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Office of the Vice President for Research

Spring 2023  E- Newsletter


Letter from the Vice President for Research

  Richard Reeder 

Dear Stony Brook researchers,

This week started with the exciting news that Stony Brook has been selected as the anchor institution for the Climate Solutions Center on Governors Island. In addition to the importance of shaping the response to the momentous challenges presented by climate change, this also affords our university a chance to capitalize on a transformational research opportunity. The OVPR is ready to help our research community maximize its impact on future solutions to one of the defining challenges of our time.

Recently, I had the opportunity at an AAU meeting to listen as fellow VPRs shared some of their leading concerns—the ones that “keep us up at night.” The top concern raised by nearly all was the increasing cost of doing research. Beyond the growing costs of supplies, equipment, and personnel that have not been matched by concomitant increases in sponsor budgets, agencies continue to increase their expectations from researchers and institutions. From the research administration side, we see this as unfunded mandates that flow down from federal agencies and require new internal controls or processes for compliance. Investigators see this as additional demands on their time and direct impacts on grant budgets. This trend is troubling and seems to ignore the attention given by federal sponsors, less than a decade ago, to the increasing burdens on PIs and how to reduce them. For example, nearly all proposals are now required to include sections detailing plans for sharing and managing data. NIH has recently expanded these requirements, and, while they allow a PI to budget for some data management expenses, some of these costs will have to be assumed by universities to enable effective data management and security. Many proposals are now requiring plans that describe efforts to support diversity, equity, and inclusion. NSF requires PIs to have a plan for ensuring a safe and inclusive workplace for research projects conducted at offsite and remote locations. Biosketches and current and pending support documents accompanying proposals to federal sponsors are now required to include expanded disclosures of conflicts of commitment and resources received from external institutions. Similar expanded disclosures are required for annual and final reports, and sponsors have significantly increased reporting requirements from the Office of Grants Management. 

Justification can be made for each of these additional requirements, yet collectively they add to increasing burdens on PIs and their university administrative offices. Unfortunately, reversing this trend seems unlikely, and we are focusing on measures that can help investigators understand the new requirements and facilitate compliance. We have been working with the Libraries, DOIT, DI3, SUNY, and the Research Foundation to develop new resources. Recently, my office shared a new policy with the university research community addressing data ownership and retention. This is intended to help PIs and department chairs understand their respective roles in managing research data. In earlier communications, we noted the adoption of the data archiving and sharing platform Dryad. This is managed by the University Libraries, and provides investigators with an additional option for enabling data management. Stony Brook has also adopted ORCID, the widely used unique identifier for researchers, in anticipation that it will become a requirement for proposal submission. Many of you already have an ORCID ID; for those who don’t, I urge you to visit the Library’s ORCID webpage and get one now.

Investigators are increasingly finding recruitment and retention of grad students, postdocs, and technical staff to be a challenge. This is especially concerning when our goal is to significantly expand our research enterprise. The nationwide conversation about fair and equitable stipends for grad students has focused attention on this, with some universities, including Stony Brook, responding with notable increases to establish a new minimum compensation level. In February, President McInnis announced an increase to the minimum 10-month stipend for graduate students (including RPAs) to $26,000, effective October 1, 2023. This equates to $32,191 for a full calendar year stipend. PIs should budget accordingly for new proposals, but also understand that this is the minimum stipend level. PIs should not reduce stipends that previously were, or should be, at higher levels, which are commonly set by the department or graduate program.
We also urge PIs to evaluate annually the salary levels for postdocs and technical staff. Also on the subject of funding graduate education, the NIH is currently considering revising the scoring criteria for NRSA fellowship applications, and has issued a Request for Information (RFI) on Recommendations for Improving NRSA Fellowship Review. I encourage all interested investigators and stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposed changes. 

Foreign influences and the security of US research remain a serious concern for Congress and federal agencies. The National Science Foundation recently released a study they commissioned from the JASON group (Mitre Corporation). Although their report is intended to guide NSF’s research security programs, many of the recommendations are relevant to other funding agencies. The FBI has also restyled their communications regarding potential threats to research from foreign entities following widespread concerns voiced about their China Initiative. Yet, at the recent AAU meeting, FBI representatives were clear in noting that threats from several foreign entities remain. Any questions relating to research security or foreign influences should be addressed to Director of Research Security Susan Gasparo.

I’m very excited to mention that the eight Biomedical Tiger Teams recently finished their final reports and shared their recommendations with the campus community through a series of Town Hall Zoom meetings. These were well attended and sparked broad discussions.  Our OPD team is preparing a high-level summary that we will make available on theTiger Teams webpageAmong the many recommendations were expanded support for proposal development and grant management, increased seed funding, a searchable database for faculty expertise, and support for shared facilities/cores. We used the Town Hall meetings to announce a seed funding program, jointly sponsored by the President, Provost, Executive VP for Health Sciences, and my office, to support teams that commit to preparing a proposal for a mid-large scale funding opportunity within the scope of the Biomedical Tiger Teams. Our expectation is that this initiative, modeled after the earlier Provost’s Venture Fund, will lead to increased funding from NIH.

