Vice Provost for Research and Innovation Padma Raghavan has promoted two team members and added another to her office to advance research strategy, compliance and integrity, and industry partnerships.
“I am delighted to have these leaders as part of the team in the Office of Research and Innovation,” Raghavan said. “Each is an expert in their respective areas, including sponsored projects, research integrity and industry partnerships. I look forward to the expansion in opportunities for our faculty that will come through their engagement and support.”
Hirtle appointed assistant provost for research strategy
Jane Hirtle has been appointed as assistant provost for research strategy in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation as of July 1.
Hirtle is now responsible for providing high-level support to Raghavan, including acting as her chief of staff, coordinating and advancing strategic activities across OVPRI’s operating units and leading research communications for the office. Hirtle also oversees Sponsored Programs Administration, which includes continuing the search for a new full-time SPA director, who will report directly to Hirtle.
Hirtle earned three degrees from Vanderbilt—a doctor of philosophy and master of science in psychology and a bachelor’s degree in English and psychology. She began her career at Vanderbilt in the Office of Undergraduate Medical Education before joining the Office of the Vice Provost for Research in 2018. Hirtle has accepted roles with increasing leadership responsibilities since then, including most recently the office’s senior director of research special projects and communications. Now, as assistant provost for research strategy, Hirtle will coordinate strategic activities across the offices supported by OVPRI to expand Vanderbilt’s leadership in trans-disciplinary research and innovation.
“Getting to know and advance the work of faculty and staff within OVPRI, as well as across our schools and colleges over the past few years, has been a thrilling challenge,” Hirtle said. “I’m so excited to continue collaborating with our partners to enhance the university’s research portfolio with new strategic initiatives, programs and services, as well as develop our SPA team and share the inspiring stories of our researchers and innovators.”
Moneta-Koehler appointed assistant provost for research integrity and compliance
Liane Moneta-Koehler, previously director of research development and support, began her appointment as assistant provost for research integrity and compliance on July 1, reporting directly to Raghavan.
She will lead the university’s new Research Integrity and Compliance Program. Staff from Research Development and Support with expertise in research compliance, as well as the Research Integrity and Compliance Committee, will support the new program. They will collaborate with researchers and colleagues across all schools, colleges and relevant offices to enhance Vanderbilt’s culture of integrity and accountability by ensuring that all research adheres to regulatory, legal and ethical expectations.
The new office will act in a collaborative and consultative manner to help faculty meet sponsor obligations, understand new and changing policies, know where to find support, anticipate consistency across all units and mitigate institutional risk. These services will allow researchers to feel confident in exploring new directions for their research and working with new sponsors, as they will have a team of compliance professionals ready, willing and able to help them navigate compliance requirements.
“My team is eager to consult with faculty and other stakeholders in Vanderbilt’s research enterprise to identify and act on research compliance risks,” Moneta-Koehler said. “It takes all of us working in a coordinated and consistent manner to ensure that we adhere to compliance requirements and help advance groundbreaking research. I look forward to engaging with faculty and research administrators in my new role as we design services and solutions to meet their compliance needs.”
Rowe named executive director for industry collaborations
On July 1, Christopher Rowe began his appointment as the executive director for industry collaborations at the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization within the OVPRI.
Before joining OVPRI, Rowe was associate dean for external relations and director of communications in the School of Engineering and faculty director of the A. James Clark Scholars Program. Rowe now leads a team focused on advancing Vanderbilt University’s industry collaborations and partnerships. OVPRI made this strategic investment to further develop industry collaborations after ongoing analysis and discussion with deans, faculty, administrators and central leadership across the university and Vanderbilt University Medical Center focused on enhancing Vanderbilt’s innovation ecosystem.
Working closely with OVPRI and CTTC leaders, Rowe leads Vanderbilt’s efforts to create and expand mutually beneficial industry research collaborations that advance strategic scientific programs, solve industry-relevant research and development challenges and provide channels to deploy and commercialize new technologies of substantial societal impact. Rowe also oversees efforts to create and enhance programs for engaging corporate collaborators, lowering barriers for industry collaborations and assisting faculty seeking industry research support to advance their research programs. The CTTC provides professional commercialization services to the Vanderbilt community to optimize the flow of innovation to the marketplace and generate revenue that supports future research activities, while having a positive impact on society.
“Vanderbilt has transformational leadership across the university who continue to develop our high functioning, high quality tech transfer operations,” Rowe said. “I am thrilled to join OVPRI at this time and to facilitate intentional collaborations with organizations that bring the great work our faculty PIs are doing to light.”