October 2025

In this issue

Research highlights  |  Innovation spotlight  |  New awards  |  Unsung heroes
Faculty kudos  |  Research development  |  Nuts & bolts  |  Upcoming events

Elaina Sutley, associate professor of civil, environmental & architectural engineering and associate dean for impact & belonging in the School of Engineering, is KU’s first-ever laureate of the prize — one of the country’s most significant recognitions for early-career researchers. 

Brian Laird, professor of chemistry, was named to the prestigious American Physical Society Fellowship Program shortly after learning a former collaborator won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. 

Eric Rath, professor of history, explores the evolution of Japanese sake from homebrew to flavored varieties, while tracing its cultural significance and global rise, in his new book, “Kanpai: The History of Sake.” It is the first such history published in the English language. 

David Slusky, professor of economics, was one of 16 experts chosen by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to convene state-of-the-science workshops and prepare a report on "cumulative impact assessments" for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

By studying the minute detail of how amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, affects speech rhythm, Panying Rong, associate professor of speech-language-hearing, hopes to improve personalized treatment.   

Deanna Hanson-Abromeit, professor of music therapy and researcher at the Life Span Institute, evaluates music-based interventions to improve the practice of music therapy.

The KU Center for Technology Commercialization is KU's technology transfer office and a One KU unit, supporting innovators across all of our campuses.

We're pleased to share our FY 2025 Annual Report, which highlights key achievements, ongoing initiatives, and efforts to make innovation and commercialization more approachable. We invite you to browse the report to see how the work of you and your colleagues is driving KU's innovation story forward.

And please follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected with KU innovation news, success stories and opportunities.

KU researchers are studying the molecular roots of Alzheimer’s disease, expanding access to pollinating insect data, developing adjuvants for Lyme disease vaccines, evaluating signage in public parks, and more — all with the aid of external funding awarded in September.     

Behind every successful award are teams of KU research support staff who help investigators identify opportunities, prepare and submit complicated proposals under strict deadlines, help manage finances and compliance for funded projects, and more. They are the unsung heroes of KU research, greasing the wheels of innovation and discovery.

In each issue of KU Discoveries, we shine a spotlight on a research support staff member deemed particularly outstanding by colleagues. Click or tap the button below this month's story to nominate a deserving candidate from any unit on campus.

Bob Szrot & Rhett Caviel | Research Compliance Officers | Office of Research

Potential conflicts of interest arise frequently in university settings, often as part of legitimate professional activities that are supported and encouraged by KU. The key to managing these conflicts is transparency. Two Office of Research staff members work with faculty and research staff to make this process go smoothly.

Bob Szrot and Rhett Caviel are both research compliance officers. Szrot has worked in the Research Integrity unit in the Office of Research for 10 years; Caviel joined him 3 years ago. Both are responsible for reviewing annual, ad hoc and research-related disclosure certifications. Every year, about 5,000 university members are required to disclose.

“Both Bob and Rhett spend significant time following up on compliance with disclosure requirements, including personally contacting individuals and patiently helping people navigate the online system,” said Susan MacNally, director of research integrity.

Beyond managing the annual reporting process, Szrot and Caviel also work with colleagues across the university in other ways. They provide background on external activity requests for the Office of Faculty Affairs and prepare extensive materials for review by KU’s Conflict of Interest Committee, particularly on situations that may require management. Szrot and Caviel also facilitate review by the Faculty Senate Restricted Research Committee of restricted research exemption applications.

“The thoroughness and thoughtfulness of Bob and Rhett are crucial to effecting a COI disclosure and management process that is fair, provides sufficient oversight without over-reaching, and preserves the key values, resources and integrity of the university and its community members,” MacNally said.

The disclosure process can be daunting or frustrating to some faculty who are in demand for consulting and other external professional activities. These researchers sometimes need additional encouragement and support to disclose. Szrot and Caviel handle these situations with professionalism and personability.

“Bob projects a professional and respectful demeanor; he strives to deliver appropriate and knowledgeable guidance,” MacNally said. “While less talkative, Rhett is perhaps more relaxed and open in his communication style — although he is no less attentive to the policy structure under which we operate. Perhaps that’s a nod to his years of experience assuring compliance with athletics regulations. Each has a distinct and engaging sense of humor. If you haven’t had the chance to mingle with Bob or Rhett, I hope you will get the opportunity soon.”

Higuchi-KU Endowment Research Achievement Awards

These awards recognize tenured faculty members for their accomplishments in research, scholarship and creative activity in the fields of arts, humanities and social sciences; basic sciences; biomedical sciences; and applied sciences. Faculty from any Kansas Regents institution are eligible. 

Amount: $10K | Deadline: Dec. 1

Steven F. Warren Research Achievement Award 

This award honors an outstanding unclassified academic staff researcher on the KU-Lawrence campus who has had significant influence in their field and/or a productive record of important research that has expanded intellectual or societal insights. 

Amount: $10K | Deadline: Dec. 1

KU Research Staff & Postdoctoral Achievement Awards 

The Staff Achievement Award and the Postdoctoral Achievement Award are intended to recognize the numerous contributions of unclassified professional staff and postdoctoral researchers to the research mission of KU, honoring outstanding individuals who have had a tangible impact on the research labs and projects in which they work. 

Amount: $5K | Deadline: Dec. 1

University of Kansas faculty members on any KU campus looking to increase their chances of securing funding from the National Institutes of Health or the National Science Foundation CAREER program are invited to attend upcoming seminars associated with KU's NSF CAREER and NIH Grant Writing Workshops.

Brought to you by the KU Office of Research and the KU School of Journalism & Mass Communications, these seminars will cover key aspects of the proposal preparation process.

Remaining NSF CAREER workshop seminars:

Remaining NIH workshop seminars:

Learn more about the presenters and preview the spring seminar schedule on the Research Development Training + Resources webpage.

GENERAL

To help protect the KU Center for Research from potential fraud and ensure proper account management, all KUCR p-cards that have not been used for a purchase since 2023 are being closed.

If your card has been closed and you or your department need a new p-card for purchases, please complete the p-card form on the Finance Service Portal.

Thank you for helping us maintain secure and compliant financial practices.

RESEARCH INTEGRITY

The Final Friday Human Research Ethics series is in full swing for the fall semester. August and September sessions provided an introduction to KU's IRB and an overview of consent best practices, respectively. Please join us for the final fall session in October:

Each one-hour session begins at 11:30 a.m.

RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION

Congratulations to the newest crop of Certified Research Administrators and Certified Pre-Award Research Administrators at KU:

The Research Administrators Certification Council grants the Certified Research Administrator (CRA) and Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA) credentials to candidates who meet the required criteria and pass rigorous qualifying exams. Most candidates spend several months preparing for the exams. Nancy Cayton Myers, research development officer in the Institute for Policy & Social Research, is the only person at KU to hold the CPRA credential.

Questions? Comments? Content suggestions?
Mindie Paget  |  Office of Research  |  mpaget@ku.edu

KU Office of Research
Strong Hall | 1450 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045

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