Finally, I would like to mention that OVPR welcomed Mark Ungania as our new Senior Associate Director for Budget & Finance and Gwen McCrave as our Administrative Assistant . Toni Foster joined the Office of Proposal Development as a new Research Development Coordinator. The Office of Sponsored Programs welcomed Denise Allicino, Margaret Badon, Joann Delucia-Conlon, Josephine Marrali and Phoebe Taitz. Phoebe Daoud and Emi Thompson have joined the Office of Grants Management. Diana Stewart will now serve as the Human Research Protection Program Assistant in the Office of Research Compliance. The Office of Intellectual Property Partners welcomes Mansoor Khan, who recently joined the team as a Senior Licensing Associate.

As always, I like to hear from you. Please contact me with any of your thoughts or concerns.

Regards,

Ri
ch Reeder
Vice President for Research


Table of Contents


Office of Proposal Development (OPD)

Announcements

Spring 2023 OVPR Seed Grant Award Winners

We are pleased to announce that the following projects were selected for funding with an award start date of April 3, 2023.

Seed Grants Award Winners Seed Grant Project Titles
Reconstructing paleo-fisheries and the paleoenvironment of Lake Turkana, Kenya, to understand drivers of ecosystem change and fisheries resilience
  • Olga Aroniadis, Department of Medicine
  • Ramin Parsey, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health and Department of Radiology
  • Christine DeLorenzo, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health and Department of Biomedical Engineering
Pilot feasibility study probing the role of the microbiome as a mechanism of mediating signaling along the gut-brain axis in major depressive disorder
Computational Methods to Minimize Bile-Duct Injuries in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
NeuroTag: GFP-tagging the ER-stress proteome to address bottlenecks in stroke therapeutics discovery
Development and dosimetry of Pb-203/212 host:guest pretargeting
Characterize the ability of H. longicornis to acquire and transmit R. amblyommatis
Upgrading of Simple and Macromolecular Alcohols via Catalytic Alkoxyl Radical β-Scission
  • Sima Mofakham, Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Charles Mikell, Department of Neurosurgery
  • Petar Djuric, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
A Real-Time, Objective Measure of Consciousness
Integrating single-cell and spatial genomics with computational  modeling to elucidate the K17-GATA6 genetic regulatory network in pancreatic cancer
Low Intensity Vibration Mitigates Muscle/Bone/Brain Failure in a Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Advanced Single-Cell Proteomic Study of Kidney Diseases
  • Tzu-Chieh Wei,  C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics and Department of Physics and Astronomy
  • Xianfeng (David) Gu, Department of Computer Science and Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics
Quantum Algorithms for Conformal Geometry with Speedup for Medical Imaging Processing and Other Applications
Development of Nanoscale Metal Oxide Platforms for Theranostics

SUNY Research Seed Grant Program

Congratulations to the Stony Brook University faculty who received SUNY Research Seed Grant awards in the first two rounds of funding!

  • Shipra Agrawal, Department of Medicine
  • Elizabeth Boon, Department of Chemistry
  • Nilanjan Chakraborty, Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • Jiang Chen, Department of Dermatology
  • Marc Halterman, Department of Neurology
  • Sara Hamideh, SoMAS
  • Hyungjin Kim, Department of Pharmacological Sciences
  • Hoi-Chung Leung, Department of Psychology
  • Addolorata Pisconti, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
  • Howard Sirotkin, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior

NSF CAREER Award Winners

Congratulations to the seven faculty who were awarded  Early CAREER awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF) so far!

  • Cyrus E Dreyer, Department of Physics and Astronomy
  • Theodore D Drivas, Department of Mathematics
  • Shubham Jain, Department of Computer Science
  • Xinwei Mao, Department of Civil Engineering
  • Shuai Mu, Department of Computer Science
  • Navid Vafaei-Najafabadi, Department of Physics and Astronomy
  • Shanshan Yao, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Call for Protocenter Applications: Quantum Information Science and Technology

The Office of the Provost and the Office of the Vice President for Research are moving forward with funding “protocenters” as part of a QIST Consortium at SBU. A protocenter represents the planning stage in a QIST research program.

What Does it Fund: A protocenter represents the planning stage in a QIST research program. Based on the success of each protocenter in key domains including the generation of cutting-edge research and external funding, each has the potential to grow into a university-recognized center within the QIST Consortium. A QIST protocenter can span the full range of QIST topics, from fundamental concepts through development and application of basic technology, as well as translational research bridging these domains.

Applicant Requirements: Please note that you may only be PI on one application and Co-PI on one application. Refer to the Principal Investigator (PI) Eligibility Policy  to determine eligibility and whether you need a letter from your Department Chair. 

