A recent Heersink School of Medicine survey and other campus assessments highlighted concerns regarding issues with UAB Research Administration that must be resolved if we are to continue our growth in impactful research.
Thanks to all for sharing honest feedback about the sources of frustration and suggestions for improvement. Many valid concerns were expressed, and we recognize the challenges they create for the research community. As the VP for Research I recognize that there is a great deal that I and our professional staff can and will do – in collaboration with the campus community – to resolve these important issues.
Please know that the UAB Office of Research staff are dedicated professionals and your colleagues who strive to provide excellent service. If there are concerns with the service we provide, we want to know it and want to know your ideas on how we can make things better. We appreciate suggestions for how we can improve our program to facilitate your work.
Please follow the link below to find more details on IRAP, OSP, IRB, and additional resources.
Most sincerely,
Chris Brown, PhD
Vice President for Research
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IRAP
Many of the concerns were expressed about IRAP, including – among other concerns – that it is duplicative/redundant with other systems; difficult to navigate; hard to track the status of projects; not user-friendly; and it times out often.
We are addressing these issues in the following ways:
- UAB is assessing electronic research administration system options and expects to identify a solution in FY23; full implementation will take approximately 24-30 months. The solution will eliminate manual, paper processes, provide useful status updates, and improve efficiency overall.
- While this process is taking place, we are working with the Office of Information Technology and our current vendor to identify solutions and patches to problems as they arise.
- Online training courses – IRAP Basics Training and IRAP Training Catalog
- Individual and group IRAP help sessions
- To reach Research Technology and Communications (RTC) with IRAP concerns:
- Website: uab.edu/research/home/rtc
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Telephone: (205) 975-IRAP (4727)
In the meantime, below are resources available to facilitate the use of IRAP while we work to improve it:
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Office of Sponsored Programs
Concerns shared included, among others: process inefficiencies; coordination with other offices; responsiveness to researcher issues; staffing levels, workload and morale; and international travel approval.
We are addressing these issues in the following ways:
- We are in the midst of a national search for an Associate Vice President for Research and Executive Director of Sponsored Programs. We anticipate completion of this search in mid-to late March.
- Interim AVP Mike Matthews and OSP leadership will continue to institute organizational changes to address responsiveness to investigator inquiries, are hiring and training additional staff focused on clinical trials and are in the initial stages of implementing processes and systems that will streamline communications.
- With regard to electronic and verbal communications, we pledge to do our part to create an environment of respect in order to address issues of concern.
- To ensure we are available to answer questions from investigators and research administrators, OSP will continue to hold monthly “virtual office hours” in 2023. These have not been widely attended, so if there are ways to make these more accessible please let us know. For now, look for email notifications and Research Matters announcements for scheduling.
- For better OSP and IRB coordination, the Project Registration/Single Identifier process has been established to streamline submissions to OSP, OIRB and CBR. OSP no longer waits for IRB approval to approve industry and non-profit agreements, and At Risk/Pending Accounts are created at the OSP submission stage for industry agreements.
- The UAB International Travel Registration process was updated effective August 1, 2022, to provide a single electronic form that routes automatically and eliminates the need for a separate PDF form. The role of OSP is not to approve international travel but to verify that the funds identified are appropriate.
There are resources available to the research community that may provide answers to specific questions:
- OSP Virtual Training Courses
- OSP Training Videos
- OSP FAQs
- To reach the Office of Sponsored Programs with questions or concerns:
- Website: uab.edu/research/home/osp
- Find Your OSP Officer Tool
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Telephone: 205-934-5266
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Office of the Institutional Review Board
Concerns shared included inefficiencies, inconsistency in reviews, and lack of coordination between offices (IRB, OSP and CIRB).
We are addressing these concerns in the following ways:
- The OIRB has instituted accountability through metrics reporting at UAB forums such as the Human Research Advisory Committee (HRAC) and Clinical Trials Administration Committee (CTAC). These metrics are posted on the RAPID website.
- The OIRB worked with an external partner to facilitate a reduction of the backlog of submissions caused by internal staffing issues.
- The OIRB encourages the use of single IRB or other external, commercial IRBs (outside of our regular WIRB partner), as appropriate.
- The OIRB is working with the HRAC and other central units to identify and implement process improvements for a variety of functions. A few current initiatives include guidance for use of social media, electronic signatures to document informed consent, and coordination with other offices for IRB review of data use agreements, subcontracts, and university contracts.
- The IRB holds virtual office hours to serve as an opportunity for anyone in the UAB research community to have direct access to an experienced OIRB staff member. Office hours are held bi-weekly on Thursdays.
- To reach the Office of the IRB with questions or concerns:
- Website: uab.edu/research/home/irb
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Telephone: (205) 934-3789
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Research Resources for UAB Investigators
In addition to the links above, here are others designed to help researchers find funding, access resources for lab data management, navigate the required regulatory aspects of projects, maintain a safe environment, and provide information on other topics relevant to the UAB research community. If there are additional topics you would find useful, please let us know.
