North Dakota State University Provost Bruce Rafert July 20 announced that the Center for Biopharmaceutical Research and Production has been restructured to be part of the Office of Research, Creative Activities and Technology Transfer. Kevin Soiseth has been named acting director of business operations and Keith Murphy the acting director of science operations while a national search for a new director is conducted.
The center will report administratively to Murphy, who is joining NDSU in July as associate vice president of biologics and biomedical outreach in the Office of Research, Creative Activities and Technology Transfer. Soiseth has been a quality assurance manager with the center since 2011.
The Center for Biopharmaceutical Research and Production performs market-driven research and develops biopharmaceuticals, including vaccines, to treat diseases. It was established in 2008 as a North Dakota Economic Development Center of Excellence to perform all aspects of biotechnology research and development, including basic science research, animal testing, human trials, product development and manufacturing.
The center seeks to attract new biotechnology companies to North Dakota, offer education and training programs to produce a highly skilled workforce to support the industry, and enhance economic development by attracting revenue to the state through grants, contracts, intellectual property patents and private investment.
Rafert said the restructuring is to provide greater support and efficiencies for the center.
Satishchandran Chandrasekhar, who has been director of the center and a professor of pharmaceutical sciences at NDSU since 2010, has resigned as of Aug. 6. “Satish was instrumental in helping NDSU establish the center, and his leadership in that startup phase is greatly appreciated,” Rafert said. “We look forward to the next period of development of this Center of Excellence.”
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.