Richard J. Karalus, a microbiologist with extensive experience managing scientific laboratories, has been named director of research compliance.

His appointment was announced today by Venu Govindaraju, interim vice president for research and economic development.

Karalus most recently worked as the building-facilities manager at UB’s Clinical and Translational Research Center.

“As one of the nation’s premier public research universities, UB is committed to unyielding safety standards and rigorous monitoring at its many and varied research laboratories,” Govindaraju said. “The combination of Richard’s experience, education and background makes him the ideal person to lead this very important endeavor.”

Karalus will lead UB’s Office of Research Compliance, which is located at the CTRC.

The office and its staff provide university-wide management and administration of all aspects of compliance policies as they relate to UB’s research activities. It has oversight of the following policies and programs: research subjects’ protection (human subjects and animal subjects); financial conflicts of interest; responsible conduct of research, intellectual and creative activity; and export controls.

The university has more than 1,400 active research projects. Karalus will ensure research compliance committee transparency for all projects with an emphasis on inter-committee communication.

He also will serve as the primary liaison with federal, state and other regulatory agencies, and work collaboratively with UB’s Environment, Health and Safety department.

In his previous job at the CTRC, Karalus managed all aspects of the research facility, including, but not limited to, supporting researchers, instituting safety programs, purchasing and setting up new equipment and services, and coordinating lab maintenance.

Prior to that, he worked 12 years as director of microbiology at CUBRC, the Cheektowaga-based research and development firm. He set up and operated biodefense research laboratories, which require strict adherence to federal safety standards.

Karalus is co-author of 11 peer-reviewed research paper, 13 technical reports and numerous abstracts. He holds one patent and has been invited to speak at many industry and academic conferences.

He is a member of the National Defense Industrial Association and is a subject matter expert for the Department of Defense’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Defense Information Analysis Center.

He received his doctorate in microbiology, as well as a master of science in microbiology, from UB and a bachelor of science in biotechnology from the Rochester Institute of Technology.