Indiana University Indianapolis’ emerging Convergent Bioscience and Technology Institute has hired an experienced research and grant development professional to help execute the institute’s strategic plans.

Amie Frame. Photo by Liz Kaye, Indiana UniversityIU alumna Amie Frame started as managing director in January; she will coordinate activities across multiple schools and units, and manage large grants and contracts. The institute, part of a $250 million investment from IU to advance scientific discoveries aimed at curing and treating diseases and improving human health, drives interdisciplinary research and collaboration to achieve innovative discoveries.

“Amie combines deep familiarity with IU’s research environment from her prior work here with national-level experience in federal grants consulting and complex proposal development,” institute Executive Director Chia-Ying “James” Lin said.

“She has a strong track record supporting principal investigators and multidisciplinary teams through demanding projects, and she’s known for being steady under pressure, highly organized and an excellent communicator,” he added. “In short, she understands both IU’s internal realities and the external expectations of agencies and industry, and she’s very good at translating between those worlds to help teams succeed.”

Lin said the Convergent Bioscience and Technology Institute is intended as a hub that links sensing, smart implantables, molecular assessments and translational drug and device development, and ties that into IU LAB and partners such as Cook Medical and Eli Lilly and Company. The institute will be housed in the STEM Lab Building that is under construction and expected to be ready in the fall.

Having a managing director is important for the institute’s growth, Lin said. He described the role as a senior administrative and operational leader, and trusted point of contact, who will be his primary partner in turning the institute’s strategic vision into reality.

Frame, who has more than 15 years of experience leading funding efforts and research programs involving academic institutions and large healthcare systems, said she is excited to return to IU and help the Convergent Bioscience and Technology Institute accomplish great things.

“It is important for me to return home, to IU, to support my colleagues — both new and those I have supported in the past — in navigating the complexities of securing research funding to advance research that can benefit my community,” Frame said.

She said her experience with the entire grant process — from identifying opportunities to building relationships, shepherding grant submissions and post-award work — has prepared her well for the role with the institute.

Frame has successfully secured funding from all major federal organizations — including the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Defense and National Science Foundation — as well as foundation and state opportunities.

Her experience includes assisting university research faculty with writing and editing grant applications and associated presentations, plus producing marketing materials for both the research and business sectors.

Frame earned two degrees from IU: a bachelor’s in biology from the Bloomington campus and a Master of Public Health from the IU School of Medicine.

She has worked for IU in a variety of research and development capacities with IU oncology clinicals, the Office of Research Compliance, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the IU Innovation and Commercialization Office.

Frame also worked at the Regenstrief Institute, a research partner with IU, as program manager for five years. She provided strategic leadership for federally and locally funded research initiatives, overseeing grant development, compliance, research implementation, data collection and dissemination across a project portfolio including social behavioral research and clinical trials.

Most recently, Frame worked at McAllister & Quinn, a Washington, D.C.-based grants consulting and government relations firm, where she served as managing director since December 2022. In that role, Frame managed a large client grant application portfolio of health and academic institutions and guided strategic development for clients.

Frame said she wants to raise awareness of the Convergent Bioscience and Technology Institute and her role. She also plans to familiarize herself with how IU has adapted to federal-level changes to the research landscape over the past three years.

“I look forward to learning more about the university’s recent research activities and future goals, how these efforts align with federal priorities and funding opportunities, and the ways CBATI can support these initiatives,” she said.

Kirk Johannesen is an internal communications writer for the Office of the Vice President for Communications and Marketing.