Award: Protocenter applications can request between $100k-$300k per year for up to 4 years.

Application: Complete Protocenter Applications should be submitted via email as a single PDF file

Deadline:  No later than 5 pm on April 28, 2023.

Questions: Photocenter application question can be sent to OPD_OVPR@stonybrook.edu.

Biomedical Sciences Innovation Fund: Seed Grants for Interdisciplinary Research Teams

The Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Office of the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, and Office of the Vice President for Research invite applications for a seed grant program to fund collaborative efforts between biomedical scientists at SBU seeking to apply to externally funded research and training initiatives.

This seed grant program will award proposals in the following areas of interest:

  • Brain, Behavior, Neurodegenerative and Neuropsychiatric Disorders
  • Cancer
  • Development, Aging, and Life Span
  • Drug Development, from Chemistry to Diagnostics and Therapies
  • Environmental Health, Climate Change and Human Health
  • Immunology and Infectious Diseases
  • Metabolism, Obesity, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disorders
  • Technology, Computation, Biology, Medicine, and Regenerative Medicine

What Does it Fund: The program will fund up to five multidisciplinary teams that commit to submitting proposals for medium/large scale grants (i.e., >$3M for research grants and >$2M for training grants) in the following categories: multi-PI grants, center grants, instrumentation grants, and training grants. Awarded projects will receive up to $100,000 for a maximum award period of two years.

Review the Biomedical Sciences Innovation Fund  Request for Applications for details.

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • All PIs must be current, full-time, tenured or tenure track faculty at Stony Brook University
  • Applicants can only be PI on one application and Co-PI on one application. There is a limit of four Co-PIs on any application.

Application: Complete Biomedical Sciences Innovation Fund Applications should be submitted via the application submission portal.

Deadline:  No later than May 8, 2023 at 11:59 PM EST

Questions: Biomedical Sciences Innovation Fund Applications questions can be sent to OPD_OVPR@stonybrook.edu.

 

Workshops

Upcoming Workshops:

The Early Career Workshop Series for Stony Brook University Researchers

Additional information coming soon. Please visit the OPD website for Early Career Workshop Series or look out for updates via the OPD Weekly Newsletter.

SciENcv: A How-To Workshop

Additional information coming soon. Please visit the OPD website for SciENcv Workshop or look out for updates via the OPD Weekly Newsletter.

Past Workshops:

Department of Defense (DoD) Research Funding Workshop Series: Tips for a Successful Submission

This spring, OPD hosted a 2-part workshop series on submitting proposals to the Department of Defense. The first session, in partnership with Academic Research Funding Strategies, LLC, covered how to pursue research funding from the DoD. In the second session, we heard from a panel of SBU faculty who have successfully applied for DOD grants in the past. 

SBU-BNL Symposium: Opportunities for Partnerships in the Life Sciences

This March, researchers from Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory met for a day of scientific exchange and partnership building.  

NIH Institutional Training Grants (T32) Workshop Series: Tips for a Successful Submission

Early this spring, OPD hosted a workshop series designed to provide tips to faculty members interested in submitting a NIH Training Grant. 

Biomedical Tiger Teams-Town Halls

Early this spring, the Office of the Vice President for Research hosted a series of virtual Town Hall meetings during which members of the Biomedical Tiger Teams shared their findings and discussed strategies to prepare for new federal funding opportunities.

NIMH Biobehavioral Research Awards for Innovative New Scientists (NIMH BRAINS) - Tips for A Successful Submission Workshop

This February, OPD hosted a workshop to provide an overview of the 2023 NIMH BRAINS award, which is intended to support the research and research career advancement of outstanding, exceptionally productive scientists who are in the early, formative stages of their careers and who plan to make a long term career commitment to research in specific mission areas of the NIMH. 

Please visit the OPD SharePoint site for copies of the PowerPoint presentations.

Staff Update

OPD is excited to welcome Toni Foster to the team as a Research Development Coordinator! Toni has been dedicated to adult learning ever since graduating from Stony Brook University in 2012. She used data analysis to improve adult education programming at social justice nonprofits in her hometown of New York City. Years of data-driven teaching motivated her to complete a doctorate of Instructional Leadership with a focus on adult learning at St. John's University. While completing her doctorate, she applied her adult learning knowledge and research experience in quality improvement to support alternative-to-incarceration programs. She published her dissertation and graduated in January 2023.

Newsletter

OPD sends out a weekly newsletter on Fridays. The newsletter includes a list of active limited competitions, noteworthy funding opportunities, upcoming workshops, and other important announcements from OPD. To receive the OPD Weekly Newsletter, please visit the OPD website to join our Google Group.


Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)

NIH Updates

New Resources available on protecting participant privacy when sharing scientific data

 

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) continue to release additional Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy resources for Investigators.  The latest such resource is related to Human Subjects Research.

An important part of sharing scientific data is protecting the privacy of human participants who contributed to the data.

