UB reorganizes research infrastructure

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo is reorganizing its Office of Research and Economic Development into two units — R&D and economic development — to provide more targeted support for university researchers and the regional community.

“Innovative research is at the core of who we are as an institution,” said Venu Govindaraju, vice president for research and economic development. “A strong research program informs our education and our inventions, and it propels our region’s growing knowledge economy. Our reorganization should better meet the needs of all involved.”

All units and staff that support UB’s sponsored research, training and other activities will be organized under the R&D unit. These support units will work together to better assist faculty in finding new funding opportunities or in seeking pilot funding to seed new research. They also will help faculty in writing stronger, more competitive grant applications, using best practices for the management and oversight of their sponsored awards, and transferring of intellectual property to realize the benefits of UB’s research and innovation.

As part of the R&D unit reorganization, the university plans to create a “Research Support Hub” at The UB Commons on the North Campus, and co-locate the following offices in the hub: Office of Research Advancement, Sponsored Projects Services, STOR/Technology Transfer, Information Systems, and Social and Behavioral Research Support. The hub will allow for better synergies between research support staff while providing faculty with “one-stop shopping” for their sponsored-award activities.

All business-engagement activities within the following units will be organized under the leadership of Christina Orsi, associate vice president for economic development. These include:

• UB’s START-UP NY program.
• UB incubators (Baird Incubator, Biomedical Incubator at UB’s Clinical and Translational Research Center, and the NYSERDA Virtual Energy Incubator.
• Western New York Incubator Network (the former Western New York Innovation Hot Spot).
• UB’s New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences.
• UB’s New York State Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics.
• UB’s Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology (UB CAT).

Unifying these activities and programs will provide deeper and more integrated university engagement and support in the regional business community, while also improving the research/technology transfer process for UB faculty.

“Universities play a critical role in supporting development of the innovation economy in their communities,” Orsi said. “At UB, we have world-class faculty, unique facilities, specialized equipment and well-trained students who support the development of a thriving, regional innovation ecosystem for the benefit of all citizens.”

Under the new structure, UB’s Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR) will focus on UB faculty and student innovation. This office will offer consulting services, assistance with intellectual property protection and licensing, and increased opportunities for industry-sponsored faculty research.

This new structure will integrate sponsored-research support services for faculty and students, while also facilitating industry engagement and increasing public awareness of university resources available for businesses. It will expand UB’s regional impact by providing even better programs and support for the faculty research and technology that is changing the world.