ORI Team & Partners: ORI Team Members

Academic Year 2023-2024 Annual Report
The Office of Research & Innovation is thrilled to introduce new team members who will help to support our continued growth. Additionally, in July, Drexel University welcomed Salus University in a merger that combines Salus’ renowned programs in fields like optometry, audiology, and occupational therapy with Drexel’s strengths as a top research institution. This partnership opens new doors for both education and research. We’re thrilled to welcome Salus students, faculty, staff, and alumni to the Drexel family, including several new colleagues joining our Office of Research & Innovation.

Welcoming New ORI Team Members

Jose Cartagena, Sr. Specialist of Export Control and COI
Jose is joining the ORI from the Center of International Trade & Security as an Energy Scholar. He holds a Bachelor degree in International Relations from Penn State and recently completed his Master's degree in International Policy at the University of Georgia. We are beyond excited to welcome him to Drexel and ORI!

Carissa Miller, Compliance Coordinator
ORI would like to welcome Carissa with her extensive customer service and administration experience. She is supporting both Research Compliance/Regulatory Affairs and Office of Sponsored Programs with ongoing projects and initiatives such as CITI-RCR and the Clarity Project.

Alice Reuther, Director, Contracts and Subawards
Please welcome Alice, who is responsible for the oversight of both the Contracts and Subawards Team. She will be working on process improvement, guidelines, procedures, and streamlining the work between the teams. Prior to coming to Drexel, Alice worked in research administration at the University of Virginia and Columbia University as well as HIAS, an international NGO. In addition, she has actively participated in the Federal Demonstration Partnership and is a former co-chair of the Subawards Subcommittee. Beyond her experience with subawards and contracting, she brings financial experience in post-award research accounting, internal auditing, and internal controls.

Kevin O'Brien, Animal Caretaker Position I
Kevin shares an interest for research and animal care and is excited to be a part of the team. He is looking forward to being trained in the field and taking advantage of the opportunities that Drexel has to offer. Kevin brings a QA and tech background with some informal animal experience. His attention to detail and QA experience will prove invaluable to the team, especially in preparing for inspections. He joins the permanent staff of three other employees who handle caretaker duties at Queen Lane and serve as essential personnel through weekends and holidays. The ULAR team is happy to have him onboard!

Jamarr Williams, Animal Care Technician
Jamarr has recently joined the Drexel ULAR husbandry staff at the New College Building facility as a fulltime animal care technician.  Jamarr has over 20 years of experience working in the research field as an animal caretaker and cagewash technician at UPenn & CHOP. His varied experience and knowledge will prove an invaluable asset to our capable team and in regards to his role  performing husbandry care, health monitoring and environmental support of laboratory animals. He joins ULAR's permanent staff of two other employees who handle caretaker duties at the 15th Street facility and serve as essential personnel through weekends and holidays. We are happy to have him onboard!

Welcoming Salus University Colleagues

Jacqueline Stults, IRB/IACUC Administrator
Jacki transitioned from the IRB/IACUC Administrator role at Salus University to Drexel’s Research Compliance and Regulatory Affairs team in July. In addition to helping transition Salus IRB and IACUC protocols to Drexel, Jacki is working with the Quality Assurance Program to support monitoring, training, and procedure development for ORI.

Jamal Edwards, Animal Facility Manager
Jamal has transferred over to Drexel ULAR and continues to serve as part -time Facility Manager for the Salus University Campus overseeing animal husbandry, staff, and daily animal research operations in the vivarium as well as performing animal husbandry care. He has been in this role for 3 years and has extensive  years of varied experience as a facility manager and director.

Troy Hillenbrand, Animal Caretaker
Troy has transferred over to Drexel ULAR and continues working in conjunction with the animal facility manager in his supportive role as part time caretaker for the Salus University Campus. He provides continued husbandry care, health monitoring and environmental support of laboratory animals. Troy brings  years of varied experience as a facility manager and director to the role.

Meet the rest of the ORI staff!