OPEN Book – May 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 now being sent on the first business day of the month.

News, Information, and Upcoming Events

Follow our social accounts! @unlresearch on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and Bluesky

Welcome New R&I Team Members

Lexie Down Occupational Health Registered Nurse Animal Care Program Started April 7, 2026

Farewells

Mekenzie Clover’s last day is today.  She has taken a position as the grants specialist for the HAPPI Business Center. If you have any questions, please contact Brande Dicks.

Mari Greer retires today from the Vice Chancellor’s Office.  Join us in congratulating Mari.  If you need any assistance, please contact Anna Lowe.

Kudos to Our Colleagues

Brian Sabata (Sponsored Programs) and L.D. Miller (Research Finance & Information Systems), along with two NREAP apprentices, Vincent Rotolo and Kurt Dumblauskas, authored an article in the publication in the April/May 2026 NCURA Magazine (pgs. 29-30).
https://issuu.com/ncura1959/docs/april_may_2026_ncura_magazine?fr=sMDUwYTkxMjYzNTE
National Recognition for Research Development Team Members at NORDP 2026
Members of the Research Development team traveled to the 18th annual research development conference hosted by the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP) from April 26 to 29 in Indianapolis, IN. Highlights include: Nathan Meier was elected a 2026 NORDP Fellow, which recognizes the long-term accomplishments of members who have made sustained contributions to NORDP and worked tirelessly to advance research development as a profession and/or as a field. Status as a NORDP Fellow is the highest professional distinction the organization may bestow on a member.  Nathan Meier was also recognized with the Holly J. Falk-Krzesinski Service Award. Named for NORDP’s founding President, this award is voted on by the board of directors and given annually to a NORDP Member in recognition of outstanding service to the organization, to the research development profession or field, and to peers. Petrina Suiter was awarded a Rising Star Award, which recognizes outstanding, early volunteer contributions to NORDP and strong potential for future contributions to the organization and the profession or the field. Nathan Meier presented The State of Professional Development in Research Development: Landscape Survey Findings with Susan Carter. Jackson Hardin presented FOCUS Insights – Sparking Ideas for Regional Collaboration as part of the Midwest/Mountain Regional Meeting with Ryan McAllister (University of Idaho) and Aurora Pinkey (University of Nevada, Reno).
Erik Schulz (Research Compliance, Integrity, and Security) successfully defended his doctoral dissertation on April 15th, entitled, Environmental Influences on Decomposition in a Fluvial Setting: A Study of Water Flow, Temperature, and Terrain in the Central Great Plains. 
Joy Eakin (NUtech Ventures) was honored with the Entrepreneurship Campus Fellow Award by the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship for her contributions to strengthening Nebraska’s entrepreneurship ecosystem during the 39th Annual New Venture Competition.
https://business.unl.edu/news/nebraska-center-entrepreneurship-honors-eight-2026-entrepreneur-awards-hudl/
Congratulations to Jessica Jones in the Animal Care Program for passing the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification course!

Open Positions Announcement

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

Sponsored Programs Post-Award Specialist I, Sponsored Programs, application review date begins 05/01/2026
Sponsored Programs Post-Award Specialist II, Sponsored Programs, application review date begins 05/01/2026

The Month in Pictures

Deepa Choudhry and Col. Eileen Collins sitting at table with Space Women poster behind them.

Deepa Choudhry (NUtech Ventures) attended the Nebraska Women in STEM Conference, where she had the opportunity to meet Col. Eileen Collins during her book signing. Collins made history as the first woman to both pilot and command a U.S. space shuttle mission. She is the author of Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars and just released a new documentary Space Woman, which highlights her extraordinary achievements with NASA.

Isaac Regier (Nebraska Innovation Studio - Frontier Tech Lab) supported Morrill Hall’s newly renovated fossil dig by 3D printing and dyeing bones to closely match the color of real fossils.

Isaac Regier (Nebraska Innovation Studio – Frontier Tech Lab) supported Morrill Hall’s newly renovated fossil dig by 3D printing and dyeing bones to closely match the color of real fossils. The process took several months from printing through finishing. The bones have now been set into concrete and will soon be covered with sand-colored, playground-safe rubber mulch, creating an interactive space where children can dig and explore. The hands-on exhibit is scheduled to open in June. Read more >>

Brooke Goedert (Nebraska Innovation Campus) attended the ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference, where she explored the power of optimism intelligence. Pictured from left to right: Jessie Rudolph, Brooke Goedert, in front of Positivity has power banner
Travis Ray (Nebraska Innovation Studio) presented at the 2026 Annual National Association for the Research in Science Teaching (NARST) Conference in Seattle. His presentation was titled Building Teacher Confidence with AI: Scaffolding Affordable, Hands-On Experimentation.
She said yes! Jaclyn Tan (Proposal Development) and Karl recently got engaged amid the beautiful blooms and lush foliage of Lauritzen Gardens!
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.