- Grant Development Continuum Toolkit
- Research Funding Opportunities (Pivot-RP)
- Dimensions – Research analytics tool
- 2023 NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy Guide
- NIH Other Support Resources Page
- Lab Archives – Electronic Lab Notebook
- Industry Sponsored Clinical Trials Resources
- Clinical Protocol Activation Process (CPAP)
- IRB Training
- IRB Guidebook for Investigators
- Additional IRB Guidance Documents
- IRB E-Portfolio training, tip sheets, and FAQs
- IRB Policies and Procedures
- Common IRB Submission Problems to Avoid
- OCIRB Training
- IACUC Training
- Export Control Training
- Animal Resources Program (ARP) Training
- Material Transfer Office (MTO) Training Videos
- Research Safety Training
- OSP Grant Submission Process
Identification of Opportunities
- Dimensions
- PIVOT
- SPIN/SMART (Accessible in IRAP)
- Research Matters Weekly Newsletter
- Pilot Announcements (Research Development)
- The Implementation Group (TIG)
Scientific Development & Grant Assembly
- GRIT 3.0 – Grant Writing Intensive
- School & Department based resources such as templates for budgets, timelines, etc.
- CCTS Clinical Research Support Program (for trial applications)
- CCTS Innovation Panels (I-Panels)
- Scientific Writers (mostly for hire)
- For SBIR/STTR awards: SBA workshops
Proposal Review (pre-submission)
- CCTS Panels Program
- School & Department based pre-award review resources
- TIG
- NCATS’ Trial Innovation Center (for trial applications)
December 3, 2021
Call for Nominations –
Director of the UAB Comprehensive Neuroscience Center (CNC)
A University-Wide Interdisciplinary Research Center (UWIRC) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
Overview of CNC Research and Resources
The UAB Comprehensive Neuroscience Center (CNC) is a network of UAB Neuroscience research faculty, clinicians, staff, students, and trainees with an interest in the neurosciences. As of 2021, CNC membership has grown to 557, with 179 faculty from 9 schools and 40 departments, with the remaining being research associates, postdocs, students, and staff. CNC serves as a focal point for fundamental, translational, and clinical neuroscience research at UAB.
Composition & Leadership
The CNC was established as a pilot UWIRC in 2006 and achieved full center status in 2009. Committees providing guidance to the CNC leadership consist of an External Review Committee (three faculty from other universities), Internal Review Committee (three UAB faculty), an Executive Committee (chairs of neuroscience-related UAB departments), and the CNC Leadership Council, comprised of the leaders of each of the 9 pillars of neuroscience research interests.
In the past 5 years, the CNC neuroscience network has expanded beyond the UAB campus to include members at Southern Research, Auburn University, University of Alabama, and University of South Alabama. The CNC is part of the Alabama Advanced Neuroimaging Consortium (AAIC), which was co-founded by the CNC and the Auburn Imaging Center.
Vision, Mission & Research Pillars
The efforts of the CNC are guided by our Vision “A world where the mysteries of the nervous system are solved.” We strive to achieve this vision through our Mission “To accelerate discovery by promoting excellence in fundamental, translational, and clinical neuroscience research, education, and clinical care through integrating the UAB-wide neuroscience community.” Within that mission, the CNC has fostered a pillar structure to facilitate effective cross-disciplinary collaboration among clusters of faculty focused on similar or complementary research.
Research themes include:
- Substance Use Disorders
- Circadian Rhythms
- Cognition and Cognitive Disorders
- Epilepsy
- Glial Biology
- Mental Illness
- Neurodegeneration
- Neuroengineering, Neuroimaging & Neuromodulation
- Pain
The CNC supports faculty recruitment for neurosciences at UAB. Each faculty recruit is encouraged to engage with the CNC and if hired, to be appointed faculty with the UWIRC CNC.
CNC Cores
The objective of the CNC Cores are to provide state-of-the-art equipment and technical support for experimental projects using animal models in neuroscience research. By sharing technical expertise, equipment, facilities, and professional staff, these Cores facilitate cross-project collaborations among different CNC laboratories.
- Digital upright brightfield and fluorescence microscope for automated stereology (Zeiss AxioImager with StereoInvestigator)
- Image Analysis Workstations (Imaris, NeuroLucida, StereoInvestigator)
- In vivo “miniscope” imaging and surgery suite (Inscopix)
- In vivo Fiber-Optic Confocal system (Leica FCM1000)
- Video-EEG Monitoring Laboratory
- Molecular Biology
- BioRad "Gene-Gun" for biolistic transfection and fluorescence labeling of adherent cells and slices (neurons, glia)
- Tissue culture room, cDNA plasmid expansion
- Optogenetics
- Blue and yellow LEDs with bare fiber optic for in vitro slices (Plexon)
- Blue and yellow LEDs with fiber optic launch for cannulas and commutator for in vivo behaving rodents (Plexon)
Grants in Preparation (GRiP)
This program offers grant writers an opportunity to have free access to pre-review to increase the level of competitiveness of proposals submitted by UAB Neuroscience faculty and students for federal and non-federally funded proposals. The CNC will facilitate a quality peer pre-review of proposals by experienced neuroscientists, peers in your discipline.
