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Updates from the Office of Research and Economic Development

October 1, 2018

Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to inform you of recent changes that have occurred within the Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED). These changes have occurred with the goal of streamlining workflow and improving customer service across the organization. Deborah Motton has been promoted to the position of Associate Vice Chancellor for Research. AVC Motton will maintain high-level leadership oversight of Research Compliance and Integrity, and she will continue in her role as Campus Privacy Officer. Additionally, Deborah will now have oversight of Sponsored Research Services. In this role, AVC Motton will work with myself and a workgroup composed of staff and faculty, to revise and redesign the campus’s support of the Contracts and Grants processes, both centrally and across the University.

Leslie Teixeira Porto will take on the role of Director of Research Subjects Compliance. In this capacity, she and her staff will continue to provide support to our research community as they engage in the use of animals and human subjects in their research activities. Leslie will also take oversight of the stem cell research program, education and training in research subjects, and serve in the role of faculty liaison for NIH-defined clinical trials.

Anand Gadre has taken on the role of Executive Director of Core Facilities. Anand will work with the technical directors of all core facilities managed by ORED to assure that they have current websites, common business practices and active faculty advisory committees.

Roy Hoglund remains as the Director of the Department of Animal Research Services, but he has also taken on the role of Director of High Containment Facilities for UC Merced. In this role, Roy is leading the effort to establish and operate the BSL-3 laboratory that will be delivered to the campus in the substantial delivery phase of the Merced 2020 Project. Roy will work closely with EHS and UC Merced Biosafety Officer Aparupa Sengupta to achieve the opening and success of this exciting new facility.

Kurtis Clark has been recently hired as the Executive Director of Central California Regional Small Business Development Center network. Kurt joins us with extensive experience in the SBDC and in business development. Later this year, he will move the SBDC regional office from Fresno to Merced’s Venture Lab.

Please join me in congratulating all of the ORED staff in their new roles to help guide ORED to a new structure that will assure UC Merced meets its research mission now and in the future.

Sincerely,

Sam Traina
Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development