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News & Views

From

Richard H. Kennedy, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Research

             Dear Faculty:

             Happy New Year.  May the coming year provide success and fulfillment in both your personal and professional lives. 

             I have been serving as Senior Associate Dean for Research for 5 months, and I appreciate the enthusiastic support I have received from all the faculty and administration during this initial period.  It has been an exciting beginning for me at Loyola, and I look forward to working with everyone to establish an infrastructure that will truly support our vision for the continuing development of research at Stritch School of Medicine (SSOM) and Loyola University Health System.  I am delighted to have this opportunity to discuss some of our plans for the strategic development of the research enterprise at SSOM. 

             I should begin by applauding the outstanding science being conducted on our campus.  We have many nationally and internationally recognized investigators in several fields and disciplines, and our per capita funding is excellent.  Based on this level of excellence, I am certain that plans established by the Research 2010 Committee and the Dean, and supported by the evolving Comprehensive Campaign will result in significant growth in our peer-reviewed and extramurally funded research, and in our supporting infrastructure.  In addition, I want to thank the current and past members of the IRB, IACUC, Research Funding Committee and Institutional Biohazards Committee, who have continued to provide valuable services, that while sometimes time-consuming, truly play a vital role in fulfilling our regulatory compliance demands and allowing everyone on campus to pursue their creative, scholarly activities.  Finally, I would like to thank the staff of the Office of Research Services (ORS).  These individuals, who have been very supportive of me during the past 5 months, are dedicated employees who are working hard to develop a “service-oriented” and supportive structure that will alleviate, to the extent possible, the administrative and compliance burden on investigators, while at the same time protecting campus in terms of regulatory requirements.

          With respect to our plans and vision for the future, I plan to continue building upon the proposal developed by the Research 2010 Committee, which is addressed by a letter from the Dean in this issue of the Academic Senate Steering Committee Website.  In general, the collective wisdom of the 2010 Committee and many others who contributed to its process has provided an excellent framework from which to develop a strong and collaborative research enterprise.  Specific needs in terms of core facilities organization, technology transfer, compliance, animal care, communications, the clinical research infrastructure, interactions with the Hines VA, research space, mentorship, strong basic science and clinical department collaborations, research release time for clinical faculty, research opportunities for medical students, and collaborative efforts with the Water Tower and Lake Shore Campuses have all been raised by the Research 2010 Committee report or other sources, and we have begun to address many of these issues.  For example, during the past 5 months, the Dean has instituted new per diem charges for animal care, initiated a planning process for establishment of a stronger presence for intellectual property/technology transfer, established a part time position for legal review of contracts and agreements, opened a part time position for a core facilities director, and initiated changes in process that should support stronger interactions with the VA.  In addition, as we continue to move forward we are utilizing the collective input of the entire SSOM scientific community in order to reinforce and establish programs and initiatives that are most likely to flourish in the Loyola environment.  In addition to the Research Advisory Council, which serves as the primary advisory body to the Senior Associate Dean for Research, we have established several ad hoc committees that are focusing on areas of concern such as the Clinical Research Advisory Committee, the Faculty Development Advisory Committee (which is focusing on mentorship issues), the Informatics Advisory Committee, and the Neuroscience and Aging Institute Strategic Planning Committee (which is developing a plan that addresses focus areas for future research development and the ideal credentials for a new director).  In addition, the Research Advisory Council is currently working on plans for a research planning retreat for campus.  I am certain you will receive a memo from them regarding this retreat in the near future.

          The overriding future goal for ORS is to institute and streamline administrative processes that support applications for and administration of extramurally funded research, while insuring that we meet the ever-increasing regulations placed on academic institutions (such as increased surveillance of biohazards).  In addition, I hope to identify methods to enhance communications (including efficient dissemination of information regarding grant funding opportunities), writing support, and assistance with preparation of protocols such as those required for human and animal research.

        In terms of my non-administrative time at SSOM, I plan to continue a funded research program.  I have just submitted an application for extramural support and intend to submit another application to NIH in the next 6 months.  My existing funding has remained at my prior institution under the guidance of very capable collaborators and technical staff.  I hope to continue these projects at Loyola in the future, although my current applications would initiate new research areas.

         In closing, I would like to thank Dean Slogoff for being very supportive during my short tenure here at Loyola, and I am sorry to hear of his pending retirement.  Nonetheless, I look forward to the recruitment of a new Dean for SSOM as well as a LUC Vice-President for Research, with whom we can work to establish a productive, funded and internationally recognized research program.  As in the past months, I encourage everyone to contact me with concerns or ideas at any time, and I will continue my “open door policy”.  Alternately, if you prefer, please feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone (68433), or contact Brenda Barrett to schedule an appointment.