Originally published through the Research Radar e-newsletter
on April 23, 2025.
Subscribe to receive the newsletter directly.
Letter from the VPR
Colleagues,
Last week I presented at the Board of Regents meeting on the Spokane campus. For the last three months, I’ve been providing regular updates to the Regents on the effects of the federal government’s new policies and priorities on research. With each update, new—and largely unprecedented—actions from the federal government continue to reshape the research landscape. I highlighted for the Regents some of these changes: stop work orders, terminations, partial terminations, conditional terminations, and fund freezes. Each of these has resulted in halted research and growing uncertainty about the future of the work and its outcomes.
Currently, WSU has $23.8 million in federal awards under stop work orders or frozen accounts, meaning we cannot draw down funds for work already completed. Just over $4 million in awards have been fully terminated. These numbers have been shifting, sometimes daily. Over the last two months, the stop work orders on 10 awards were rescinded and researchers have been able to resume work. It is also significant to note that at this point in the fiscal year, the cumulative value of our awards is 12% higher than at this point last year. Although with the chaos in federal granting agencies, our awards have slowed since January.
After my presentation, Regent Kassandra Vogel, the WSU student regent, asked about how these changes are affecting principal investigators. Noting that one of WSU’s 11 fully terminated awards was mine, I paused and offered some personal context. For me, like so many others, reading the memo declaring that my work is “no longer consistent with the agency’s priorities and no longer serves the interest of the United States” took the wind out of my sails. I was surprised by how heavily it landed. Texting with a colleague, he helped put words to what I was feeling: “You’ve spent decades doing that work, guided by deeper principles. That’s no small thing to be cancelled, so casually.” I hear that same sense of bewilderment echoed in conversations with other faculty.
On my drive back to Pullman from Spokane that Friday, WSU—along with universities across the country—received notification of the termination of current National Science Foundation (NSF) awards. These came on the heels of an updated statement on NSF’s priorities from its director. Two WSU grants were terminated, bringing our total terminations to 13 across seven agencies.
This state we’re in is uncomfortable. We’re navigating an uncertain future while confronting a present that requires tough choices—even as we grieve the loss of work that meant so much to so many. Right now, I’m working closely with our Office of Research team, Sponsored Programs, and the Budget Office to model the budgetary impacts of lost research awards and the associated facilities and administrative (F&A) revenue that helps sustain our research infrastructure. I’ve also convened a Research Infrastructure Committee, with systemwide representation, to evaluate current facilities and develop models for prioritizing critical infrastructure. This is a continuation of the work outlined in last year’s Enhancing Research Competitiveness report—work that we must now return to in preparation for whatever comes next.
As we continue to navigate the situation, adapt and plan, we must remember WSU’s tradition of research is grounded in our land-grant mission that has not wavered—and it lives on each day through our shared commitment to expanding knowledge, serving communities, and enriching lives.
Kim Christen
Vice President for Research
Federal Updates
The Office of Research launches Revamped Federal Updates Website
In January, the Office of Research launched a new website designed to keep the WSU community informed of the significant and rapid changes to the legal and procedural landscape affecting researchers and the federal agencies that fund much of WSU’s research. In an effort to streamline information, the Office of Research has launched a revamped version of the Federal Updates website.
Research Happens Every Day
We’re highlighting our faculty and their research in our monthly Q&A series. This month, we are excited to highlight the research of Yoshie Sano, professor in the Department of Human Development at WSU Vancouver. Her current research focuses on family well-being of low-income households including family health, access to healthcare, food security, economic well-being, and parenting.
Upcoming Events
Water Research Center Webinar: Monitoring Water Quality in Washington Lakes
Join the Water Research Center at noon, on Monday, April 28, for webinar featuring Emese Hadnagy and Co-PIs Gopal Mulukutla and James Gawel, where they will discuss their research evaluating the use of satellite imagery to capture water quality conditions related to harmful algal blooms in Washington lakes. The research aims to develop water quality indicators to capture intensity and extent of bloom events to protect public health and inform lake management. This webinar is free, but registration is required.