NIH's scientific data sharing site now offers information and resources on the following topics:

For further information on working with human participants in research, please visit NIH's Human Subjects Research page.

The ABC's of AutHentication plans

Are you proposing to use key biological and/or chemical resources like cell lines, specialty chemicals, antibodies, or other biologics in your application? The quality of resources used to conduct research is critical to the ability to reproduce the results, so to address scientific rigor in your NIH application, we ask you to include an authentication plan.  

Not sure where to begin? Learn more about NIH authentication plans:

data management and sharing plan VS. resource sharing plan

As SBU Investigators continue to grapple with the updated NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy, the question regarding the difference between the DMSP and Resource Sharing Plan continues to arise.  We hope that this article recently released by NIH helps to clarify the distinction between the two uploads.

The Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plan and Resource Sharing Plan are separate attachments that may be required for your application. One does not necessarily replace the other.

NIH has a number of sharing policies. The Data Management and Sharing and Genomic Data Sharing Policies have been hot topics of late, but there are also Model Organism Sharing, Research Tool, and other policies that may also apply. See Which NIH Policies Apply to My Research?

Data Management and Sharing Plan

  • Required for all applications submitted to funding opportunities subject to the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy
  • Use new “Other Plan(s)” attachment field on PHS 398 Research Plan or PHS 398 Career Development Supplemental Form
  • Address data management and sharing
  • Address genomic data sharing (GDS) policy expectations when applicable
  • Respond to any NIH Institute and Center or program-specific expectations related to data sharing outlined in the specific funding opportunity

Resource Sharing Plan

  • Not always required
  • Use Resource Sharing Plan Attachment field on PHS 398 Research Plan, PHS 398 Career Development Supplemental Form, or PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form
  • Address other applicable NIH-wide sharing policies (e.g., Model Organism Sharing Policy, Research Tools Policy)
  • For example, if you create a new model organism as part of your research, a Resource Sharing Plan must be submitted.
  • Respond to any NIH Institute and Center or program-specific expectations related to non-data resources (e.g., software sharing) outlined in the specific funding opportunity

Please refer to the application instructions on the NIH How to Apply – Application Guide page and the funding opportunity for additional requirements.

More information on NIH sharing policies can be found on the NIH scientific data sharing site.

NSF Updates

NSF PAPPG 23-1: revised faqs

NSF has issued revised Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On Proposal Preparation and Award Administration Related to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 23-1).

NASA Update

New Proposed conflict of interest and conflict of commitment policy for recipients of nasa financial assistance awards

NASA is taking steps to address undue foreign influence in research and ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. NASA is proposing a new policy that requires financial assistance award recipients to (1) maintain written and enforced policies that require covered individuals to disclose COI and COC to the recipient entity; (2) eliminate or, where appropriate, manage or reduce the disclosed conflict; and (3) disclose to NASA any conflict that cannot be eliminated, managed, or reduced.  Read more about NASA's proposed new COI and COC disclosure policy.

Staff Updates

Since mid December 2022, the Office of Sponsored Programs has welcomed five new talented and enthusiastic staff members.

Denise Allicino joined our team as an Award Establishment Specialist on February 6, 2023. Prior to her role at Stony Brook University, Denise served as a Teacher Assistant for the Port Jefferson and Three Village School Districts, a role that was optimal for a number of years as it allowed her to be present for her children's educational needs. With more time to pursue her desire to engage in administration and to join a bigger organization, and also with her 10+ years of prior experience at Computer Associates, Denise has proven to have the perfect background needed to succeed at Stony Brook University. Denise is very excited and enthusiastic about working in OSP and looks forward to learning all the ins and outs of the department in the months ahead.

Margaret Badon  joined our team as a Grants/Contracts Specialist - Post Award on December 27, 2022. Prior to her role at Stony Brook University, Margaret served as an Executive Manager at a small Biotech company located in Long Island, NY for over 16 1/2 years.  In addition to her many other duties, Margaret held the role of AOR and SO and assisted with both Pre and Post award submissions for the company's STTR/SBIR awards. As a Stony Brook University alumni, Margaret is very excited to join the newly created Post Award team.      

Joann Delucia-Conlon re-joined the OSP team as a Grants/Contracts Specialist - Post Award on December 19, 2022 after a 10 years hiatus. Prior to her return to OSP, Joann served as a Graduate Program Coordinator for Biochemistry and Cell Biology and a Grants Manager for the Cancer Center.  With 20 years of experience, Joann is looking forward to being part of the post award team in OSP. Joann earned her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Dowling College.

Josephine Marrali joined our team as a Contracts/Clinical Trials Officer on April 17, 2023.  She received her law degree from New York Law School and her undergraduate degree from Boston University.  Prior to working in research administration, Josephine practiced trademark law and general commercial litigation. She then joined the Office of Sponsored Programs at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and served as a Subaward Specialist for 7 years. Josephine is excited to be a member of the Stony Brook University team and looking forward to combining her legal background and grants administration experience.

