Over the last year, the Office for Research Development has made a lot of progress, streamlining support for Indiana University researchers. I am thrilled to join the team as the director for research and faculty development, partnering with faculty to cultivate research from initial concepts to fully realized, competitive programs.

Mike Famiano.During my time as a federal program manager in the Department of Energy’s Office of Science and as a department chair in the physics department at Western Michigan University, I have seen research progress as an international researcher on both sides of the federal funding landscape. I am very excited to bring the lessons I’ve learned in those roles to IU.

This is a world-class research institution driven by curiosity, creativity and impact. My goal is to build on that excellence by first doing a lot of listening and then responding accordingly to ensure faculty have the tools, resources and support to push boundaries, secure funding, and make discoveries that change the world. My first weeks at IU have been a whirlwind tour, and it is clear I’ve only begun to scratch the surface of IU’s research potential.

I have had the pleasure of working with some of the greatest minds in the world from a variety of disciplines at all stages of their research careers. I am overjoyed to continue this work at IU. In my short time at IU, I have had the privilege of providing insight to an early career biologist seeking a prestigious grant, discussing tips and tricks with an aspiring Fulbright fellow, and working to bring teams together to develop a crosscutting project to study applications of quantum sensors in medicine – and we are just getting started.

One key area I’m focused on is faculty development. I work with faculty to create new research programs, grow existing programs or switch directions. This may take the form of workshops, mentoring programs, webinars, departmental visits or a variety of other events. As a former faculty member, I understand the drive to succeed in research and creative activities, and I am committed to sharing my expertise and experience with faculty at any point in their research journeys to achieve whatever goals they have in mind, and to bringing outside experts to campus to expand access to knowledge. Creative success is at the forefront of my thinking, and I’m working to ensure that faculty are recognized for their efforts.

I manage a suite of internal awards facilitated by the Office for Research Development. This dynamic portfolio is set up to address the unique and sometimes urgent needs of researchers. Faculty seeking their first grant or starting a new project may utilize some of the seed funding that we provide. Resources are available for faculty who are between grants or resubmitting grant proposals. Funds are also provided for new and emerging frontiers, and the occasional one-time awards for topics of broad interest.

Some of the grant proposals stewarded by the Office for Research Development are limited submission, meaning the funder limits the number of submissions they will review from any one organization, including IU. In this case, I work with faculty and other IU Research academic leaders to select the most competitive proposal based on the funders’ requirements, and then with the selected PI to perfect the proposals in advance of submission, working to maximize success across-the-board and particularly for prestigious awards.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such talented and dedicated faculty, and I’m excited to be part of IU’s vibrant research community. Don’t be surprised if, in the upcoming months, you get a call from me asking for a lab tour, gallery visit or cup of coffee. Expect many questions as I seek to understand your needs and aspirations to help fine-tune or create new mechanisms for support.

My office is flexible, energetic and poised to do what it takes to ensure that research at IU remains world-class and associated with well-deserved recognition and rewards. I encourage you to reach out and discuss how I can be of service.

Mike Famiano is the director for research and faculty development in the Office for Research Development at Indiana University.