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 sent on the last business day of the month.
News, Information and Upcoming Events
Nominations Open for the 2025 Vice Chancellor’s Invaluable Service Award
Nominations for the 2025 Vice Chancellor’s Invaluable Services Award are now being accepted through November 3 via this form. Each year, Research and Innovation gives special recognition to those who have made outstanding contributions to the past year’s successes. The Vice Chancellor’s Award for Invaluable Service is given to individuals who excelled in their work and demonstrated commitment to R&I’s mission. These staff members go above and beyond to support the values of leadership, innovation, and initiative as they provided exceptional service to clients and to the university.
Occasionally, an award is also given to individuals outside R&I to honor their impact on our efforts to achieve our goals. You can use the same form to nominate someone outside the Office of Research and Innovation.
If you have any questions, please contact Becky Carter.
Nebraska Innovation Studio: 10 Years in the Making
Monday, October 6 | 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Remarks at 4:00 p.m. | Nebraska Innovation Studio
REGISTER >>
Join us as we celebrate a decade of creativity, collaboration and impact at Nebraska Innovation Studio—and mark the official launch of the Frontier Tech Lab.
For ten years, Nebraska Innovation Studio has empowered makers, entrepreneurs and researchers to bring bold ideas to life. Now we’re taking the next step forward with the creation of the Frontier Tech Lab—a catalyst for advanced prototyping, industry partnerships and cutting-edge fabrication.
At this milestone celebration, you’ll:
- Hear from makers, leaders and partners who have shaped Nebraska Innovation Studio over the past decade
- Explore projects that push the limits of both traditional craft and digital technology
- Meet the people driving the next decade of innovation in Nebraska
This celebration is also part of Silicon Prairie Startup Week—a chance to connect with the region’s most visionary builders, founders and doers. Light refreshments will be provided.
Staff Senate Information
- Staff Senate Annual Report can be found at https://staffsenate.unl.edu/documents/.
- For more information on budget reduction process, please visit: https://apc.unl.edu/ and https://budgetprocess.unl.edu/.
- President Gold is slated to attend the November Staff Senate meeting. The Executive Committee are planning to create a mechanism for staff to submit questions in advance to ensure the meeting is productive and that key concerns are addressed.
- Reach out to a senator for the slides from the Staff Senate District Meeting held on September 29, 2025. District 7 Senators are: Kate Carlin, Aurora Kenworthy, Jenn Rutt, Jaclyn Tan, and Elyse Watson.
NSPIRE Leadership Development Program
This fall’s lineup includes engaging topics like discovering your leadership style, building trust, and navigating change – all designed to enhance your leadership skills and help you gain practical insights for your professional journey.
Learn more:https://news.unl.edu/article/nspire-fall-sessions-include-leadership-style-trust-and-change
- Helping Employees During Difficult Times | Oct. 2
- Building Trust and Engagement Workshop | Oct. 15-16
- Leveraging Strengths to Navigate Change | Nov. 7
- Leading Teams | Dec. 5
Events calendar and registration can be found at:https://events.unl.edu/ODT/search/?q=nspire
NRICH Professional Development Opportunities
Find more information and registration links at: https://events.unl.edu/search/?q=nrich.
Some learning opportunities for the Fall are:
- Emotional Intelligence – Developing Your Emotional Strengths | Oct. 21
- Speak Up, Listen Well Creating a Culture Where Feedback Works | Oct. 29
- Collaboration and Project Management with Microsoft Tools | Oct. 30
- Calm in the Chaos: Redefining Well-Being in Challenging Seasons | Nov. 6
- Power Up Your Professional Development Plan | Dec. 9
2025 HealthierU Employee Wellness and Community Resource Fair
The 2025 Employee Wellness and Community Resource Fair will take place on October 21, 2025, from 8-11 a.m. at the UNL Coliseum. This year’s event, sponsored by the University of Nebraska Federal Credit Union and Active Lifestyle Chiropractic, will include a variety of health and wellness vendors from across campus and within our local community! Stop by to meet with vendors, pet some therapy dogs, and take your chance at winning a door prize! *New this year* Employees who bring pantry items to donate to the Husker Pantry to the fair will earn an additional door prize ticket! Check out a list of in-need items by clicking here.
Welcome New R&I Team Members
We have two new hires joining the Research and Innovation team. They are Alan Muthersbaugh and Maycee Quick. I have attached an updated organizational chart for your reference, which can also be found at https://research.unl.edu/open/staff/ .
Alan Muthersbaugh is transferring to R&I from School of Biological Sciences, in the same role as a Supply Control Supervisor. Alan reports to Nick Glass and will continue to be located at Beadle Center.
Alan’s role will continue to be:
- Beadle Center shipping and receiving
- Campus supply center for frozen cell cultures and other samples
- Building asset management
- One of the building maintenance reporters
- Assisting with coordination for building projects.
Maycee Quick started yestersday as a Business Services Coordinator in the Morrison Business Center. Maycee reports to Erin Coufal and will be located at the Morrison Center. Maycee was most recently a Graduate Research Assistnat in Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement.
Maycee’s role will be to:
- support the Nebraska Center for Virology in operational aspects including financial support, event planning and office management;
- help support the complex financial and budgetary needs of the center
- independently coordinate and manage several key annual events and contribute to the development and ongoing support of a graduate student fellows program
If you see Alan or Maycee, please introduce yourself and welcome them to the team. More information will be in the next OPEN Book introducing them.
Farewells
Eileen Boswell’s last day in Research Compliance, Security, and Integrity was September 4, 2025. In the interim, please contact Sara Quinn.
Retirements
We have two retirements within Research and Innovation. They are Connie Wieser in Sponsored Programs and Mary Guest in the Vice Chancellor’s Office. Connie’s last day will be October 2nd, and Mary’s will be October 20th . Congratulations to Connie and Mary! We send you both best wishes for a relaxing retirement.
Lila Ortiz Torrijos’ last day in Research Animal Care Program will be October 1, 2025. In the interim, please contact Katelin VanDerslice.
Kudos to Our Colleagues
Open Position Announcements
Do you know someone who should join our team? Share these opportunities!
Job Postings
Conflict of Interest Coordinator I, II or III, Research Compliance, Integirty, and Security, application review date begins 10/10/2025
Press Editor, Journals, University Press, application review date begins 10/31/2025
The Month in Pictures