Phoebe Taitz joined our team as a Grants Administrator on February 27, 2023. Prior to her role at Stony Brook University, Phoebe served as an administrative assistant for the Town of Brookhaven in their Parks and Recreation office. She is a cum laude graduate of St. Lawrence University where she earned a Bachelors of Art History. Phoebe also served as an intern for the St. Lawrence County Arts Council where she assisted with NYS funding and application processes, and helped troubleshoot their website to make it more accessible and easy to navigate for their users.

This month, our office bids farewell to a talented team member, Jessica Gretencord-Steiner. For those who have had the pleasure to work with her during her short tenure at Stony Brook University, I am certain that they recognized Jessica's professionalism and great personality that she brought to every situation. Wishing Jessica best of luck in her future endeavors!

Read about Who's Who in OSP in the April 2023 issue of Sponsored Research-News, Updates, Reminders.

Contact information for OSP staff is available on the OSP/OGM website

Newsletter

OSP/OGM sends out a monthly newsletter call Sponsored Research-News, Updates, Reminders, which includes up-to-date announcements, sponsor updates, training opportunities and more. Subscribe through this link to receive this newsletter.

Office of Grants Management (OGM)

OGM Updates

Research Foundation Bank Of america pcard and travel card

Thank you to everyone who has applied for the Research Foundation (RF) Bank of America credit card. The program that launched in the fall of 2022 offers an all-in-one card which can be used as a Procurement-Card (P-Card), Travel Card (T-Card), and Non-Employee Travel Card (NET-Card) to alleviate out-of-pocket expenses.

Stony Brook University employees (both State and RF) can visit the Procurement website for more information and to apply for an RF Credit Card.

When determining if you should apply for an RF card, please consider that the following services are no longer available and can be accomplished using the RF card. 

  • The Research Central Travel Account (previously arranged via Euro Lloyd or Direct Travel) 
  • Travel cash advances (with the exception of cash advances for subject cost and field expenses)
  • Buyer-assisted Amazon purchases through WolfMart. RF Credit Card holders will use the Amazon WolfMart punch-out to purchase directly from Amazon going forward. These purchases will be reconciled through Concur using the Non-Travel policy to resolve credit card transactions.

For questions, please email sbu_travel_expense@stonybrook.edu.

All transactions that are charged to the Bank of America PCard/Travel card are reconciled in Concur. Once card holders submit for approval by the Account Director the workflow routes to OGM for review and approval against the Sponsored Award to ensure that the costs are in keeping with the specific terms and conditions and all related sponsoring agency regulations.  We will continue to review and approve provided the charges are necessary, reasonable and allocated to the Award(s) that benefited from the expense. 

Summer employment guidelines

Research Foundation Summer Salary for Principal Investigators

For research faculty and positions with an academic year obligation, the defined summer period begins May 22, 2023 and ends August 18, 2023. These appointments must be approved by the dean. 

Typical Title(s) Utilized: Principal Investigator; Co-Principal Investigator

How to Hire: Visit Required Documentation for Hiring.

  • Up to 2.5 Months: Campus policy permits, subject to sponsor constraints, the recovery of 2.5 months of full time effort on sponsored projects during the summer (see attached payroll schedule for paperwork submission dates).
  • Between 2.5 to 3 Months: Requests for more than 2.5 months (55 days), not to exceed 3 months of salaried effort for this calendar year, must be fully justified and approved by both the chair and the dean’s office. The requests should (1) identify the specific funding project and award and (2) address the faculty member’s dedication of effort during the prior academic year.

Summer Appointments on Research Foundation Payroll 2023 Guidelines

Staff Updates

Phoebe Doaud has joined the Office of Grants Management and is now responsible for the management of all post award payment transactions and collection of funds on outgoing Sub Awards from sponsored Awards. Her primary focus is to ensure fiscal compliance with our partnering institutions as progress is outlined in payment requests and close out.  Phoebe joins us from Catholic Charities where she was responsible for similar activity. Once fully trained she will be the primary point of contact for these matters.

Emi Thompson has joined the Office of Grants Management as a Non-Sponsored Award Analyst. In this position Emi will be responsible for activity not necessarily funded by an externally sponsored award, rather those Awards that are supported with institutional funding such as Stony Brook Foundation fund transfers, Service and Facility Accounts, OVPR SEED Awards, and the campus Staffing Services Accounts that are managed for SBF, CPMP, SB Care Center and the Dental School. As she assumes responsibility for the daily activities of these Awards she will be available by email 

Newsletter

OSP/OGM sends out a monthly newsletter call Sponsored Research-News, Updates & Reminders, which includes up-to-date announcements, sponsor updates, training opportunities and more. Subscribe through this link to receive this newsletter.


