MONTHLY NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER 2025
Dear Colleagues,
This month’s update highlights momentum across OORI responsibilities, from new faculty awards and agency policy updates to fresh opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. You will also find important compliance updates, resources to support proposal development, and stories that showcase how our team is engaging with industry and partners.
Together, these updates reflect how USC’s research community continues to advance discovery, translate ideas into real-world impact, and strengthen the ecosystem that supports our faculty, students, and collaborators. We encourage you to stay engaged and take advantage of the many resources we are working to provide in support of your research and innovation endeavors.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that our team considers it a privilege and pleasure to be of service to advance your important work.
Warm regards, Ishwar K. Puri
Senior Vice President, Research & Innovation and Professor
FACULTY ENGAGEMENT:
Congratulations to our awardees! We are happy to announce the 2025 Ming Hsieh Institute (MHI) for Research on Engineering Medicine for Cancer awardees: Drs. Bingfei Yu, Ph.D.
(Keck), David Tran, M.D., Ph.D (Keck) and Ruishan Liu, Ph.D. (Viterbi) for the research “Developing an AI-enhanced immunogenic tumor neoantigen discovery platform for personalized cancer vaccine”; Drs. Chung Chieh Kuo, Ph.D. (Viterbi), Vinay Duddalwar, M.D. and Manju Aron, M.D., for the research “Digital eye for quantifying tumor microenvironment in whole pathological slides with green learning”; Dr. Eun Ji Chung, Ph.D. (Viterbi), Fariba Navid, M.D. (Keck) and Laura Perin, Ph.D. (Keck), for the research “CCR2-targeted micelles for combination therapy in Wilms tumor” and Drs. Heinz Josef Lenz, M.D. (Keck), Stacey, Finley, Ph.D. (Viterbi) “Pharmacological targeting of Dihydropyrmidine Dehydrogenase (DPD) and its effect on tumor microenvironment in metastatic colorectal cancer”.
Updated limited submission process at USC: Limited submissions are funding opportunities for which USC can only submit a limited number of applications. The application process has been updated. All applications to foundations and corporate sponsors will be processed by University Advancement. Please contact Jennifer Lidar for foundations (jlidar@usc.edu) and Dr. Llewellyn Cox for corporate sponsors (llewellc@usc.edu). Applications to government-sponsored limited submission opportunities will be handled according to the process outlined here. As well, the Department of Contracts & Grants has developed a video – “Navigating Limited Submissions” that briefly explains the application process.
RESEARCH STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT:
Agency Updates: NIH announced a new application and award structure last week for applications that request funding for international component organizations. Effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2026, competing applications must be in response to a funding opportunity using a new grant type when requesting NIH funding for one or more foreign components (NOT-OD-25-155). This new award structure addresses a longstanding challenge related to transparency into NIH funding for international research, enhancing its integrity, accountability, oversight, and national security.
The White House OMB and OSTP released FY27 R&D budget priorities, emphasizing U.S. leadership in AI, quantum, semiconductors, advanced communications, future computing, advanced manufacturing, energy dominance, security, health/biotech, and space exploration. Crosscutting actions include implementing “Gold Standard Science,” building the STEM workforce, expanding access to research infrastructure, strengthening the S&T ecosystem, and focusing on high-value, mission-aligned research.
Recent OORI News: USC and Techstars have officially launched the 2025 USC Techstars University Catalyst cohort, bringing together up to 20 promising startups led by USC faculty, students, alumni, and staff. Over the next three months, these teams will receive mentorship, masterclasses, and peer support to help transform bold ideas into impact-driven ventures across biotech, health tech, sustainability, and more. Read more here.
USC’s Alfred E. Mann Institute is gearing up to announce a new wave of innovation-driven investments in cutting-edge medical technologies. Led by Managing Director Tariq Warsi, AMI is doubling down on its mission to help faculty and entrepreneurs bridge the gap between early research and life-saving commercial applications. Read more here.
Applications are now open for the2026 USC Techstars Accelerator, a 13-week in-person startup growth program exclusively for USC-affiliated founders. From March to June 2026, accepted teams will receive $220,000 in equity support, access to mentorship, workshops, workspace, and a Demo Day to showcase their innovations. Read more here.
For those interested in learning more about the USC Techstars Accelerator, OORI is hosting a webinar on October 9th between 12:00PM-1:00PM. Join us for an inside look at the USC & Techstars Accelerator — now accepting applications! Hear directly from program leaders about what makes this world-class accelerator a game-changer for USC founders. Then stick around for a live panel with alumni who turned bold ideas into thriving ventures — they’ll share their stories, secrets, and answer your questions. This is your chance to get the insider edge before you apply. Register now!
DEPARTMENT OF CONTRACTS & GRANTS: A new training course titled Financial
Conflict of Interest (FCOI) in Research Training has been released in TrojanLearn.This course replaces the previous HHS Conflicts of Interest in Research Training and fulfills the federally mandated requirement for researchers engaged in Department of Health and Human Services– funded projects (e.g., NIH, CDC, HRSA). It also satisfies similar requirements for other sponsors, such as the Department of Energy. Researchers who recently completed the old training remain compliant until their next scheduled assignment, but the previous course is no longer available. The new course takes about 25 minutes, includes a short quiz, and integrates with Cayuse SP so completion records appear in the Trainings & Certifications section. Researchers with expired or soon-to-expire training will automatically be assigned the updated course and notified via email.