Pilot Awards
In 2020, the CNC launched the CNC Pilot Award program to provide early-stage investigators with seed money to start Neuroscience-related projects that would result in applications for extramural federal funding. The next application cycle opens in Summer 2022.
Director Responsibilities
The Director has overall responsibility for the CNC, leads the CNC Leadership team, provide scientific leadership and monitors the progress of the CNC Cores. The Director is responsible for effectively and efficiently managing the resources of the CNC and leading efforts to increase funding and other resources to promote and support interdisciplinary neuroscience research and education at UAB.
The Director engages in the following activities:
- Leads and directs the CNC to rapidly and creatively establish the necessary neuroscience initiatives to facilitate the translation of basic research discoveries into effective therapies;
- Develops and conveys a strategic vision for the UAB CNC;
- Facilitates all review and leadership committee meetings as needed;
- Provides guidance and scientific direction to all Core and Scientific Program leaders;
- Reviews membership and extends invitation to prospective members;
- Attends and actively participates in monthly Council of Center Directors meetings;
- Develops opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation within the CNC network; and
- Engages in opportunities for philanthropy and fundraising through collaboration with the UAB Office of Research and the UAB Development team.
Interested faculty should be active members of the CNC and be free from other major academic leadership roles (e.g., department chair). Faculty members with an interest in the CNC Directorship should contact Dr. Jason Nichols (
Dimensions: An Innovative Way to Discover & Analyze Global Research Activity
Searching across publications provides a narrow view of the research ecosystem in any given field and misses much of the related activity that takes place before and after. With Dimensions, you can search, report and analyze across grants, publications, datasets, clinical trials, patents and policy simultaneously, enabling you to build a richer picture of the global scholarly landscape by tracing research from idea to impact.
Additional filters, further analytical views and visualizations make this an advanced solution for informing research and grant application strategy, reporting, conducting ongoing analysis and evaluation, and more.
Learn more: Dimensions Basic Information (PDF)
Log in to Dimensions: app.dimensions.ai
Log in Instructions: Dimension Login Instructions (PDF)
Find out how others are using Dimensions: Dimensions Case Studies
Training Materials
Quick Start Guide (PDF)
Quick Start Video (YouTube)
Searching Dimensions (YouTube)
The Office of Research announces the organizational changes outlined below. Please join us in honoring Dr. Keyser for his many contributions to science and the research enterprise at UAB, and in congratulating Drs. Nichols and Schwebel on their new roles.
Schwebel accepts Associate Vice President for Research Facilities and Infrastructure, starts September 1
The Office of Research is pleased to announce Dr. David Schwebel’s acceptance of the Associate Vice President for Research Facilities and Infrastructure position, which he will assume on September 1, 2021. Dr. Schwebel earned his B.A. in psychology from Yale University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from University of Iowa. He was selected for the Associate Vice President role from a field of outstanding candidates after a comprehensive nationwide search. Dr. Schwebel brings a wealth of administrative experience to the position, having served as an Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences since 2011 where he helped the College increase its externally funded awards by 76%. Schwebel, a University Professor of Psychology, is an accomplished researcher with over 325 peer-reviewed publications and numerous past and current extramurally funded projects. His new responsibilities will include working with the Schools, College and relevant units for coordination and strategic planning for research facilities across campus. Please help us extend a warm welcome to Dr. Schwebel as the newest member of the Office of Research senior leadership team.
Nichols’ responsibilities increase in role as Senior Associate Vice President for Research, effective October 1
In addition to his existing responsibilities in the Office of Research leading entrepreneurial and clinical trial initiatives, serving on the CCTS Executive Committee, and ongoing return to research operations planning, Dr. Jason Nichols will assume leadership duties of the merged offices of Research Development & Internal Programs plus Research Engagement & Partnerships. The merger adds to his portfolio the University-Wide Interdisciplinary Research Centers (UWIRC) program, research development initiatives and services, as well as interactions with outside entities such as Southern Research, and leadership of several university-wide committees. Nichols, a tenured Professor in the Department of Optometry and Vision Science will maintain his successful NIH-funded research activities through the School of Optometry. Over the next few months, Dr. Nichols will work closely with Dr. Keyser and others to achieve a smooth transition of these responsibilities and we look forward to his participation and leadership in these new aspects of his position.
Keyser, Associate Vice President for Research Development & Internal Programs, to retire September 30
After 26 years of exemplary service to UAB, University Professor Dr. Kent Keyser will retire effective October 1. Dr. Keyser’s tenure in the Office of Research began in 2013 when he assumed the role of Assistant Vice President for Research and continued after his promotion to Associate Vice President for Research Development and Internal Programs in 2016. His research program, on acetylcholine receptors in the nervous system, has been supported by NIH, NSF, and several foundations, and his impressive body of work has been published in a variety of prestigious journals including Cell, Journal of Neuroscience, the Journal of Biological Chemistry, and PNAS. Dr. Keyser’s input related to the development of research programs and implementation of strategies designed to enhance the competitiveness of proposals submitted by UAB faculty has been a critical component of UAB’s continued research growth. Please join us in extending our sincere thanks to Dr. Keyser for his leadership and commendable service, and in wishing him a very fond farewell as he begins a new chapter.