Originally published through the Research Radar e-newsletter
on March 12, 2025.
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Letter from the VPR
Colleagues,
Last week I took part in the WSU Board of Regents meetings on the Tri-Cities campus. During the first day of the meetings, I had the chance to speak twice about the current state of our research enterprise. To begin, I consciously highlighted the very real gains we have made across the research enterprise. For example, in FY25, we are outpacing previous years for total external funding awarded, surpassing last year’s cumulative total by this point in the year with particularly strong growth in the first quarter of the fiscal year. Additionally, we’ve seen steady proposal submission rates, both in terms of the number of proposals submitted and the total value of proposed funding. In fact, our submission rates are outpacing those from FY24, including in January and February. I think it is important to recognize this upward trend and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our faculty and research support staff across the system who made this happen. These accomplishments are significant. They demonstrate the tenacity of our faculty and the resilience of our support staff, especially in the face of uncertainty.
However, even amidst these positive metrics, the past few weeks have seen increasing turbulence at the federal level with clear consequences here at WSU. Seven USAID grants led by WSU researchers were terminated, most of which were held within the Paul G. Allen School for Global Health. These grants supported high-impact projects focused on both human and animal health, including two Feed the Future Innovation Labs. These labs are part of a national network that tests and disseminates technologies, builds partnerships with the U.S. agricultural and food industries, and fosters new market opportunities.
In addition, on February 26, the White House issued Executive Order 14222, directing agencies to review all grants and contracts for “efficiency,” and to terminate where allowed by law and in alignment with federal policies. The existing Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 2 CFR 200.340(a)(4), allows an agency to terminate an award if it “no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities.” For example, the entire Department of Defense Minerva Research Initiative was shuttered, including a WSU grant in the College of Arts and Sciences.
While it is true that the terminated grants make up about 3% of our total awards. I know that for the researchers impacted, these make up much more. It is the research they have spent years or even decades cultivating, it is the relationships with the communities in which they work, and it is the lasting positive impacts made from their work.
Near the end of the Board of Regents meeting, Tom Kawula, professor and director of the Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, addressed the board on a topic related to the degree programs WSU supports. However, the conversation shifted to the recent termination of USAID awards. Acknowledging the temporary chaos and the need to pivot, Tom remained steadfast in his commitment to the research, emphasizing the importance of continuing the work that has had such a profound global impact. He expressed a determination to secure funding from other sources to ensure the sustainability of these vital programs. Listening to Tom, I was reminded that for many of us, myself included, our research goes far beyond securing grant dollars. We are driven by the desire to make a difference in people’s lives, support the communities we care about, and expand knowledge for the benefit of all. And that is something that won’t change, even with the change of government.
Kim Christen
Vice President for Research
Federal Updates
Provost Chris Riley-Tillman to host Promotion and Tenure Town Halls
Doug Call, senior vice provost, and Lisa Guerrero, vice provost for Equity and Inclusive Excellence, will provide an overview of updates to the 2025–2026 Promotion and Tenure process, discuss WSU’s land-grant mission, and address questions related to faculty success and support. Please join us at either of the sessions: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., on Friday, February 28, and 3 – 4:30 p.m., on Tuesday, March 18. Join the broadcast on Zoom by clicking on this link. Questions? Contact the Provost’s Office via email at provosts.office@wsu.edu.
Upcoming Events
Water Research Center Webinar: Overabundant Water Stargrass Growth in the Yakima River
Bring your lunch at noon on Thursday, March 20, and learn about water resource issues and research in Washington state. The Water Research Center is hosting a virtual lunchtime seminar series this spring. We’ll hear from the Center’s 2023–24 seed grant recipients and learn how their research is informing some of Washington State’s water-related challenges. Aaron Pelly and his advisor, Sarah Roley, have been investigating the growth of water stargrass in Washington’s rivers. They will discuss how this aquatic plant impacts ecosystems and fish habitat, as well as strategies for managing it. The webinar is free but registration is required. Register here.
Save the Date for June 3: Specimen Access Network (SAN) Symposium
Save the date for the Specimen Access Network (SAN) Symposium on June 3. The SAN directly supports accelerated translational research within our communities. The role of the SAN is to enable and speed access to the specimens required to drive health research forward and improve lives. Access to specimens is one of the first steps in the translational research lifecycle, which is a multi-step process reliant on the collective expertise of teams from various backgrounds including research teams asking new questions, securing external funding data analysts, interpreting results, clinicians working directly with patients, designing research-focused systems and algorithms, and many other supporting arms. The Seattle Translational Tumor Research (STTR) group, based out of Fred Hutch, supports translational cancer research for 16 tumor-specific research programs in the Seattle area. The group created a framework to identify the key areas where infrastructure to speed research to clinical impact and resources needed to support these efforts.
