Research Notes

Research information from the Office of the Vice President for Research for Brown faculty, grant-related staff, and students

A large-scale satellite mapping project, co-founded by Brown researcher Parker VanValkenburgh, is helping archaeologists identify sweeping climate and cultural changes that occurred in the Andes Mountains over the last millennium. Read the recent news story.

Extended - Research Achievement Award Nomination Deadline: Jan. 29, 9 a.m.

Research Achievement Awards recognize outstanding faculty research. In 2024, Mid-Career and Early Career Awards will be offered in the humanities and social sciences, physical sciences, life sciences and public health, and to hospital-based research faculty. Nominations (via UFunds) are due by 9 a.m. on Jan. 29.

Technology Innovations

BTI wins Most Impactful Program award
BTI won Venture Café Providence’s 2023 Most Impactful Program award for its successful inaugural Innovation Showcase event, which was attended by nearly 300 investors, academic researchers, and entrepreneurs.

Brown signs exclusive license agreement with Startup AtomICs, Inc.
AtomICs, a data storage and processing startup founded by former graduate students Dana Biechele-Speziale and Selahaddin Gumus, Brenda Rubenstein (Chemistry), and Jacob Rosenstein (Engineering), uses a novel patented technique to harness small molecule mixtures to store digital information.

Startup founder Derek Stein named a Top 25 CEO of Rhode Island
Key Executives named Brown professor Derek Stein (Physics) one of The Top 25 CEOs of Rhode Island for 2023. Adept Materials, founded by Stein, has developed an eco-friendly two-layer system of directional moisture control for use in construction, health care, and apparel.

FluxBrain accepted into the Nucleate Activator Program
Biotech masters student Nancy Tran, in collaboration with Chris Moore, was accepted into the Nucleate Activator program for their startup in development, FluxBrain. FluxBrain is developing innovative approaches for controlling permeability of the blood-brain barrier for drug delivery applications.

[SAVE THE DATE] Are you curious about start-ups?
Join us for Faculty Entrepreneur Connect to meet entrepreneurially minded faculty. Our next session features Jason Harry, professor of the practice of technology and entrepreneurship, speaking on faculty roles in spinout companies. Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. at the Nelson Center.

Brown researchers named to 2023 Highly Cited Researchers list
Brown faculty and inventor, George Karniadakis (Applied Mathematics and Engineering) has been named by Clarivate Analytics to the 2023 Highly Cited Researchers list. Brown researchers Kenneth Mayer (Bio Med/Medicine) and Shouheng Sun (Chemistry) also made the list.

Research Integrity

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
If you work with or may receive CUI, please review our CUI page on our website and contact the Export Control Team to discuss next steps. The receipt of CUI requires a Brown approved CUI Control Plan.

Laboratory inspection preparation
The QA/QI Animal Program Manager has developed "Tips for a Successful Laboratory" to help you prepare for your upcoming inspection.

Huron tip: Where's the "Submit" button?
Only PIs and PI Proxies can submit in Huron. Without a “Submit” button, submissions stay in “Pre-Submission” and will not continue for review. Use the guidance “How to Add a PI Proxy” on the HRPP Huron website for more information.

Meeting dates & submission deadlines

Research Strategy and Development

January is joining month
Are there societies/associations you might join that would expand your scholarly network? Contact Susan Weiner to discuss your ideas. Societies and associations in your field offer various honorific awards that increase visibility for you and your department and acknowledge your scholarly contributions and service to the profession.

Proposal development assistance: Quad charts and white papers to mission-driven agencies
ORSD is offering limited opportunities to work with an external consultant company to develop and refine quad charts and white papers for mission-driven agencies (DoD, DoE, NASA, ARPA). Interested? Please register here. This has a rolling deadline, closing on Feb. 29.

Assessing quality in community-engaged scholarship, Jan. 30, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Join nationally recognized scholar Emily Janke for a presentation on how to align academic work with institutional and community priorities, talents, and values. Sponsored by the Swearer Center with OVPR and the Sheridan Center. More information and registration here.

ARPA-H releases new funding programs
New opportunities include “Health Care Rewards to Achieve Improved Outcomes (HEROES).” Considering submitting to one of the many newly released ARPA-H opportunities? Please reach out to ORSD for assistance including strategic planning, agency intelligence, pre-proposal, or quad chart preparation.

New ORSD Colleague 
Trisha Bailey, PhD, a seasoned research scientist with extensive project management and leadership experience, has joined ORSD! Trisha will be working with faculty in the School of Engineering and the Physical Sciences on their proposal development efforts. Please reach out to Trisha if you are considering applying for federal funding opportunities. 

Research Agreements and Contracting

New RAC colleague
Vanessa Sherman, formerly with Brown’s HRPP team, has joined RAC! Vanessa will initially be focusing her time on Data Use Agreements, so please feel free to include her when submitting DUA requests to our office.

Research Communications

Impact: Research at Brown has a new home
Impact: Research at Brown magazine is online! Devoted solely to the University’s research, Impact tells the stories of Brown faculty and students making a difference in the world through their research, discovery, and scholarship.

Highlight your research achievements on @BrownUResearch social media
Promote your research or award and share your accomplishments with a broader audience. Fill out the Brown Research/Award Submission form and we'll follow up with social media posts on Instagram, Twitter/X, and threads. 

Request photo/video coverage
To request research-related photo or video coverage (faculty or student researchers, events, field or lab work, classroom activities, presentations, etc.) please fill out the Research Related Photo/Video Coverage Request form.