT, NP and OT programs, incorporating simulation and virtual reality with the goal of enhancing trainees’ knowledge, skills and confidence in providing suicide prevention and crisis response services to youth.
Tele-Exercise to Promote Empowered Movement in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury, TEEMS
Dr. Margaret Finley, CNHP - Physical Therapy
U.S. Department of Defense

Margaret Finley, PT, PhD and Laura Baehr, PT, DPT, PhD, from the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences in the College of Nursing and Health Professions, received a $3.2 million Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Research Program Clinical Trial Award by the Department of Defense. Funded through a partnering principal investigator mechanism, this award supports collaborative leadership by a senior (Finley: $2 million) and early-career investigator (Baehr: $1.2 million), each managing independent budgets and research teams.

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of Tele-Exercise to promote Empowered Movement in individuals with SCI (TEEMS), an online group exercise program, compared to a self-guided video library to improve physical activity, exercise beliefs, quality of life, pain, sleep, and wellbeing.

Seeking funding?

There are several resources available to help you find available grants:

Let’s keep the momentum going!

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

2025 CURE Grant Application Now Available

The 2025 CURE Grant application is now available in the Limited Submissions and Intramural Funding Portal!

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued a new Request for Applications (RFA) under the Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement (CURE) Grant Program. This program supports health research initiatives across Pennsylvania, funded by the state's tobacco settlement funds. The CURE grant is designed to award grants for biomedical, clinical, and health services research. The goal of the program is the invest in uncovering new approaches to treatment and prevention. CURE has been a highly successful initiative, driving numerous medical advances and scientific breakthroughs across Pennsylvania. To date, the program has generated more than $2 billion in economic impact, created over 10,000 jobs, and produced nearly $90 million in tax revenue, cementing the state’s reputation as a leader in biomedical innovation and life sciences.

Guidelines

Proposals should foster transdisciplinary research among faculty members and emphasize collaborations across departments and academic units (i.e., schools and colleges) at Drexel University.

These funds are used to promote HYPOTHESIS-DRIVEN research projects that will lead to high quality scholarship (i.e., publications), technology commercialization, submissions for extramural support and ultimately awards from the NIH, DOD, NSF, and other governmental agencies and foundations.

The project period for the grant is for up to four years to allow completion of the Specific Aims. The start date is July 1, 2026, and the end date is June 30, 2030. The maximum budget allowed for direct costs is $95,000. Completed CURE applications are due in the Drexel University Funding Portal no later than 5 PM on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Find the full RFA on SharePoint for more information [PDF]

Questions? Please email Noreen Robertson, Senior Associate Vice Dean for Research, College of Medicine, at noreen.m.robertson@drexel.edu.

Grants Calendar Available for Research Infrastructure and Training

Drexel has an institutional subscription to Hanover Research, a strategic partner offering grant support. Their services are designed to help navigate funding opportunities and strengthen proposals. One of the key resources they provided are extensive grants calendars, highlighting upcoming federal grants, their descriptions and deadlines, identified by funder. July’s calendar specifically focuses on Research Infrastructure & Training and is a valuable resource for researchers.

View the July 2025 Grants Calendar for Research Infrastructure & Training on the ORI Informational & Training SharePoint [PDF]

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

EMBRACE Year 3 Funding Announcement

Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, the Establishing Mechanisms of Benefit to Reinforce the Alzheimer’s Care Experience (EMBRACE) AD/ADRD Roybal Center aims to advance research capacity for mechanistic-based home and community-based dementia care interventions.

The program will fund up to two trials testing mechanism-driven, tailored interventions in home- and community-based contexts. Funding is anticipated to begin June 2026. Proposed trials can be 1-2 years, with total costs of up to $200k per year. Select applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Apply for funding

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

Join the Urban Health Symposium this September!

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, and discounts are available for Drexel students and faculty outside of the Dornsife School.

Learn More

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

7th Annual Immune Modulation & Engineering Symposium (IMES): Call for Abstracts

The 7th Annual Immune Modulation & Engineering Symposium (IMES) will be held at the Study Hotel in Philadelphia from December 9-11, 2025. They are currently accepting abstracts from trainees and early career investigators. The symposium will feature cutting-edge research updates from leaders and pioneers in the immune engineering field, providing opportunities for networking to foster collaboration and meet with prospective students & trainees.

Abstracts are due August 15! Abstracts will be considered for poster and oral presentations. Trainees can also complete a short application to be selected for conference awards, which come with cash prizes. There will be a networking and mentoring session for trainees on the first day of the symposium, free for all attendees who wish to participate.

Travel scholarships are available for trainees from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds. These awards will include hotel accommodations and registration fees but will not cover additional travel costs.

Please register early, as space is limited and sells out quickly. Virtual registration is free for all US-based trainees thanks to generous support from the NIH.

Questions? Contact Christopher B. Rodell, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, at christopher.b.rodell@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 - Summer 2025

In this issue:

General

Applied Innovation

Research Compliance

Sponsored Programs

Other Training, Education, and Meeting Opportunities

Stay Connected with the Office of Research & Innovation!

An Introduction from the Novelution Project Team

General

Welcoming New ORI Team Members

Join the Office of Research & Innovation for a Novelution Implementation Update Webinar

Reminder: New EBSCO User Interface Now Live

New Metrics Available in Drexel Research Discovery Repository

Applied Innovation

From Idea to Innovation: Take the First Step

Research Compliance

A Farewell to Cassie Myers, Associate Vice Provost for Research Compliance and Regulatory Affairs

ORI Guidance and Procedure Update

How Does the NIH Initiative to Prioritize Human-Based Research Affect Research Proposing the Use of Laboratory Animals?

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

Clinical Research Training Series:

Sponsored Programs

Federal Sponsor Updates

Drexel Researchers Receive New Awards

2025 CURE Grant Application Now Available

Grants Calendar Available for Research Infrastructure and Training

EMBRACE Year 3 Funding Announcement

Other Training, Education, and Meeting Opportunities

Join the Urban Health Symposium this September!

7th Annual Immune Modulation & Engineering Symposium (IMES): Call for Abstracts

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 Summer 2025 "Newsletter LIVE!" Webinar