The Faculty Research and Innovation Center (FRIC) encourages innovation and enterprise, facilitates collaborations, serves as an advocate for university scholarship and creative practice, and administers internal funding for faculty research ventures. FRIC is overseen by Dr. Ryan Otter, Vice Provost for Research and Innovation (Interim), houses four units, and works with the Faculty Research and Development Committee.
Meet the Team
Ryan’s primary responsibility as the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation is overseeing a portfolio of independent, yet connected, University enterprises that include external & internal funding, faculty fellowships, compliance & integrity, technology commercialization, and the Johnson Center for Philanthropy, as well as serving as the Executive Director for the Faculty Research and Innovation Center. Ryan has B.S. and M.S degrees in Zoology from Michigan State University, a Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from Clemson University. Prior to joining GVSU in 2023 he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Miami University (Ohio) a faculty member & administrator at Middle Tennessee State University. In addition to his current role, Ryan is also a Professor at GVSU’s Annis Water Resources Institute (see the Otter Lab) where his research focuses on understanding the fate and effects of water pollution (e.g., mercury, PCBs).
Ryan Otter (B.S, M.S, Ph.D.)
Vice Provost for Research and Innovation (Interim)
Jen has been a member of the GVSU community since 2012. In addition to her role in FRIC, Jen is a Professor in the Biology Department, within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In these roles, Jen provides leadership for institutional research initiatives, strengthening infrastructure, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and expanding faculty development, funding opportunities, and strategic partnerships to advance scholarly and creative activity across campus. Jen holds a B.S. in Zoology and a B.A. in Spanish from Northern Michigan University, an M.S. in Biology from Central Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Ecology and Biodiversity from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Her academic journey includes two postdoctoral fellowships, one at the University of Alaska Southeast and the other at Michigan State University. Jen is an internationally recognized conservation biologist who collaborates extensively with students and global research partners. Her work focuses on conservation science and species recovery, contributing to evidence-based strategies for managing threatened and endangered wildlife, while her editorial and advisory roles bridge research, policy, and practice to address complex environmental challenges.
Jennifer Moore (B.S, B.A, M.S, Ph.D.)
Assistant Vice Provost for Research and Innovation
Shelley has been with the Faculty Research and Innovation Center since December of 2022, but she has supported research endeavors since 2010 when she worked in the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (OURS). She currently works with Dr. Otter in administering internal faculty funding, maintaining budgets, and assisting the Faculty Research and Development Committee, among other roles. Shelley studied at Grand Valley State University as an undergraduate, earning her B.A. with majors in Legal Studies and English, and a minor in Political Science. She went on to earn her Master of Arts in English Literature from GVSU. Shelley enjoys being in an academic setting almost as much as she enjoys her time in Gotham, Blüdhaven, Hogwarts, Westeros, and Faerûn.
Shelley Sickrey (B.A, M.A.)
Administrative Assistant
Office of Research Compliance and Integrity
(ORCI)
ORCI oversees general research practices, such as Responsible Conduct of Research and Conflict of Interest in Research, as well as more specialized areas, such as Human Subjects Research and Animal Care and Use.
Office of Sponsored Programs
(OSP)
OSP serves as the University's central office that supports faculty and staff in the identification, development, submission, and administration of externally sponsored agreements for scholarly research and creative activity.
Technology Commercialization Office
(TCO)
TCO is the university resource for creating productive relationships in the quest for discovery, learning, and engagement between the university and business community.
Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy
(JCP)
JCP bridges research and practice to support effective philanthropy.
Advisory Committees
The Faculty Research and Innovation Center (FRIC) works with a number of faculty committees across campus to ensure the best research experience possible.
The Faculty Research and Development Committee (R&D) debates and recommends policies pertaining to research conduct and development to the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation. They also review R&D internal grants, distinguished faculty award nominations, and participate in the sabbatical review process. The committee members are elected by their college and serve a 3-year term. Each college has one representative, except for CLAS with seven and Seidman with two.
MEMBERS ARE:
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
|
Name |
Department |
Year Term Ends |
|---|---|---|
|
Andrew DiLernia |
Statistics |
2027 |
|
Mario Fific |
Psychology |
2028 |
|
C. Tyler Godines Camarillo |
Political Science |
2028 |
|
Kingshuk Majumdar |
Physics |
2028 |
|
Oindrila Mukherjee |
Writing |
2029 |
|
Dirk Pandel |
Physics |
2029 |
|
Natashia Swalve |
Psychology |
2027 |
Seidman College of Business
|
Name |
Department |
Year Term Ends |
|---|---|---|
|
Bishal B C |
Accounting |
2028 |
|
Raymond Fan |
Management |
2029 |
College of Computing
|
Name |
Department |
Year Term Ends |
|---|---|---|
|
Zach DeBruine |
Information Sciences & Technologies |
2027 |
College of Education & Community Innovation
|
Name |
Department |
Year Term Ends |
|---|---|---|
|
Ronke Olawale |
Social Work |
2028 |
Padnos College of Engineering
|
Name |
Department |
Year Term Ends |
|---|---|---|
|
Sanjivan Manoharan |
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering |
2027 |
College of Health Professions
|
Name |
Department |
Year Term Ends |
|---|---|---|
|
Sarah Nechuta |
School of Interdisciplinary Health |
2029 |
Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies
|
Name |
Department |
Year Term Ends |
|---|---|---|
|
Dawn Rutecki |
School of Interdisciplinary Studies |
2028 |
Kirkhof College of Nursing
|
Name |
Year Term Ends |
|---|---|
|
Cindy Mendez |
2028 |
University Libraries
|
Name |
Year Term Ends |
|---|---|
|
Amber Dierking |
2029 |
Unit Committees
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), with support from the Office of Research Compliance and Integrity (ORCI), is responsible for overseeing the provisions for the care and well-being of vertebrate animals used for research and educational purposes at GVSU. The IACUC and ORCI serve the public by ensuring compliance with all legal and ethical standards regarding the use of vertebrate animals in research and educational activities at GVSU.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) at GVSU is charged with reviewing all research protocols involving human participants to ensure research is conducted ethically and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The IRB is comprised of scientists, non-scientists, and community members. The board composition meets the requirements to review human subjects research as established by the federal Office of Human Research Protections.
Biosafety Committee
The GVSU Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is responsible for ensuring that biohazardous agents are used safely and in accordance with state and federal regulations as well as GVSU policies. The IBC establishes policies and evaluates procedures, proposals and records. Day-to-day operations are overseen by the University’s Biosafety Officer. The IBC is part of the University’s Research Protections Program and reports to the University Provost.
Radiation Safety Committee
The Radiation Safety Committee is the team responsible for the safe use of radioactive materials and radiation emitting devices. The committee sets policies and procedures that are in accordance with state and federal regulations which are then carried out by the Radiation Safety Officer.