Research Security

Keeping your Disclosure Profile Up-to-Date and Annual Certification     

As a reminder, all Covered Individuals (as defined in the Disclosure of External Interests & Commitments Policy) are required to review, update (as needed) and certify that their Disclosure Profile is up-to-date during the annual filing period.  This year the filing period will begin on May 15 and end on June 14, this slight adjustment is due to a system update that was released in late March.

Covered Individuals must disclose all financial, personal and professional interests, activities and relationships that you or an Immediate Family Member have with any non-University entities that create, or could be perceived to create, a conflict of interest or commitment that:

  • Might be reasonably perceived to be related to your institutional responsibilities; or
  • May otherwise present a conflict of interest or conflict of commitment, or the perception of such a conflict, with your duties to the University.

Accurate and complete Disclosure Profiles are especially important for Researchers.  Disclosure Profiles are used to review for real, or potential, conflict of interest and conflict of commitment issues in externally funded awards.

Covered Individuals will receive an email from myResearch on May 15 with a link and instructions to review, update and certify their Disclosure Profile.

What’s New in Research Security?

NSPM-33 (National Security Presidential Memorandum -33) in simplest terms is intended to strengthen protections of U.S. federally funded research and development against foreign government interference and exploitation (Section 1).  It directs federal agencies to action in areas such as: creation of common disclosure requirements and forms, use of digital persistent identifiers, and requirement for research organizations awarded in excess of $50 million per year in total federal research funding to implement a research security program.  

  • Digital persistent identifiers (DPI): ORCiD IDs are already required by several funding agencies, publishers, data repositories.   Stony Brook University became a member of ORCiD. To learn more about ORCID,  attend ORCID's Workshop for Researchers. The University Libraries will also be hosting workshops to assist researchers with setting up their profiles.  Watch for Library Events!  
  • Research security program: On March 7, 2023 the Subcommittee on Research Security, National Science and Technology Council, Office of Science and Technology Policy released Draft Research Security Program requirementsfor public comments.   Of particular interest to the researchers, there are proposed requirements for foreign travel security, research security training, and baseline safeguarding protocols and procedures for information systems used to store, transmit, and conduct federally funded R&D.    SBU is partaking in a larger SUNY/RF discussion about the draft requirements and comment opportunity.

Visit the Research Security Program website for more information and updates!

Deemed Exports

Reminder, that taking a tangible item outside of the U.S. is just one type of export.   Sharing of non-published and/or non-fundamental research technical information or source code to a non-U.S. person in the U.S. is considered a “deemed export”.   Deemed exports may require a U.S. government authorization (license) or documented license exemption.   

International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): Everything controlled under the ITAR should be reviewed by the Director of Research Security before sharing with a non-U.S. person.

Export Administration Regulations (EAR): Most EAR controlled pieces of equipment, material, software and the providers of such EAR controlled items to the University USUALLY do not release non-published/non-fundamental research technical information or source code.   If you are receiving EAR controlled technology or source code, it should be reviewed by the Director of Research Security before sharing with a non-U.S. person.

Assistance to Foreign Atomic Energy Activities (AFAEA): Everything controlled under the AFAEA should be reviewed by the Director of Research Security before sharing with a non-U.S. person.

Contact the Research Security Program

If you have questions regarding Research Security Program, please contact Susan Gasparo.


Office of Research Compliance (ORC)

Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Updates

not human subject research

Some University activities involve humans (e.g., academic classroom activities, hospital quality assurance/quality improvement [QA/QI] etc.) but that does not mean the activity is human subjects research under the regulations.

The responsibility for initial determination as to whether an activity constitutes human subjects research rests with the investigator.  The investigator should make this determination based on the definitions of “human subject” and “research”.  Since the University will hold them responsible if the determination is not correct, investigators are urged to request confirmation that an activity does not constitute human subjects research from the Office of Research Compliance.  All requests should be made in myResearch IRB and must include sufficient documentation of the activity to support the determination.   

In response to investigator requests through myResearch IRB, determinations that an activity does not constitute human subjects research will be documented using the Human Subjects Research Determination form. For activities determined to constitute human subjects research, the investigator will be notified by the HRPP and instructed to begin with the myResearch IRB application process.

HRPP workshops

The Human Research Protection Program in collaboration with LINCATS has developed monthly workshops. The workshops began in May last year and are held on the third Wednesday at noon. Topics range from using an external IRB to how to submit an amendment in myResearch IRB. The workshops also now give CME credit to participants. To suggest a topic for the monthly Human Subjects Protection Program workshops, please contact Rebecca Dahl.

humanitarian use devices

Humanitarian Use Devices (HUD) are medical devices intended to benefit patients in the treatment or diagnosis of a disease or condition that is manifested in not more than 8,000 individuals in the United States per year. The pathway used for this device is a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE). The HDE is based upon, among other criteria, a determination by the FDA that the Humanitarian Use Device will not expose patients to an unreasonable or significant risk of illness or injury. Also, that the probable benefit from the use of the device outweighs the risk of injury or illness from its use.

