University Research Council

The University Research Council (URC) provides input to the Vice President for Research (VPR) on strategic issues related to research, scholarship and creative achievement. Although it is not actively involved in policy making, it provides recommendations to the VPR on short-term and long-term research priorities, as well as on such topics as indirect cost recovery; research faculty; postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate research activities; intellectual property and technology transfer; Office of Research Administration, Compliance, and Development Programs; and publicizing research successes.

The URC has a strong interest in evaluation, which is involved in planning exercises as well as in evaluating the effectiveness of programs and related policies.

The URC reports to the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School.

2024 – 2025 Membership Representation

College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences

  • Amalia Harrington, Appointed until August 31, 2027
  • Nicholas May, Appointed until August 31, 2027
  • Jennifer Perry, Appointed until August 31, 2025
  • Amber Roth, Appointed until August 31, 2025
  • Jared Talbot, Appointed until August 31, 2025

College of Education and Human Development

  • Sarah Howorth, Appointed until August 31, 2025
  • Dan Puhlman, Appointed until August 31, 2025

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

  • Rob Glover, Appointed until August 31, 2027
  • Sepideh Ghanavati, Appointed until August 31, 2025
  • Zach Ludington, Appointed until August 31, 2025
  • Laura Rickard, Appointed until August 31, 2025

Maine Business School

  • Henri Akono, Appointed until August 31, 2025
  • Nadège Levallet, Appointed until August 31, 2025

Maine College of Engineering and Computing

  • William (Bill) Davids, Appointed until August 31, 2025
  • Vikas Dhiman, Appointed until August 31, 2025
  • Caitlin Howell, Appointed until August 31, 2025

Cooperative Extension

  • Michael Habte-Tsion, Appointed until August 31, 2025

Research centers and institutes

  • Susan McKay, Appointed until August 31, 2027
  • Jonathan Rubin, Appointed until August 31, 2027
  • Aaron Weiskittel, Appointed until August 31, 2027
  • David Harder, Appointed until August 31, 2025

Other members

  • Brian Olsen, Associate Provost
  • Scott Delcourt, Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies & Senior Associate Dean
  • Ali Abedi, Associate Vice President for Research and Director of CUGR
  • Daisy Singh, Dean of Libraries
  • Christopher Boynton, Director of the Office of Research Administration
  • Amanda Ashe, Director of the Office of Research Compliance
  • Jason Charland, Director of the Office of Research Development
  • Danielle Levesque, Faculty Senate, Chair of Research and Scholarship Committee
  • Ben King, Faculty Senate, Chair of Research and Scholarship Committee
  • Laura Curioli, Graduate Student Representative
  • Andrew Bergeron, PEAC
  • John Volin, Provost
  • Shane Moeykens, Research Administrator for EPSCoR
  • Jake Ward, Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development
  • Tammy Crosby, Special Assistant to Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School
  • Kody Varahramyan, Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School