About Us
Through its many offices, labs, centers, and institutes, the Office of Research leads, supports, and encourages research across every college and campus at Washington State University. The OR strategically builds systems and processes that foster innovation and discovery at WSU.
Our Mission
Read about the mission, vision, values, and responsibilities that drive us every day to excellence.
Our Leadership
Meet the executive team of the Office of Research, as well as WSU’s Research Council.
Annual Reports
Learn about past research highlights through each year’s Annual Report.
Our Offices, Labs, Centers, and Institutes
The Office of Research (OR) is a constellation of six primary offices and many supporting labs, centers, and institutes. Each office provides particular expertise in different aspects of research support.
Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships (ORAP)
ORAP provides support for research initiatives and infrastructure; stimulates faculty collaborations; creates a culture of productive grant writing; and increases funding success by assisting with the development of grant proposals. Led by Kim Christen, ORAP works closely with faculty, government relations and external stakeholders to advance the research enterprise and support the full range of research and creative activities systemwide. ORAP also oversees Office of Research supported Centers, providing fiscal support and management.
Office of Research Support and Operations (ORSO)
ORSO reviews and submits grant proposals, leads award and non-monetary agreement negotiations and related compliance, provides training, and oversees data reporting operations. Additionally, they provide support for Office of Research activities related to the ONEWSU. Under the leadership of Dan Nordquist, ORSO offers tools to guide faculty through administrative processes and keeps researchers informed about federal, state, funder-specific, and WSU policies and guidelines governing research conduct.
Office of Research Assurances (ORA)
ORA supports and promotes safe, secure, and ethical research practices at WSU. Led by Mike Kluzik, ORA helps manage the University’s research compliance and integrity programs and administers the Presidential committees that oversee research with animals, biological agents, humans, and radiation. ORA also provides hazardous materials shipping services, administers the export control program, and helps promote research security.
Office of Campus Veterinarian (OCV)
OCV oversees the health and welfare of animals used at WSU and administers high-level care to animals across the WSU system. OCV provides a complete range of services including veterinary care, vivarium services, training and research, and safety support while assuring compliance with federal, state, and local guidelines for laboratory animal care. OCV Director Nina Woodford is the WSU Attending Veterinarian and serves on the Institutional Animal Care and Use and Institutional Biosafety Committees.
Office of Commercialization (OC)
OC supports faculty and student efforts to translate research discoveries into innovations ready for the marketplace. Led by Scott Steiger and Denise Keeton, OC is responsible for the evaluation, protection, and commercialization of innovations and discoveries for the expansion of WSU’s public impact. OC facilitates productive collaborations based on WSU intellectual property by bridging the gap between the researchers, their discoveries, and industry partners or start-ups.
Office of National Laboratory Partnerships (ONLP)
ONLP enhances WSU external visibility and research partnerships with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories for Ph.D. students and faculty in mutually strategic areas within energy and the environment. Led by Jonathan Male, ONLP’s predominant partnership is with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), enabling collaborative research in three Joint Institutes: the Advanced Grid, Bioproducts, and Nuclear Science and Technology.
Labs, Centers, and Institutes
The Office of Research supports several research groups, including the Nuclear Science Center (NSC); the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC); the Center for Environmental Research, Education and Outreach (CEREO); and many more.