As a Carnegie R1 institution located in the heart of Philadelphia, Temple University is home to a dynamic research community that spans disciplines, drives discovery, and advances real-world impact. With approximately $334 million in annual research expenditures and a growing portfolio of patents, partnerships, and translational initiatives, Temple fosters an environment where scholarly inquiry thrives.

This page is designed to help you navigate your first year as a Temple researcher. You will find essential information, key contacts, and resources to support your success, including tools for proposal preparation, research integrity, grant management, and professional development.

We are excited to welcome you to Temple’s vibrant community of investigators, educators, and innovators.

About OVPR

The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is here to support you throughout your research journey. We serve as a central hub for research development, funding strategy, compliance, sponsored project administration, technology commercialization, and cross-sector partnerships. Our mission is to help faculty succeed at every stage of the research lifecycle — from idea to implementation, from lab to community.

Research Lifecycle Support

OVPR is structured to support faculty across every stage of the research lifecycle. Whether you are submitting your first proposal, navigating regulatory requirements, managing a complex grant, or exploring commercialization pathways, OVPR’s specialized offices and teams are here to provide expert guidance, resources, and personalized support. Our goal is to make it easier for you to focus on what matters most: advancing knowledge and making an impact.

Research Development

Reporting to the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Office of Research Development (ORD) strengthens Temple University’s research enterprise by providing faculty and researchers with strategic resources to advance their scholarly work.

ORD offers grantsmanship training, expert proposal review, and strategic consultation while facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations and identifying funding opportunities. ORD manages internal funding programs, coordinates limited submissions, and assists in developing large-scale, multidisciplinary proposals. Additionally, ORD fosters external partnerships with federal agencies, industry, and nonprofits, promotes faculty recognition, and facilitates engagement with research sponsors.

Through these initiatives, ORD advances research excellence and enhances faculty success in securing competitive funding.
 

Research Administration

Reporting to the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Office of Research Administration (ORA) manages all aspects of externally sponsored grants and contracts at Temple University. 

There are currently four units within ORA:

• Proposal Development & Submission
• Division of Research Award Management-Non Financial
• Division of Research Award Management- Financial
• Division of Sponsored Program Training

Their primary duties include coordinating the solicitation, negotiation, and financial and non-financial administration of grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. The office assists faculty and staff in reviewing, approving and submitting.

Research Compliance

Reporting to the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Office of Research Compliance (ORC) manages, supports, and oversees the implementation of, and compliance with, and training related to, applicable federal laws, regulations, and institutional policies to ensure Temple research is conducted safely and ethically. 

Major areas of research compliance include: 

Institutional Committees Overseeing Ethical and Safe Research

• Human Subjects Protection and the Institutional Review Board (IRB): All research involving human participants and/or private identifiable information must be reviewed and approved by the IRB. Click here to learn more.
• Animal Welfare and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC): Research with animals to be conducted at Temple, must be reviewed and approved by the IACUC. Click here to learn more.
• Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC):  Reviews research involving recombinant DNA and synthetic nucleic acid molecules, infectious agents, hazardous drugs and materials. Click here to learn more.

Research Security

Encompasses mandatory disclosure of external activities, export controls restrictions, cybersecurity requirements, and protections against foreign undue influence. Click here to learn more.

Research Integrity

OVPR offers education, resources, and support of responsible and ethical conduct of research at Temple. Click here to learn more.
 

Technology Commercialization and Innovation

Located at the Innovation Nest on the Health Sciences Campus, Temple University’s Office of Technology Commercialization and Business Development (OTCBD) accelerates the transformation of groundbreaking research into real-world impact. As part of the Office of Technology Commercialization and Business Development in the Office of the Vice President for Research, the team collaborates with faculty, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry partners to protect intellectual property, facilitate commercialization, and drive innovation forward.  

