Meet Professor Doolittle, a biologist and chair of Genetics at Zoo U. After studying genetic mutations in small-ear pigs to better understand coat color variation for breed preservation and development, Doolittle and his post-doc invented a genetic test and launched a startup called PigMentation. The post-doctoral co-inventor runs PigMentation's day-to-day business … [Read more...] about A Conflict of Conflicts
How to Build a Research Consortium
Most principal investigators spend many hours laboring over proposals to fund their research programs – and for good reason. While competing for funding is the big business for researchers, some have opted to fund their programs in other ways, like building a research consortium. The word “consortium” means a group of individuals, companies or governments that work together … [Read more...] about How to Build a Research Consortium
Using Inclusive Language at Your University
Being mindful of inclusive language practices is more important than ever. Education is growing rapidly on this important topic to help writers – in fact, anyone writing words – avoid potentially harmful language. Universities are growing pockets of diversity, often representing faculty, staff and students from different backgrounds who have varying life experiences. … [Read more...] about Using Inclusive Language at Your University
Balancing Your Research Checkbook
Balancing your research checkbook is like managing your personal finances. However, it's much less common these days to do so with a paper bank statement and check register, as many people now use digital resources to follow their money. Regardless of how you do it, managing your income and expenses is important if you want to keep your finances healthy. Reconciling research … [Read more...] about Balancing Your Research Checkbook
Why Material Transfers Need a Contract
Material transfers are nothing new to university research operations. But there continues to be reluctance among faculty to get the right paperwork in place for it. Why?“Material transfers take time and faculty just want to move on with their research,” said Laura Gutierrez, research compliance specialist at the University of Houston. “Negotiations between institutions over … [Read more...] about Why Material Transfers Need a Contract
4 Misconceptions of University Tech Transfer Offices
Beyond their education and research missions, universities across the nation have turned research discoveries into big business. In addition to protecting intellectual property from faculty discoveries, universities build and support startup pipelines to help researchers commercialize those technologies. However, there are a few misconceptions when it comes to university … [Read more...] about 4 Misconceptions of University Tech Transfer Offices
3 Ways to Prevent University Research Misconduct
There are so many instances of university research misconduct that the spotlight is shining brighter on institutions now than ever. Not the good kind of spotlight, either. Findings involving university research can be either good or bad. We celebrate, publish and acknowledge scientific contributions at universities. After all, research is part of our mission. Conversely, there … [Read more...] about 3 Ways to Prevent University Research Misconduct
Accelerate Your Tech to the Market
A startup accelerator provides promising companies with an opportunity to boost their chances of marketing their technologies. These programs help small companies pivot their technologies strategically, interface with industry sectors and engage with mentor network to better pitch their ideas to the market. Unfortunately, most startups will never have the chance to participate … [Read more...] about Accelerate Your Tech to the Market
Manufacturing Startups Take Longer Than You Think
It’s every inventors dream to commercialize a product and be rolling in the dough within a couple of years. But in the real world, most startups take at least five to seven years to turn profit. If manufacturing, try 10 to 12. … [Read more...] about Manufacturing Startups Take Longer Than You Think
Engaging Faculty in the Business of Research
The world of academic research is tough. As institutional research offices juggle regulatory and financial challenges within a continually strained system, they still have to lead their respective enterprises and serve their research communities. … [Read more...] about Engaging Faculty in the Business of Research
The Valley of Death: How Universities Can Help Startups Survive
When looking out over the commercialization landscape, the vast space a product has to travel from discovery to the marketplace appears to be growing. … [Read more...] about The Valley of Death: How Universities Can Help Startups Survive
When Uniform Guidance Isn’t Uniform: Cost Sharing
When the U.S. Office of Management and Budget released Uniform Guidance a couple of years ago, the goal was to provide a more structured and standardized approach to grants management within institutional research operations. … [Read more...] about When Uniform Guidance Isn’t Uniform: Cost Sharing