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).
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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.
Executive Director, Research Initiatives
As the Executive Director of Research Initiatives, Joe Balthasar will manage the Buffalo Blue Sky program, administer Research and Economic Development internal funding programs, lead multi-disciplinary teaming initiatives and coordinate UB’s limited submissions.
Executive Director, Regulatory Support
As the Executive Director of Regulatory Support, Stan Halvorsen will oversee the university’s Office of Research Compliance and all Lab Animal Facilities. He will also serve on several university-wide committees including Biosafety, Radiation Safety and Stem Cell Oversight.
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.
Interim Director of CCR
As interim director of the Center for Computational Research, Matt Jones manages the day-to-day operations of this leading academic supercomputing center, as well as overseeing its research activities.
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Diana Aga, PhD
Director, UB RENEW Institute
Diana Aga, Henry M. Woodburn Professor of Chemistry in the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences, has been named director of the UB RENEW (Research and Education in eNergy, Environment and Water) Institute. Aga is an internationally recognized environmental and analytical chemist, and a devoted mentor who has encouraged and helped to launch the careers of a new generation of diverse scientists in her field.
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.
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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.
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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.
Director, Research Information Systems
Tom Wendt oversees the Research Information Systems (RIS) 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.
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