The Institutional Review Board at Stony Brook University has determined that patients have the right to know as much information as possible on the HUD device that is being proposed in order to make a fully informed decision about their healthcare.  Therefore, patient consent will be required using the Humanitarian Use Device consent form that is located in the library in myResearch IRB.  

what is Clinicaltrials.gov?

“ClinicalTrials.gov is a web-based resource that provides patients, their family members, health care professionals, researchers and the public with easy access to information on publicly and privately support clinical studies on a wide range of disease and conditions.” If your research meets the requirements for ClinicalTrials.gov, you are responsible for keeping the account up to date. Please contact the Office of Research Compliance at 631-632-6541 for more information.

Responsible Conduct of Research Update

New Responsible conduct of researcH - In-person Training Resources

The Office of Research Compliance has recently completed work on a new website for the Responsible Conduct of Research. Nine modules representing the nine components of the Responsible Conduct of Research have information contained within to assist trainers during in-person training. The modules include some or all of the following: an Overview, Case Examples, Videos, and Role Play. Some or all of the content can be used for the in-person training.

Supplementary material is available below each module and is available for use. The supplementary material is in a format that can be modified for the group being trained. If you have questions about the use of these modules, please contact Rebecca Dahl at 631-632-6541.

IACUC Update

IACUC congruency review

One of the requirements for researchers receiving Public Health Services (PHS), American Heart Association (AHA), or National Science Foundation (NSF) funding to conduct live vertebrate animal research is for an IACUC Congruency Review to occur.

Why is an IACUC Congruency Review needed?

The National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association and the National Science Foundation have very strict requirements for animal research that they fund, and the require verification that all major procedures in the grant have been approved by the IACUC.  It is an institutional responsibility to ensure that the research described in the grant is congruent with any corresponding protocols approved by an IACUC.

How does the IACUC Congruency Review work?

Any vertebrate animal work indicated on an award regardless of the year in which it will occur must have IACUC approval before funds can be released. The vertebrate animal work should be well-described in an approved IACUC, including major procedures and project design.

For example, if a surgical procedure is described in the grant, but not in an approved protocol, the procedure must be added. However, if that procedure states that analgesic A will be used, but the IACUC has approved the use of analgesic B, no changes to the protocol are needed. 

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) requirement

The IBC provides local institutional review and oversight of research utilizing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. The IBC meets monthly and is open to the public. If you are interested in attending an IBC meeting please contact Erin Augello. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday at 11:30 am. You can attend in-person or via Zoom.

Staff Updates

The Office of Research Compliance is excited to announce that Diana Stewart has accepted the position of Human Research Protection Program Assistant. Diana joined Stony Brook University two years ago and has excelled in areas of increased responsibility during that time. Prior to accepting this new position, Diana was an IRB Assistant, specializing in the area of exempt research. She also supports the Radioactive Drug Research Committee! In her new role, Diana will be assisting in the management of research projects reviewed by an external IRB and will participate in community outreach initiatives.


Intellectual Property Partners (IPP)

Working with IPP

Learn about working with IPP

See the new  video to learn about partnering with IPP to commercialize your invention!  

IPP has temporarily relocated

Due to office construction, the IPP office temporarily moved to Suite S5421 on the 5th Floor of the Frank Melville Jr. Memorial Library. Looking forward to seeing you there!

 

Highlights

New anti-cancer compound originally discovered at Stony Brook university takes a major step towards clinical development

TargaGenix, Inc., a Stony Brook University spinout, takes a major step towards clinical development of NE-DHA-SBT-1214 - the novel “nano-formulated taxane” that could significantly improve treatment for colorectal cancer and other solid tumors. The taxane was originally discovered at Stony Brook University. Read the complete article about TargaGenix, Inc

Ipp entered  into a non-exclusive software and patent license agreement with linkprop, a start-up company located in canada

The technology developed by Dr. H. Andrew Schwartz, an Associate Professor in the department of Computer Science, is a process for predicting community real estate outcomes using social media.  

Inventors and entrepreneurs shared experience and inspiration during the Young academic inventors symposium and panel discussion in december 2022

Intellectual Property Partners and the Stony Brook University Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors hosted the Young Academic Inventors Symposium and a panel discussion “From Bench to Boardroom: The Journey of Early Career Entrepreneurs”. The event was held in  December 2022 virtually with more than 70 attendees from Stony Brook University joining the session to honor early-career inventors and to get insight on the inventors’ and entrepreneurs’ career paths shared by the keynote speaker and by the entrepreneurs - participants of the panel discussion.  Learn more about the Young Academic Inventor Symposium

qunnect, stony brook university spinoff, building quantum loop, raises $8.5M

A Stony Brook University spinoff is building a test bed for a real-life quantum internet. The company's GothamQ project is far removed from the on-screen "Quantumania" of Marvel's latest time-bending Ant-Man and Wasp adventure, but it could lead to a future where online communications are secure from hackers.  Read the Newsday article about Qunnect

stony brook University start-up, codagenix, raises $25M series b extension

Codagenix Inc., a clinical-stage synthetic biology company with a rational virus design platform for live-attenuated viral vaccines and immuno-oncology therapeutics, today announced the completion of a $25 million Series B extension financing, with participation from a new investor, the Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., along with existing investors Euclidean Capital and Adjuvant Capital. Read the press-release about Codagenix

yuanyuan yang named a 2022 fellow of the national academy of inventors

Yuanyuan Yang, distinguished professor in Stony Brook University Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) — the highest professional distinction accorded solely to academic inventors. She has also become a member of the Stony Brook University NAI Chapter. Read the article about Yuanyuan Yang's accomplishments

