The Office of Research hosted its Research Strategic Initiative (RSI) Retreat recently, bringing together university leaders, faculty and research administrators to advance UAB’s research enterprise in alignment with evolving federal priorities. The retreat featured a robust agenda designed to inform, engage and inspire strategic action across the university’s research community.

President Ray Watts delivered opening remarks, emphasizing UAB’s continued commitment to the success of the Research Strategic Initiative. He acknowledged the daily efforts of many across the university that have enabled meaningful progress toward the initiative’s goals.

Other program highlights included:

• an update on the federal research landscape from Leslee Gilbert, Ph.D., vice president at Van Scoyoc Associates;
• a discussion on emerging funding opportunities led by Shaaretha Pelly, Ph.D., vice president at The Implementation Group;
• a fiscal overview presented by Stephanie Mullins, UAB’s chief financial officer; and
• a progress update on the Research Strategic Initiative delivered by Chris Brown, Ph.D., vice president for Research.

“Many of the plans put forward by the Research Strategic Initiative have already been operationalized, demonstrating real progress and the importance of sustained effort,” added Brown. These include:

• the new electronic research administration portal, myUABResearch, the first modules of which are on track for a go-live date of December 2025;
• the Research Strategic Initiative Faculty Recruitment Fund, which has considered 10 applications for UAB Presidential Faculty Scholars to date, with seven faculty accepting packages and one pending acceptance;
• supplemental state support for faculty bridge funding, the clinical trials initiative, research cores, and the Animal Resources Program;
• establishing the ARO-CT (Academic Research Organization-Clinical Trials) as a central hub to streamline clinical trial operations;
• reducing the median time for contract execution for industry-sponsored clinical trials from 140 days in fiscal year 2022 to 75 days in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025;
• reducing the median time for initial review of local IRBs from 60 days in August 2024 to 10 days in August 2025;
• launching the new Igniting Data Insights initiative and Technology Alignment and Collaboration Committee to strengthen the institution’s data infrastructure, foster collaboration and ensure that decisions are informed, efficient and future-ready; and
• launching a metrics dashboard for the Research Strategic Initiative.

Following the presentations, attendees broke into small groups to brainstorm and explore key components of the RSI. These sessions focused on aligning UAB’s research strategic initiative goals and high growth research areas with federal priorities and identifying actionable strategies to strengthen the university’s research impact.

New group is coordinating institutional response plans

A new working group has been chartered as part of the Research Strategic Initiative to monitor, interpret and communicate federal guidance impacting our research enterprise. This working group will collaborate with the six existing working groups within the Research Strategic Initiative framework, as well as relevant departments, to help adapt policies, processes, and procedures in response to emerging directives.

The group will coordinate and communicate institutional response plans in a timely manner that may include policy updates, implementation plans and procedural changes. It will advise the Research Strategic Initiative’s Executive Steering Committee (ESC) on new federal guidance-related risks and required actions. The group’s charge includes timely communication and guidance for stakeholders; it will prepare a communication plan to keep all relevant stakeholders informed.

Working Group 7 membership

The group’s members are:

• Office of Compliance & Risk Assurance: Jereme Logan, J.D., Associate Risk & Compliance Officer - Chair
• Office of Research: Jason Nichols, O.D. MPH, Ph.D., Senior Associate Vice President for Research
• Financial Affairs: Andy Hollis, Chief Financial Officer and Associate Vice President of Financial Affairs
• Office of Provost: Michelle Robinson, DMD, Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
• Faculty/researchers:
  • Robert Sorge, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychology (College of Arts and Sciences);
  • Victor Darley-Usmar, Ph.D., Senior Associate Dean of Research, Compliance and Administration and Professor, Department of Pathology (Heersink School of Medicine); and
  • Suzanne Judd, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Behavior (School of Public Health)
• Office of University Counsel: Natalie Cox, J.D., University Counsel

Other faculty/staff may be consulted on an as-needed basis.

Follow the latest updates about the Research Strategic Initiative at uab.edu/research1b.