As many of you know, Nikki Simmons, Director for Contracts in OSP, is leaving Emory to relocate with her family to another state.  For this reason, I have been working closely with Kerry Peluso and Todd Sherer over the past few weeks to consider potential changes in the structure for managing industry contracts.  Given the continued strong, national interest in academic & industry partnering at all levels, we have decided to change the reporting line for our industry contracting group to the Office of Technology Transfer.  This will better align our industry contract negotiations, both clinical and non-clinical, with OTT’s focused outreach to companies looking to partner with Emory.

The industry contracting function will continue to utilize the same processes it has in the past for working with RAS units, Office for Clinical Research, IRB, and other University units.  OSP and OTT will work closely to share relevant knowledge and resources so that the change will be seamless.  I fully expect the teams from both offices to work collaboratively to assure that our researchers can receive the support they need.  In short, there will NOT be any change in the way a PI submits a contract or in the way the funds are administered.  OTT will continue the commitment to reduce turn-around-time on industry contracts while aligning these relationships with parallel efforts to partner with companies through out-licensing, materials transfer agreements, corporate visits, and such.  Cale Lennon has assumed direct oversight of this group effective June 1st.

Non-industry contracts will continue to be managed through OSP and will report directly to Holly Sommers.  Over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to assess the infrastructure to assure it is hitting the anticipated marks and to make any adjustments, if necessary.

Please feel free to contact the contracts staff, Cale Lennon, or me if you have any questions about this change.

David L. Wynes, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research Administration
Emory University