National Council of University Research Administrators honors UTSA's Marianne Rinaldo Woods

Marianne Rinaldo Woods (Photo by Mark McClendon)

By Christi Fish, Public Affairs Specialist

(Aug. 20, 2009)--The National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) will present in October its 2009 Outstanding Achievement in Research Administration Award to Marianne Rinaldo Woods, Ph.D., J.D., UTSA senior associate vice president for research administration. The award recognizes an outstanding NCURA member each year who has made significant contributions to the research administration profession and demonstrated noteworthy service to the organization. NCURA is the nation's most prominent professional organization for academic research administrators and is comprised of more than 7,000 members.

The honor coincides with Woods' 30th anniversary in research administration and is a tribute to the many accomplishments spanning her career, which began in 1979 at California State University, Fullerton. A love for proposal writing and proposal development led her to research administration at Californaia State University, Long Beach; University of Texas at Dallas; University of Texas at Arlington and University of Alabama. In 2007, Woods joined UTSA, an emerging research institution competing with six other Texas universities for tier-one status.

Woods was nominated for NCURA's highest honor by colleagues in more than half a dozen states. One of those nominators was Keith McDowell, vice chancellor for research and technology transfer at the University of Texas System.

McDowell said, "No one in America has shown more leadership in transforming emerging research universities into super stars than Dr. Marianne Rinaldo Woods. From UT Dallas, UT Arlington, University of Alabama and now UTSA, Dr. Woods brings to the table an enormous range of talents including management of sponsored programs, intellectual property, policy formation and technology commercialization. Her skills as a negotiator and deal maker are legend. Those successful experiences have made her a national figure and leader in research administration and a heavily sought-after trainer. Who can resist her brilliance, her wit and her charm?"

Throughout her career, Woods has handled all aspects of research administration. Her notable accomplishments include:

• Founding the University of Alabama's Office for Technology Transfer, Office for Research Compliance, Technology Incubator (BAMA) and Central Analytical Facility
• Developing the Alabama Innovation, Mentoring and Entrepreneurship Center
• Managing research compliance programs at various universities including human subject, animal research and facilities, ethical conduct and bio-safety programs
• Earning a law degree with a focus on intellectual property and health law as a working professional and managing a full spectrum of technology transfer and commercialization activities including copyrights, patents, trademarks, licenses, non-disclosure agreements and material transfer agreements
• Developing and implementing novel policies, procedures, training and other infrastructure to expand extramural research programs

Since joining NCURA in 1984, Woods has done significant committee work to better the profession and has mentored upcoming research administrators. In 2002, NCURA recognized her service to the organization when it distributed its first Distinguished Service Awards. Woods was honored that year with two awards, one regional and one national.

Woods remains an active leader in NCURA as executive dean, working to develop NCURA's online tutorial program on a variety of topics targeting mid-level research administration managers. During the 2010-2011 academic year, Woods will serve as the chair of her NCURA region.

NCURA is devoted to improving the professionalism of the industry and concentrates on helping research administrators acquire the knowledge and skills they need for professional advancement at universities nationwide.