Office Hours with the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships
On alternating Mondays and Thursdays at noon, come to the Office of Research conference room, Lighty 280, for some dedicated proposal writing time in a quiet space. Have questions for our development specialists? Come in-person or visit virtually by clicking the Zoom link on our website.
Leveraging the Power of Extension in Community-Engaged Research
Join us via Zoom on from noon – 1 p.m., on Monday, March 31, to learn how WSU Extension translates research into practice to address local needs. This is done by conducting and applying research and knowledge in a way that is culturally appropriate and tailored to the unique needs of individuals and communities. If approached thoughtfully, Extension can be a valuable partner in conducting community-engaged research. RSVP here.
Calls for Proposals
INSPIRE! CERSG-Tier 3 NOI Due March 15
Funding of up to $20,000 through the INSPIRE! Community Engaged Research Seed Grant-Tier 3 program is intended to support WSU Pullman faculty who have established CER programs and community relationships and who need assistance in moving their research agenda to a stage for external funding applications. For more information and to submit the required Notice of Intent by the March 15 deadline, visit the website.
New Samsung University Collaboration Program Accepting Proposals
The Strategic Alliance for Research and Technology (START), Samsung’s new university collaboration program, will accept proposals for research that aims to discover new, emerging, frontier technologies and conduct advanced research for Samsung’s future. We focus on technologies targeting the Device Experience (DX) division, the completed goods side of Samsung’s business (mobile phones, TVs, home appliances, etc.). Projects selected will be awarded up to $150,000 for a 1-year project, with the possibility for renewal at the end of the year. The submission window is now open for abstract submissions and will be open until 5 p.m., on Tuesday, March 21. If you have a topic not covered by a CFPs but you feel could be a critical game changer for Samsung, please still submit it for review. Learn more about CFP Briefs, participation details, program updates, and announcements by visiting the START Program website.
Murdock Charitable Trust: Sciex 7500+ Seed Grant Call for Proposals
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has granted funding to sponsor a seed grant program for WSU faculty to conduct initial research using the Sciex 7500+ instrument. The purpose of the seed grants is to help WSU faculty investigate how this instrument can enhance their research and help them secure additional funding to use the instrument in their research. Accordingly, these small grants aim to support new faculty investigators who have not used a Sciex 7500+ system to utilize the instrument to seed new projects. Deadline for submission is 5 p.m., on Friday, April 4. For more information, visit the program document or contact John Clarke j.clarke@wsu.edu or Ze Liu ze.liu@wsu.edu.
For Your Information
Update on Electronic Protocol Submission for Research Involving Human Participants
Effective March 17, 2025, all new exempt research applications will be required to be submitted via the electronic submission system (eIRB).
The WSU Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), in partnership with the Office of Research Assurances (ORA) and the Office of Research Support and Operations (ORSO), has implemented an electronic protocol submission and review system (eIRB) in the MyResearch database.
Please ensure you review the eIRB Quick Start Guide prior to beginning a new exempt application via the eIRB system. You can access the system by logging into WSU’s MyResearch database to begin your application. The forms-based submission process for exempt research will no longer be used after March 17, if a form is submitted it will be returned with a reminder to use the electronic system. For more information, please visit our web page.
While the eIRB system has been designed to be self-guided, many new users will undoubtedly have questions. In support of our researchers during the transition to the eIRB system, WSU HRPP staff will be available to offer individualized assistance regarding eIRB submission issues by appointment only. These meetings will be offered virtually, and you may be asked to share your screen so that IRB staff can assist you and see potential issues from your perspective. Please visit our Bookings page to schedule a 30 minute “eIRB Submission Support” appointment.
Commercialization Spotlight: Tech 3274 – Cellulose Foams for High-Performance Insulation
The Office of Commercialization was recently granted US Patent No. 12,152,120, issued on November 26, 2024, for Tech 3274, titled “Cellulose Foams for High-Performance Insulation.” This innovative technology was developed by Xiao Zhang and his team, and licensed to Pregis LLC, a prominent packaging company. Pregis is currently working on the scale up of the industrial/manufacturing process and supply chain for this technology. Zhang is also the recipient of this year’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award.