Staff

Burns Named Research Integrity Compliance Officer

Jane Burns, a University of Tennessee alumna, has been named research integrity compliance director for the Office of Research and Engagement, effective March 1, 2021.

As part of the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), this position is responsible for investigating allegations of research misconduct at the university. Burns will also provide research integrity training and raise awareness on campus of the institutional plan for the responsible conduct of research. Continue reading →

Seed Funding Helps Researchers Win $2.5M NIH Award

Candida albicans yeast cells. A. A yeast exposed with beta-glucan shows strong fluorescent signal. B. Normal yeast cells with masked beta-glucan show little fluorescence.

It lives naturally inside some of us, but under the right circumstances it can grow out of control and cause systemic fungal infections. Systemic infections can be life-threatening with up to a 40 percent mortality rate, especially among immune-compromised individuals.

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Strategic Research Initiatives Team Seeking Three Faculty Fellows

The Strategic Research Initiatives (SRI) team in the Office of Research and Engagement is hiring three Faculty Fellows for a 1-year appointment beginning in late summer or early fall of 2020.

Fellows will conduct activities or projects that help SRI identify and promote UT strategic research capabilities and help articulate them to external audience. Fellows are also responsible for seeking out and responding to emerging research opportunities in federal mission agencies, and helping to mobilize multidisciplinary teams to pursue these opportunities. Continue reading →

David Smelser Elected to NCURA Executive Committee

David Smelser, assistant director of sponsored programs in UT’s Office of Research and Engagement, has been elected to the board for Region III of the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA). In this role, Smelser will inform the region membership of pertinent information from the National Organization, and serve on the Region III Executive Committee in an advisory capacity.

NCURA, founded in 1959, is a non-profit professional society dedicated to advancing the profession of research administration through education and professional development programs, the sharing of knowledge and experiences, and the fostering of a diverse, collegial, and respected global community. With over 7,500 members from over 1,100 colleges, universities, teaching hospitals, and research institutes in 40 countries, NCURA is actively involved in furthering communication and understanding between research administrators both within and outside the United States. NCURA’s purpose is to serve all members by advancing expertise in the profession of research administration.

NORDP Welcomes New President, Kimberly Eck

Headshot of UT's Kimberly Eck, assistant vice chancellor for research development Kimberly Eck, assistant vice chancellor for research development in UT’s Office of Research and Engagement, has been named president of the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP).

With approximately 1,000 members, NORDP is a professional organization dedicated solely to research development (RD). The discipline encompasses a set of strategic, catalytic, and capacity-building activities that advance research, especially in higher education. RD professionals help researchers become successful advocates for their research and institutions create programs that spur discovery.