Leadership and Administration
Vice President, Research and Economic Development
As vice president,Venu Govindaraju, PhD, oversees the university's research activities and its economic development initiatives. A SUNY Distinguished Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, he also serves as founding director of the Center for Unified Biometrics and Sensors (CUBS).
> View full profile | > Learn more about Research and Economic Development
Senior Associate Vice President, Research and RF Operations Manager
Ken Tramposch supports the research and creative activities needs of faculty throughout UB. His goal is to enable greater collaboration among different disciplines.
> View full profile | > Learn more about Research and Economic Development
Christina P. Orsi
Associate Vice President, Economic Development
Christina Orsi coordinates university-wide economic development efforts, including activities sponsored by federal and state government, industry and foundations, and economic development programs. This includes START-UP NY, UB's incubators, Western New York Incubator Network, UB's NYS Centers of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences and Materials Informatics as well as UB's Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology. She also manages the university's Technology Transfer office.
> View full profile | > Business & Entrepreneur Partnerships | > CBLS | > CMI | > START-UP NY | > UB's Incubators | > WIN | > UB CAT | > Technology Transfer
Chitra Rajan, PhD
As Associate Vice President for Research Advancement, Chitra Rajan oversees special initiatives including the Communities of Excellence and the Creative Arts Initiative. She also supervises the Office of Research Advancement and facilitaties large-scale, multidisciplinary grant proposals.
Associate Vice President, Sponsored Programs & Commercialization
Moises Sudit oversees UB's Sponsored Project Services and Research Information Services. He works with faculty, deans and others to manage the university’s sponsored funding process, helping grow and manage the sponsored research portfolio.
> View full profile | > Learn more about SPS
Director of CCR
As director of the Center for Computational Research, Tom Furlani manages the day-to-day operations of this leading academic supercomputing center, as well as overseeing its research activities.
> View full profile | > Learn more about CCR
Amit Goyal, PhD, MBA
Director, UB RENEW Institute
Amit Goyal is the inaugural director of the UB RENEW (Research and Euducation in eNergy, Environment and Water) Institute. Working with the deans, faculty and students from seven schools, Goyal oversees the interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to solving globally pressing problems in energy, environment and water.
Director, Office of Research Compliance
Rich Karalus oversees the management and administration of compliance policies as they relate to the university's research activities. He's also the primary liaison with federal, state and other regulatory agencies and works collaboratively with our Environment, Health and Safety department.
Director and Senior Research Scientist, Clinical Research Institute on Addictions
Ken Leonard manages the Clinical Research Institute on Addictions (CRIA), which for more than 40 years has conducted groundbreaking research and is a national leader in the study of substance abuse, addiction and treatment.
> View full profile | > Learn more about CRIA
Executive Director, New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences
Norma Nowak is an entrepreneur, acclaimed researcher and recognized leader in the human genomics field. As executive director of the New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, she guides the strategic operations of the center, bringing together researchers and businesses in the life sciences.
> View full profile | > Learn more about CBLS | > Learn more about BIG
Executive Director, Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics
Paras Prasad supervises the Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics and its program, including education, research and contributions to the region's economic development. The field of photonics—the science and technology based on light—affects communication, information technology and health care.
Assistant Vice President for Administration and Planning
Amy Schmit serves as Venu's chief-of-staff. She works across the unit to support faculty, staff and students engaged in research and economic development initiatives.
Director, Electronic Research Administration
Tom Wendt oversees the Electronic Research Administration (eRA) office. Tom is an IT professional with more than 30 years experience. He has several IT related certifications and has served on many professional committees locally, statewide and nationally.
> View Full Profile | > Learn more about ERA
