OPEN Book – July 2026

OPEN Book is the Office of Research and Innovation’s internal monthly electronic newsletter that highlights upcoming activities, office news, and accomplishments.  The OPEN Book newsletter is distributed on the first business day of the month. 

News, Information, and Upcoming Events

Research and Innovation’s Ice Cream Social
Register for the Ice Cream Social on July 23, 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Whittier 150, 152, and the Courtyard. 
2026 All Staff Conference "Our Staff, Our Strength”
To see the full agenda, register and/or sign up to volunteer, visit the All Staff Conference website. 
HealthierU Wellness Coaching is a free, confidential program designed to help University of Nebraska–Lincoln employees improve their overall well-being through personalized support, goal setting, and accountability. Whether you're looking to become more physically active, improve your eating habits, manage stress, sleep better, increase energy, or create a healthier work-life balance, a wellness coach can help you identify what matters most and develop a realistic plan for success.
Learn more about HealthierU Wellness Coaching and submit your intake form. https://healthieru.unl.edu/individual-well-being/wellness-coaching/

Farewells

Mikaela Myers’s last day with Research Compliance, Integrity, and Security was June 12, 2026.  In the interim, please contact Rachel Wenzl.  

David Martin’s is retiring from the Nebraska Innovation Studio. His last day is today. Over the coming year, he plans to travel extensively throughout Europe. Congratulations, David! In the interim, please contact Kate Engel. 

Kudos to Our Colleagues

Learn more on Nebraska Today about the University of Nebraska Press being named publisher of the year. 
We are pleased to share that Brande Dicks (Project Management Office) has successfully earned the Certified Research Administrator (CRA) designation through the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC).
Jen Nelson and Nathan Meier (Vice Chancellor’s Office) attended the APLU Council on Research (COR) Summer Meeting at the University of Colorado Boulder from June 21–24. They engaged with academic research leaders from across the country, participated in learning and networking opportunities, and visited DOE’s National Laboratory of the Rockies. Both also contributed to panel presentations during a daylong workshop for new and aspiring senior research officers (SROs). Jen spoke on optimizing research office organizational structures and making the most of limited institutional resources, while Nathan contributed to a discussion on research development as a strategic imperative. Jen was also recognized for completing Cohort 8 of the COR Research Leader Fellowship Program, which provides training and skill development for individuals who work closely with or aspire to become SROs. 

Open Positions Announcement

Do you know someone who should join our team?  Share these opportunities

Research Business Services Finance Specialist, Research Finance, application review date begins 07/02/2026
IRB Reliance Coordinator I, II or III, Research Compliance, Integrity, and Security, application review date begins 07/01/2026   
Entrepreneurship Intern, NUtech Ventures, current UNL student- junior or above as of Fall 2026. Questions contact Nick Alder.  

The Month in Pictures

Kate Engel (Nebraska Innovation Campus) joined President Jeffrey Gold for the latest episode of “Shaping the Future.” Watch the Conversation >>
In March, Stephanie Vendetti’s family (Events) adopted a new family member from Hearts United for Animals and welcomed Carl into the pack. Carl, a 6-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, was in desperate need of a safe place to call his own after being found by a hunter abandoned in the countryside. After months of working on getting him up to a healthy weight and clearing up skin conditions brought on by malnutrition and outdoor exposure, at the 3-month mark, Carl is filling out, has grown in a fresh coat of hair, and is finally settled into the pack
Cheryl Horst (NUtech Ventures) was interviewed Wednesday, June 24th for Extramural, a podcast hosted by gener8tor and NMotion. Cheryl spoke about her wealth of experience in the field of tech transfer, both as an intern at WARF years ago and now as the Executive Director of NUtech Ventures. 
NUtech Ventures Welcomes New Commercialization Analyst Interns
The NUtech Ventures team went on retreat last Thursday, June 18th. The retreat took place in a conference room on the second floor of Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill. The team ate lunch, overviewed university info/policies, discussed how to represent NUtech with confidence, and brainstormed new website ideas. 
David Martin (Nebraska Innovation Studio) welcomed a packed house for the Nebraska Innovation Fellows Showcase, celebrating the second cohort’s incredible progress. After 20 weeks of prototyping, coaching, and community building, the four fellows took the stage to share what they’ve built in medicine, agriculture and cybersecurity. This event officially marked the conclusion of the fellowship that is designed to transform Nebraska’s technical talent into startup-ready builders.
Join No Coast Roller Derby at The Ice Box this summer in Lincoln, Nebraska for THREE action-packed events! Kate Madsen (Research Finance) (#73 Mayhem) will be playing with the Road Warriors team this season. All home games for the 2026 season will be doubleheaders. More information about opponents and event details can be found on our social media pages!
Elijah Paulson (Nebraska Innovation Studio) took a summer vacation to Wyoming, visiting the Grand Teton Mountains and Yellowstone National Park. During a hike to Inspiration Point, he stopped to enjoy lunch along the river and take in the scenic views
If you enjoyed the news and photos, please consider sharing for the next OPEN Book Newsletter.  Thank you to the OPEN Book reporters who reach out to their teams for content each month.