Research, Innovation and Economic Development Support Teams
The Office for Research, Innovation and Economic Development provides a supportive infrastructure for scholarly and entrepreneurial pursuits, fostering innovative thinking and industry collaboration in the university and community. Our teams are here to handle the heavy lifting in the process so you can focus on the research.
Our units support campus-wide research and an entrepreneurial enterprise. In helping faculty achieve research excellence, they work on proposals from concept through submission, review regulations to ensure compliance, and offer training and assistance. They encourage entrepreneurs, nurture startups and facilitate innovation in ways that benefit the university as well as the local and global community.
Research Support Teams
Fostering diverse ideas to propel the world forward
The Research, Innovation and Economic Development leadership team is dedicated to supporting all academic and operational functions at the University at Buffalo. Together, our leaders leverage their expertise to implement institutional priorities, serve the research community and advance UB's research mission.
ORA supports researchers pursuing external research funding, providing comprehensive administrative and technical support to researchers throughout the proposal process.
SPS assists researchers with securing sponsored awards, submitting proposals and post-award management, providing comprehensive support across the full research project lifecycle.
ORC oversees research policies and procedures, collaborating with federal, state and private regulatory agencies to ensure all research activities uphold the highest scientific and ethical standards.
CRO handles administrative oversight for all clinical research activities, facilitates compliant research and ensures adherance to research conduct policies.
BRO supports researchers conducting studies in non-clinical focus areas, including social, behavioral and education research.
LAF oversees the animal care-and-use program, ensuring healthy animal subjects are available to researchers approved for research, testing or educational studies.
TT helps faculty with industry sponsored research projects commercialize their technology, bringing research from lab to market and facilitating business growth.
BEP connects researchers, startups and industry with a depth of expertise, facilities and support. These connections fuel discovery, strengthen businesses and create lasting economic impact.
RIS supports research efforts on both the administrative and program sides, providing integrated information services, technologies and a robust IT infrastructure across the university.
Our Extended Team
We work with accomplished scientists, experts, entrepreneurs and businesspeople who help us move innovations to impact.
Elizabeth Cimasi
Director, Resource Management
Devon Dams-O'Connor
Marketing and Communications
Research and Economic Development
523 Capen Hall
Email: devondam@buffalo.edu
Madeline M. Dovi
Communications and Project Coordinator
Research and Economic Development
Joelle Haseley
Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development
Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development
Kathleen Heyworth
Associate Director of Marketing and Communications
Research and Economic Development
![Meredith Jones.]()
Meredith Jones
Executive Assistant
Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development
Sarah Koss
Finance and HR Assistant for VPRED
Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development
![Tracy Krawczyk-Schiedel.]()
Tracy Krawczyk-Schiedel
Assistant VP for Communications, Marketing & Digital Operations
Research and Economic Development, Business & Entrepreneur Partnerships
Kimberly McQuate
Sr. Digital & Graphic Designer
Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science; National AI Institute for Exceptional Education
![Carol O'Connell.]()
Carol L. O'Connell, MPA
AVP, Strategic Growth
Research and Economic Development
![Chitra Rajan.]()
Chitra Rajan
Associate Vice President, Research Advancement
Research and Economic Development
UB Commons, Suite 114, 520 Lee Entrance, North Campus
Phone: (716) 645-3321
Email: chitrara@buffalo.edu
Patricia Riehle
Senior Digital and Graphic Design Associate
Research and Economic Development
Amy Schmit
Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff
Research and Economic Development
![Per Stromhaug.]()
Per Stromhaug, PhD
Senior Associate Vice President for Economic Development
Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships
![Albert Titus.]()
Albert H. Titus, PhD
Senior Associate Vice President for Research
Office for Research, Innovation and Economic Development