From invention disclosure and patenting to licensing and startup formation, Technology Commercialization provides comprehensive support to Temple’s research community. By fostering strategic partnerships and streamlining pathways for commercialization, the team ensures that novel discoveries reach the marketplace, benefiting society while advancing the university’s mission of research excellence and economic development.  This includes establishing contracts to protect confidential information, enabling material and data transfers, and negotiating industry sponsored research agreements. 

Innovation 

Our Innovation team works with the Temple research community to support the development of research-based inventions. Includes the Innovation Nest and Mid-Atlantic Diamond Ventures. Click here to learn more.

Technology Commercialization

Our Technology Commercialization team reviews inventions to determine whether to pursue IP protection (e.g. patent and copyright); Confidential Disclosure Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, Data Use/Sponsored Research Agreements, Some Clinical Trials, Memorandum of Understanding, and Master Agreements (Industry). Click here to learn more.

Electronic Research Administration (ERA)

The Office of Electronic Research Administration, under the direction of the Vice President for Research, provides support with information systems and technology used to facilitate research administrative processes.

ERA uses an integrated and automated system to assist research administration activities with both pre- and post-award processes that involves the administrative and regulatory aspects of grants, contracts and clinical trials.

Ways to Stay Connected

OVPR shares essential updates and important news with the Temple research community through multiple communication channels. In addition to checking our website for the latest updates, we invite you to explore the various ways you can connect with us.

Research Listservs

Our research listservs and mailing lists help keep our community informed about funding opportunities, upcoming trainings, rule changes, and more. Please subscribe to our listservs. 

Research Teams Channel

OVPR maintains a Microsoft Teams channel to communicate with our Temple, TUHS, and FCCC research community. You must use a temple.edu, tuhs.temple.edu, or fccc.edu email address to join.

@TempleResearch on Social Media

OVPR shares the latest updates, upcoming events, and news about Temple Research and Innovation through our social media channels. Follow us on LinkedIn and X to stay informed.

OVPR Events

OVPR) hosts a variety of events throughout the year to inspire collaboration, celebrate innovation, and support the research community at Temple University. Explore this page to discover upcoming events and learn about OVPR's signature events held every year.

Research Report

OVPR publishes a yearly research annual report, Research in Action.

Key Contacts

We look forward to supporting your research journey at Temple University. Please contact us for assistance.

Vice President for Research: Josh Gladden, (215) 204-3708, jgladden@temple.edu

Research Development: Seema Freer, Director of Research Development, (215) 204-6350, [click-for-email]

Research Administration: Dennis J. Paffrath, Associate Vice President for Research Administration, (215) 204-6325, dennis.paffrath@temple.ed

• Proposal Development & Submission: Christine Blewett, Assistant Director, Proposal Development & Submission, (215) 707-8388, cblewett@temple.edu
• Research Award Management-Non Financial: Quadirah Green Assistant Director, Award Management, (215) 707-3391, qbgreen@temple.edu
• Research Award Management - Financial: Stephen Kosciolek, Director, Research Financial Management, (215) 926-2057, stephen.kosciolek@temple.edu

Research Compliance (including Research Security): Maria Palazuelos Jorganes, Associate Vice President of Research Compliance, (215) 707-7265, [click-for-email]

• All compliance matters: researchcompliance@temple.edu
• IRB: irb@temple.edu
• IACUC: iacuc@temple.edu
• IBC: [click-for-email]
• Research Security: researchsecurity@temple.edu
• Research Integrity: researchintegrity@temple.edu

Technology Commercialization & Innovation: Stephen Nappi, Associate Vice President of Technology Commercialization & Business Development, (215) 204-5293, [click-for-email]

• Technology Commercialization: Niraj Muni, Director of Commercialization Operations, (267) 721-2901, [click-for-email]
• Innovation Nest: Todd Abrams, Executive Director, Innovation Nest, (215) 204-8823, [click-for-email]

Electronic Research Administration (ERA): Krunal Cholera, ERA Director / Project Manager, (215) 204-5370, [click-for-email]