Seven patents issued to stony brook university researchers

IPP is pleased to announce seven new U.S. patents issued to Stony Brook  University faculty and students from November 2022 to present.

 

Staff Update

We are glad to announce that Mansoor Khan has just joined our team as a Senior Licensing Associate. Mansoor is a seasoned professional with experience in technology commercialization, IP licensing, international business development and fund raising, technical marketing, venture capital, and hardware and software design. See  Mansoor's bio


Economic Development

Highlights

mtrc hosts forum to help manufacturers connect

New York State’s food and beverage industry came together for Growth of the Urban Foodscape – a manufacturing forum held on March 16, 2023 at Farmingdale State College. The idea of the forum was to connect startups, early-stage entrepreneurs, and small and midsize food and beverage companies with potential business development resource providers. It was a unique chance for companies to discover what their peers and competitors do, network with the industry professionals, explore development opportunities, and get advice from experts. 

a joint project of ibm and stony brook university turns research into action

IBM's Sustainability Accelerator program has selected Stony Brook University to receive a technology grant to develop the Clean Energy Equity Index (CEEI).  Led by Dr. Rong Zhao, Director of the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT), and Drs. Christine Gilbert and Sung-Gheel Jang of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS), this project aims to provide actionable information and best practices to support communities across the United States and other countries in their transition from fossil fuel energy production to clean energy. Read more about the joint project of IBM and Stony Brook University

the 7th annual Hack@cewit was a great success!

Hack@CEWIT 2023 returned live to Stony Brook University after two years of going virtual due to COVID. The Hackathon united more than 120 students for 44 hours of collaboration, innovation and creativity in an effort to hack a sustainable future. As a result, students showcased over 20 unique projects that followed their passion.


Human Resource Services

Guidance

summer appointments on rf payroll

Here is a link to Guidelines to assist you in hiring summer appointments on the Research Foundation payroll, including Summer Project Aides.  These guidelines can also be found by navigating to the Seasonal News section of the HR website homepage.

Summer Appointment Types - A Brief Summary…

  • Research Faculty and positions WITH an academic year obligation: Begins May 22, 2023 and ends August 18, 2023.
  • All other summer-hire only positions including Summer Project Aide: The RF has defined the period of employment to be no more than 4 months and must be between May 1, 2023 and September 30, 2023.
  • Current or New SUNY Graduate Students: Begins the day after graduation and ends the day before the Fall semester begins.
  • Current or New SUNY Undergraduate Students: Begins the day after graduation and ends the day before the Fall semester begins.

More Questions? Use this link to contact your RF Payroll Specialist.

RF Self Service

Please remember to log into the Research Foundation Self Service Portal to update any changes to addresses or banking information

www.rfsuny.org/selfservice.

More Questions? Visit Change My Info.

hr is here to help with filling your postdoc positions!

Want to create an On-Demand Postdoc Applicant Pool?

As your Scientific Recruiter, we can partner with you and your team to post an ongoing postdoctoral position on SBU JOBS - tailoring the qualifications and job description to your very specific needs. Simultaneously, we can conduct targeted advertising every six months — at no cost to you — referring a pipeline of applicants to the postdoctoral section of SBU JOBS, where they can view the details of your position.

Just email me at daniel.lodato@stonybrook.edu and let me know that you are interested.

research faculty and the tiaa retirement plan

The Research Foundation has a one-year vesting period for its TIAA retirement plan. Many of you are already vested and the appropriate level of contribution will be paid when you move to the Research Foundation payroll.

For faculty not yet vested, there is a one-year waiting period before contributions begin — the SUNY academic year plus the Research Foundation summer employment comprises the year. The Research Foundation may use your State service as a credit towards participation and vesting in the Research Foundation Retirement Plan. Faculty members that have prior State service will receive credit if theRF Prior Service Credit Form is completed and submitted to hrs_benefits@stonybrook.edu. More Questions? Email hrs_benefits@stonybrook.edu.

Training

rf training

Grow your future with the Research Foundation's wide range of seasonal learning and development offerings. Their Spring 2023 learning Series is coming soon - https://www.rfsuny.org/our-work/learning--development/ For enrollment questions contact learning@rfsuny.org.


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