Recent Microlearning’s:
- Navigating Limited Submissions at USC
- The Department of Contracts and Grants: Roles, Resources, and Support
The Microlearning’s provides bi-weekly training designed to deliver concise, focused sessions on core research administration topics. Please check out our complete listing of training on our DCG training website.
STEVENS CENTER FOR INNOVATION: Our licensing team has been meeting with researchers and networking at industry events. On September 10th, Erin Overstreet and the technology licensing team, Charlie Bramlett, Veronica Go-Stevens, Nikki Higa, and Rosemary Kiser, attended the Cell & Gene Therapy Symposium cohosted by California Life Sciences (CLS) and California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). The event brought together leading voices from across the California cell and gene therapy ecosystem to discuss commercialization challenges, manufacturing innovations, and the role of academic medical centers in advancing the field. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with experts, explore new strategies for bringing transformative therapies to patients, and represent USC on the future of cell and gene therapy. It was an incredible day of panels and conversations, and we look forward to collaborating with innovators and industry leaders to bring lifesaving technologies to the market!
On September 18th, the physical sciences licensing team, Veronica Reynolds and Rosemary Kiser, attended the SoCal Alliance Deep Tech Symposium in El Segundo. The symposium included a pitch competition for early-stage companies in aerospace, defense technologies, and some in materials and sustainability. In addition, panels focused on the latest trends in investments, particularly for the defense industry. SoCal Alliance holds regular pitch competitions, which are an excellent opportunity for startup companies to get in front of investors.
On October 2nd, our Director of Technology Licensing, Rosemary Kiser, will attend SoCal Bio, a conference to highlight innovative, value-based bioscience advancements originating in Southern California. She will represent USC and join a panel titled “Demystifying Academic Licensing: Connect with Your Tech Transfer Offices.”
We are looking for graduate students for our Innovation Intern program! The ideal candidate is a master’s student studying the areas of computer science and electrical engineering. They will support our technology licensing managers and have hands-on experience working in a technology transfer office. The role is a paid internship working 5-10 hours a week. If you know a graduate student, please have them apply on our Careers webpage. Thanks for sharing this info and opportunity with your students!
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL RESOURCES: USC underwent a recent unannounced annual USDA inspection on 9/12, where a full inspection of records, facilities, and animals occurred. USDA annual inspections are routine and as described in the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations. USC’s animal care program was found to have no noncompliant items (i.e. no citations) and received many commendations during the inspection process. No citations indicate that our program is following federal regulatory compliance guidelines, which mitigate risk to research at the university.
Rederivation and Cryopreservation Program- With your input, DAR is gradually moving towards rederivation of imported rodent strains in place of importing and quarantine from other institutions. There are many reasons for this shift including guaranteeing a pathogen free status, minimizing the rise of future costs, and ensuring you have young healthy animals for your studies. More communications, opportunities for feedback, and data will be provided in the upcoming months.
Charles River Laboratories recently provided a Lunch and Learn of their services and products that can enhance and prioritize genetically modified strains, IVF services, rapid quarantine, cryopreservation and storage, and rederivation of sperm and embryos on 9/17. USC has special discount prices with this vendor for these services. Specifically, CR will honor a whopping 45% discount for all rederivation services and 50% for cryopreservation until the end of this year! So now is the time to cryobank your precious stocks if breeding is not really necessary.
Mark your calendars for Lunch and Learn by Transnetyx on 11/14, 11am HSC and 2pm UPC, location TBA!
DAR will continue to facilitate more Lunch and Learn programs in the upcoming year to provide education on how to continue research during leaner times. Rederiving and preserving valuable strains is more cost effective and aligns with the 3Rs than breeding in house or importing. Check Dar.usc.edu under news for upcoming events.
Did you Know: DAR Animal Laboratory Technicians feed a high-quality commercial diet that prevents nutritional and metabolic disease. DAR regularly checks our vendors and the feed for all species to ensure it is free of contamination, is not expired, and is being consumed. Thankfully, scurvy is one less worry when performing your studies.
HUMAN RESEARCH PROTECTION AND RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY:
We are excited to announce we achieved Full AAHRPP Reaccreditation! The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) has granted USC Full Reaccreditation. AAHRPP is an independent, non-profit accrediting body. They use a voluntary, peer-driven, educational model to ensure that HRPPs meet rigorous standards for quality and protection. USC’s reaccreditation represents an institution-wide commitment to research participant protection. A huge thank you to everyone who participated in the site interviews, writing reports, pulling data, and organizing the events. USC has maintained AAHRPP accreditation since 2007 and we are proud to continue the tradition of excellence.
A warm welcome to Dax Miller and Rachel Murray to the team. Rachel comes in as a Senior
IRB Analyst for the Social-Behavioral team. Dax is our new Quality Improvement and Education Manager. If you see them in a meeting, please welcome them to USC. They represent the OORI commitment to keep Human Research Protections strong and effective.
You may have also noticed a name change. We have reorganized to bring both the Human Research Protection Program and Research Technology Services under one organization. As part of that reorganization, Martin Koning-Bastiaan has become the Executive Director for Human Research Protection and Research Technology and Johnson Kwong is now the Associate Director of Research Technology.