Temple’s research enterprise is quickly growing as newly hired Senior Vice President for Research Larry F. Lemanski has a clear vision for the future.
As of Dec. 1, Lemanski began his journey to push Temple toward becoming a leading, world-renowned research institute. To achieve his goal, he said he plans to make research more “user-friendly” so it is easier for students and faculty to participate in studies and receive increased funding from various sources.
Lemanski is currently scheduling seminars to educate Temple’s researchers, which are meant to increase their capabilities of being successful for competitive grant funding. He also plans to work with state, local and federal legislators to get large grants through federal initiatives.
“I am hoping that we can get some federal earmarks to build pillars of excellence in some areas here on campus,” he said.
Lemanski said he also hopes to expand translational research, patenting the discoveries of students and faculties and then licensing the technology so it can be put to use. The university receives a portion of the money earned, which would enhance all the scholarly activities of the university. Some of the money earned is for indirect expenses, ultimately providing more opportunities for Temple students.
“We may not get a Gatorade like [the University of Florida] did, but we will certainly be successful in getting some things,” Lemanski said. “There may be a big hit at some point where Temple will get something very large that would significantly change, in a very short time, the complexion of the university and make it a world-renowned research university.”
Lemanski said he decided to join Temple because he felt his past experiences fit well with what the university is ready to accomplish. He said he finds significant momentum and excitement to move to the next level of research because of the addition of President Ann Weaver Hart and Provost Lisa Staiano-Coico, who understand the importance of establishing Temple as a major research university.
“Over the next five years, I think that we can accomplish tremendous amounts,” Lemanski said. “I think the university can move up to a world class status in a number of areas, and I expect to be able to see the university doubling in funding during that period of time.”
Previously, Lemanski worked as Florida Atlantic University’s first vice president for research. In five years, he increased their funding from $30 million to more than $90 million, set up their division of research, and created a Center of Excellence grant, which has yielded more than $40 million. The center also established four new companies, received 27 patents and published several works.
Lemanski also has a background in teaching and said he hopes to continue that as a professor of anatomy and cell biology for the Temple’s School of Medicine within the next two years.
Sarah Fry can be reached at sarahfry@temple.edu.
1 Trackback / Pingback