February 23, 2026 – Research Policy and Advisory Committee (RPAC) – Minutes

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Time: 9:00 am

Location: Microsoft Teams

Present: Ali Abedi (ex Officio), Viktorjia Bilic, Rhina Ghose, Anne Kissack, Bonnie Klein-Tasman, Tory McCoy, Joshua Mersky, Kate Mollen (ex Officio), Kris O’Connor (ex Officio), Bryan Porter (ex Officio), Marie Sandy, Troy Skwor, Melissa Tesch, Jerald Thomas, and Vipavee Thongpriway

Absent: Jacob Rammer

Guests: Suzanne Boyd, Kathleen Koch, Jeremy Miner, and Jeff Nytes

  1. Tori McCoy called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.
  2. Minutes of January 26, 2026, meeting and the current meeting agenda were automatically approved.
  3. Updates from the Office of Research
    Ali Abedi shared that most of the projected cuts to federal funding have been reversed. In fact, some agencies, like the Department of Defense, the NSF, and NIH are expected to have increased funding available.

    Ali recently returned from a trip to Washington, DC, where an Executive Order from the White House was discussed about the Genesis Mission. It will accelerate the pace of science discovery in the US using AI and expanding the use of AI for national security. There will be a significant amount of funding. It will require a broad range of expertise and research. A call for proposals is expected in the summer.

    “Research With AI Guidelines” was shared with the committee last week. Feedback is welcomed before it will be shared with deans and the provost.

    Ali is working with IT services to provide research AI training and support for faculty.
  4. Discussion – Research Center/Institute Review Policy
    Kris O’Connor gave an overview of the process to review a research center or institute. The Office of Research coordinates the review process. The report from the reviewers is instructive for the Dean of college that oversees the center/institute.

    Work may be needed to further determine the definition of a research center/institute. The Research Center/Institute Review Policy may need to be updated.
  5. Center for Gravitation, Cosmology and Astrophysics Report Response
    No further comments.
  6. General Good and Welfare
    None
  7. Meeting adjourned at 9:52 am.