UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Office for Research Protections (ORP) announced multiple, related structure changes to their leadership and programs. In recent months, the ORP has taken on responsibility for the Export Control compliance program, previously in the Office of Ethics and Compliance. In addition, the purview of the Conflict of Interest (COI) and Commitment program and staff has expanded to serve the entire University.   

Additionally, both Rachel Lally, executive director of the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), and Clint Schmidt, executive director of the Research Security Program and the Conflict of Interest program, have been promoted to assistant vice presidents for research. Lally will oversee the HRPP, the Animal Care and Use Program and the Research Safety Program. She will continue to directly support the HRPP as executive director while the hiring search is underway. Schmidt will oversee the COI and Commitment program, the Research Security Program and the Export Control program, and will continue to provide direct support as the hiring searches proceed.  

“We understand that strong support units are fundamental to the researcher and sponsor experience, and I’m pleased to have Rachel and Clint in these positions of leadership to guide these important programs,” said Andrew Read, Penn State’s senior vice president for research. 

The Export Control program — which develops, implements and enforces University policies, procedures and guidelines designed to facilitate compliance with federal export compliance laws with regards to educational, research and administrative operations of Penn State —  has transitioned to the ORP as part of the Research Security Program, which is aimed at fostering open global collaboration while protecting security interests of the United States.  

“The University has seen a growing number of compliance responsibilities that fit within this program area and giving them one compliance ‘home’ makes good sense for the University,” said Debra Thurley, associate vice president for research and director of the ORP.  A search is underway for an export control officer.  

The COI and Commitment program, which manages all financial interest disclosures for the University’s teaching faculty, research community and administrative officials, now serves the University across the commonwealth. The program also maintains individual and institutional conflict of interest policies, guidelines and procedures to comply with federal regulations.  

“Leadership at the ORP, along with leadership at the College of Medicine, identified an opportunity for increasing efficiency and making staff more agile in responding to fluctuations in workloads by integrating the COI program across sites,” Schmidt said.  

Previously, the College of Medicine maintained a separate office for managing research-related conflicts under policy RP06; with this change, the program within the ORP now serves the whole University. While the administration has been streamlined, there will continue to be two COI committees: one serving the College of Medicine and one serving University Park and the Commonwealth Campuses. The Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee, which has always served the entire University, remains unchanged.