Planning for Future Research in Public Universities in Uncertain Times Merrill Series on The Research Mission of Public Universities A compilation of papers originally presented at a retreat sponsored by The Merrill Advanced Studies Center July 2014 Mabel L. Rice, Editor Technical editor: Evelyn Haaheim MASC Report No. 118 The University of Kansas © 2014 The University of Kansas Merrill Advanced Studies Center or individual author TABLE OF CONTENTS MASC Report No. 118 Introduction Mabel L. Rice ..................................................................................................................... vi Director, Merrill Advanced Studies Center, the University of Kansas Executive summary ......................................................................................................... viii Keynote address Sally Frost Mason ........................................................................................................... 1 President, the University of Iowa Planning for Future Research in Public Universities in Uncertain Times Panel 1: Research Administrators Harvey Perlman ............................................................................................................. 19 Chancellor, University of Nebraska Engaging with the Private Sector: Nebraska Innovation Campus Brian Foster ...................................................................................................................... 25 Provost and Professor Emeritus, University of Missouri Adaptive Planning in a Chaotic Research Environment: Aligning Academic and Business Issues Jeffrey Scott Vitter ......................................................................................................... 42 Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, University of Kansas Julie S. Nagel Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships, University of Kansas Enhancing University Research through Corporate Engagement and Collaboration Panel 2: Researchers Baskar Ganapathysubramanian ............................................................................ 49 Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University Revolutionizing science through simulation: A junior researcher’s perspective on research challenges in uncertain times Jonathan Brumberg ...................................................................................................... 57 Assistant Professor, Speech-Language-Hearing, University of Kansas Interdisciplinary collaborations at work in brain-machine interfacing Shannon Bartelt-Hunt ................................................................................................. 66 Associate Professor, Civil Engineering, University of Nebraska Collaborative research between engineering and life sciences: Influences of surface attachment on the biological properties of proteins iii Panel 3: Research Administrators Danny Anderson ........................................................................................................... 70 Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Kansas Research, Productivity, and Pressures on Faculty in an Era of Disruptive Change John F. Leslie .................................................................................................................... 78 Head, Dept. of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University Stabilizing Research Departments in a 10% World Mark McIntosh ................................................................................................................ 86 Professor and Chair, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri Strategic Investments in Research in Microbiology and Immunology – Importance of Technology Infrastructure Panel 4: Research Administrators Karen Burg ........................................................................................................................ 96 Vice President for Research, Kansas State University Planning Interdisciplinarity in Uncertain Times: Research Centers Henry Foley .................................................................................................................... 100 Senior Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, University of Missouri The New Role of Land Grant Universities in the 21st Century: An Essay Prem Paul ......................................................................................................................... 112 Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, University of Nebraska Top Secrets to Growing University Research in Uncertain Times Sarah Nusser .................................................................................................................. 120 Vice President for Research, Iowa State University Research Administration and Leadership – Perspectives of a New VPR Panel 5: Research Administrators Michele Kennett ........................................................................................................... 123 Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Missouri Anticipating New Directions in Human Subjects Research Chitra Rajan .................................................................................................................... 125 Associate Vice President for Research, Iowa State University Developing Research Capacity and Infrastructure Richard Barohn ............................................................................................................. 130 Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Kansas Medical Center Laura Herbelin, BSc - Research Instructor, Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center Lauren S. Aaronson, PhD, RN, -Professor, School of Nursing and Dept. of Health Policy & Management, School of Medicine; Deputy Director, Frontiers: The Heartland Insti- tute for Clinical and Translational Research, University of Kansas Medical Center Clinical Research: New Frontiers iv Joseph Heppert ............................................................................................................. 137 Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Kansas Can research inform us about the efficacy of University STEM education? Panel 6: Administrators and Researchers Kurt Preston .................................................................................................................... 144 Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Nebraska Department of Defense Research Funding: Opportunities, Idiosyncrasies, and Risk Analysis Emily Smith ..................................................................................................................... 152 Associate Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, Iowa State University The argument for investing in expensive research endeavors: Analytical Chemistry as an example Joy Ward ........................................................................................................................... 158 Associate Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas Enhancing the Success of Early Career Faculty in STEM Fields During Uncertain Times Chris Sorensen ............................................................................................................... 166 Courtelyou-Rust University Distinguished Professor, Kansas State University 37 Years an Academic Scientist LIST OF PARTICIPANTS and CREDENTIALS ................................................... 172 v Introduction Mabel Rice The Fred and Virginia Merrill Distinguished Professor of Advanced Studies and Director, Merrill Advanced Studies Center, The University of Kansas he following papers each address an aspect of the subject of the eighteenth annual research policy retreat hosted by the Merrill Center: Planning for Future Research T in Public Universities in Uncertain Times. We are pleased to continue this program that brings together University admin- istrators and researcher-scientists for informal discussions that lead to the identifica- tion of pressing issues, understanding of different perspectives, and the creation of plans of action to enhance research productivity within our institutions. This year, the focus was on the adaptation and innovation regional Universities are developing as sources of federal research funding contract. Our keynote speaker for the event, that ensued and the preparation of the fi- Dr Sally Frost Mason, discussed the cur- nal papers. The list of all conference at- rent funding environment and a few new tendees is at the end of the publication. approaches which could be used to im- The inaugural event in this series of prove future prospects. conferences, in 1997, focused on pres- Benefactors Virginia and Fred Mer- sures that hinder the research mission of rill make possible this series of retreats: higher education. In 1998, we turned our The Research Mission of Public Universi- attention to competing for new resources ties. On behalf of the many participants and to ways to enhance individual and over more than a decade, I express deep collective productivity. In 1999, we exam- gratitude to the Merrills for their enlight- ined in more depth cross-university alli- ened support. On behalf of the Merrill ances. The focus of the 2000 retreat was Advanced Studies Center, I extend my on making research a part of the public appreciation for the contribution of effort agenda and championing the cause of re- and time of the participants and in partic- search as a valuable state resource. In ular to the authors of this collection of pa- 2001, the topic was evaluating research pers who found time in their