“While it is true that external research support increased by more than 40 percent during the past six years, it is disappointing that our enhancements failed to improve our national research rankings,” he added. “Moreover, Temple has not been able to attract significant support for research from the private, corporate or industrial sectors. Because this is an area in which I have limited experience and expertise, I believe the university would be better served by someone heading the research office who brings a proven track record of success in these areas. Therefore, it is time for me to return to full-time research and teaching here at Temple. I look forward to many more wonderful years of work and success here.”
President Ann Weaver Hart said: “Ken has accomplished a great deal during his six years as vice president for research and graduate studies. His internal research funding programs have been especially effective in increasing Temple’s external research funding. After so many years of facilitating the research of others, I wish him success as he returns his focus to his own research and teaching.”
A search for a senior vice president for research and strategic initiatives will begin immediately; this new position will report to the president and be a part of the cabinet. The dean of the Graduate School will report to the provost. A committee comprising representatives of the trustees, faculty, deans, administrators, graduate students and alumni will convene over the summer. The search advisory committee will be chaired by Provost Lisa Staiano-Coico. More information about the search can be found at www.temple.edu/vpsearch.
During his tenure as vice president, Soprano restructured the university’s research oversight and support into the current staff of 34 working in the offices of Sponsored Program Administration; Technology Transfer; Clinical Trials; Research Development, Consultation and Education; Post Doctoral Fellows; Strategic and Corporate Initiatives; Human Subjects Protection; and Research Communications.
He also initiated several new programs, including Temple’s electronic research administration initiative, eRA@TU. This ongoing five-year, $5 million project has already facilitated communications between funding agencies and researchers, streamlined grant applications and provided safeguards in the approval and submission process. Soprano also was responsible for several Return of Overhead Incentive Grants that provided internal funding to researchers across the university, including grants for junior faculty, bridge grants for researchers between grants, and those for new directions for funded researchers. As of January 2007, an investment of $2.8 million in these programs had resulted in more than $26.3 million in external awards.
Soprano worked with the deans of several schools and colleges to fund lectures, seminars and workshops and to develop several new interdisciplinary research centers, including the centers for Preparedness Research, Education and Training; Obesity Research and Education; and Women’s Health Research, Leadership and Advocacy, as well as the Institute for Public Affairs. He also established an Internal Research Advisory Committee through which some of Temple’s most active researchers reviewed and improved university policies and procedures. In 2004, Soprano’s office formed the Million Dollar Research Award Club to recognize faculty who have generated at least $1 million in external grant support.
Soprano’s own research focuses on the understanding of molecular and genetic mechanisms that regulate cancer cell growth. Most recently, his laboratory has worked to identify genes that determine the sensitivity of ovarian, breast and oral squamous cell tumor cells to anti-cancer compounds derived from vitamin A. This research has been funded by the National Cancer Institute.
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