Calls for Proposals
Instrument Mini Seed Grant Call for Proposals
A Zeiss 980 laser confocal scanning microscope equipped with Airyscan 2 detector was recently acquired by WSU with funding support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and is arguably the most sensitive instrument of its class currently commercially available. The PI may request a maximum of $5,000 (no minimum) for supplies and/or consumables and/or small equipment and/or technician support (unrelated to thesis research) related to sample preparation. Proposals are due on Friday, August 1, and can be submitted through email to the Office of Foundation Relations at wsuf.ofr@wsu.edu.
For Your Information
Notifying the IRB regarding FDA or other agency notifications or sponsor-initiated activity
WSU researchers, especially those conducting clinical research, must notify the IRB when either the non-federal sponsor, federal funding agency, or federal regulatory agency requests a change in an IRB approved protocol or takes an action that impacts the status of WSU approved protocol.
For example, if the FDA places a clinical hold on a project involving an IND or IDE, this constitutes a regulatory agency action that stops the conduct of an IRB approved project—typically due to concerns about participant safety—and must be reported to the IRB immediately or as soon as possible. The PI should not wait until after the issues outlined in the clinical hold have been addressed before reporting. Instead, the PI should report and then follow up with the IRB after appropriate amendment of the protocol or other actions have been approved by the regulatory agency. Any changes to a protocol that are required to address a clinical hold must be approved by the IRB prior to implementation.
Similarly, any notification from a sponsor initiating a change to an approved protocol must be communicated to and approved by the IRB via an amendment prior to implementing the change. This includes changes to participant payments, participant enrollment numbers, or elimination of any part of a project (e.g., sponsor required elimination of a DEI component of a project) as these would not normally be viewed as non-substantive changes. Please submit reporting forms and/or contact the IRB Office with any questions by email.
The Office of Research’s Corey Hines, Karen Hecox Honored for Excellence and Dedication
WSU recently recognized two outstanding Office of Research staff for their exception service. In March, Corey Hines, director of the Nuclear Science Center, was honored with the Crimson Spirit Recognition award, which honors individual employees who provide exceptional service and exceed expectations while representing WSU to internal or external stakeholders. On April 23, Karen Hecox, was presented with the 2025 Administrative Professional Contribution Award.
WSU Office of Commercialization Showcases Innovation and leadership at AUTM Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
WSU’s Office of Commercialization (WSU OC) left their mark on Washington, D.C., at the annual meeting for the Association of University Tech Transfer Managers (AUTM) in March. Jeremy Tamsen, director of the Office of Commercialization, and technology licensing associates Deah McGaughey, Karin Biggs, and Punam Dalai participated in a week of education, community, and advocacy aimed at turning academic research into public good. High points included meeting with professionals from across the United States and world, discussing challenges and learning from the successes of our peers. WSU’s positive reputation and impact were evident as the team met proud alumni, parents, and friends of Cougs during the conference.
Tamsen remarked that the industry is remarkably collegial and collaborative, which builds a culture of collaboration with other institutions. Biggs was particularly impressed with the bipartisan political support for technology transfer. Likewise, Dalai acknowledged the fantastic opportunity to meet other AUTM members in-person to share experiences related to the technology transfer.
McGaughey was awarded the Volunteer Service Award for her work in the AUTM Mentorship Program. During her time with the mentorship program, participation has nearly doubled, and enthusiasm is high. McGaughey also represented WSU’s strong history in agricultural innovation as part of panel on introducing new plant varietals to the public. When asked about her work with AUTM, she mentioned that the field is remarkably welcoming, helpful, and mission-driven, much like WSU.
Overall, the Office of Commercialization is proud to represent innovation at WSU on the national stage. They return to campus energized, enthusiastic, and ready to help introduce WSU research to the world.