UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Clint Schmidt has been named as the senior director of Penn State’s newly established Research Security program. Schmidt currently serves as director of the Conflict of Interest program in the University’s Office of Research Protections, a position he has held since 2017. His new title will be Senior Director of Research Security and Conflict of Interest.
The establishment of the Research Security program is a response to evolving federal guidelines addressing increased research security challenges related to foreign affiliations. Specifically, National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33) issued in January 2021 directs federal agencies to strengthen protections for federally sponsored research, outlining expanded disclosure and reporting obligations and mandating that all research institutions with over $50 million in federal research funding institute a research security program.
At Penn State, a Task Force on International Security and Compliance formed in response to the federal guidelines submitted its recommendations to the provost in June 2021.
“Open scientific and scholarly collaboration among scholars from around the world is one of the cornerstones of innovation, scholarly achievement, and technological advancement, and Penn State remains committed to fostering these collaborations,” said Lora Weiss, senior vice president for Research. “We also recognize the importance of following federal guidelines, and we are resolved to take the necessary steps to better protect the security and integrity of the University’s research enterprise,” she added.
“The Research Security program is intended to be a resource to help faculty navigate the new and changing requirements,” Weiss said. “Having a single point of contact will help minimize the burdens on faculty as best as possible.”
“We’re here to help ease any added administrative burden,” Schmidt said. “Our job is to provide clear guidance, make processes more efficient and transparent, and make compliance easier. I want faculty and other researchers to feel comfortable coming to me with any questions they may have.”
In addition to being the central point of contact for research security questions, Schmidt is charged with coordinating the collaborative efforts of other University units involved in matters related to research security, including the offices of Export Control, Sponsored Programs, General Counsel, Global Programs, and Information Security.
As the program continues to be defined in alignment with changing federal guidance, Schmidt said, immediate next steps will include the development of common tools and other resources and the establishment of a Research Security Advisory Board, as well as continued implementation of both federal guidance and the recommendations of the Task Force. The federal Office of Science and Technology Policy has released implementation guidance for NSPM-33, and is working with professional organizations to explore tools such as a common curriculum vitae and a digital persistent identifier.
“With his extensive experience in research administration, his understanding of conflict-of-interest issues and regulations as well as the evolving federal landscape, and his knowledge of Penn State’s collaborative research culture, Clint Schmidt is the right person to lead our Research Security program,” said Candice Yekel, associate vice president for Research and director of the Office of Research Protections. “We’re very pleased that he has agreed to take on this important role.”
Schmidt’s professional experience includes 18 years in university research administration, including 12 at Penn State, where he has worked in conflict of interest. Prior to Penn State, he spent six years at Harvard Medical School, where he worked in the areas of sponsored programs and human and animal subjects research.
Schmidt serves on the steering committee for the Association of American Medical Colleges Forum on Conflict of Interest. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in archaeology from Boston University and his juris doctorate from Temple Law School.