RIO Leadership Team

Joanne Billings

Associate Vice President for Research Integrity & Compliance
Currently serving as interim VPR

(612) 625-3394, [email protected]

Joanne Billings oversees critical research integrity and regulatory functions of the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP)/Institutional Review Board (IRB), the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), the Office of Biotechnology Activities Oversight (OBAO), and Research Integrity and Compliance (RIC). This position also serves as the University’s research integrity officer* and deputy institutional official and has responsibility for ensuring that the institution fosters a research environment that promotes a culture of compliance, the responsible conduct of research, and research integrity and actively discourages research misconduct. In addition to her role serving the internal research community, Joanne works closely with external regulatory agencies and accrediting organizations to facilitate required and voluntary reviews of UMN research policies and processes.

Joanne holds a joint appointment between the Research and Innovation Office and the Medical School where she serves as associate professor of Medicine and as a pulmonologist and critical care physician focusing on the care of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and post op lung transplantation. Joanne, who also oversees the Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine (PACCS) Division clinical research program, has been involved in clinical trials in CF for over 20 years.

Joanne holds a BS in biochemistry from Illinois Benedictine College, an MD from Rush Medical College, and a MPH in epidemiology from the University of Minnesota.
 

Units & Initiatives

*While Joanne serves as interim VPR, Danielle Rintala, Research Integrity and Compliance director, will step in as the interim research integrity officer.
 

Thierry Boudet

Chief Operating Officer & Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives

(612) 624-6560, [email protected]

Thierry Boudet drives RIO's system-wide effectiveness by providing executive leadership and strategic vision to ensure RIO's system of services is optimally integrated, efficient and interconnected. He orchestrates strategic goal-setting processes, converts ambitious objectives into actionable plans, and designs and implements solutions to resolve complex business challenges. Additionally, Thierry conceptualizes, structures, and directs special projects that accelerate the VPR’s strategic priorities and deliver transformative impact across the entire research ecosystem.

He collaborates with stakeholders and faculty, co-steering the Council for Research Associate Deans (CRAD) and the Faculty Burden Reduction Committee (FBRC), with special focus on optimizing communication on emerging issues and reducing administrative burden affecting the research community system-wide. Thierry is passionate about leadership, technology, innovation, and creativity. He holds an MS in management of technology from the UMN Technological Leadership Institute and a masters degree in music composition from the University of Rennes 2 (France).

Units & Initiatives

Kristin Charles

Finance Director 

(612) 624-0664, [email protected]

Kristin Charles is responsible for the financial oversight of RIO and manages a team that provides expertise in financial analysis, budgeting, and transaction processing for both administrative support units and academic centers and institutes. RIO's finance team ensures compliance with University policies and procedures and provides high-level reporting and analysis to assist units in achieving their strategic goals. Kristin has worked at the University since 2010. She holds a BS in finance, a BA in Spanish, and an MBA, all from the University of Minnesota.
 

JoonHyung Cho

Assistant Vice President for External Affairs & Communications

(612) 626-8302, [email protected]

JoonHyung (Joon) Cho leads public and external affairs for the University of Minnesota’s $1.4 billion research enterprise, serving as the primary liaison on research-related federal and state matters and coordinating closely with the University’s Government Relations team to align research priorities with policy opportunities. He also works in partnership with the University of Minnesota Foundation and the Corporate and Foundation Engagement teams to expand external funding and partnerships that advance the University’s research and innovation mission.

He provides strategic oversight of the RIO’s Communications Office and dotted-line leadership for the Research Development Office, guiding efforts that enhance faculty competitiveness, institutional visibility, and stakeholder engagement. His team leads university-wide research communications, including the annual research report and other signature publications that highlight the impact of UMN research. A member of RIO’s leadership matrix, Joon provides cross-functional coordination across research strategy, communications, and partnership development to advance institutional priorities and strengthen the University’s role as a national leader in research and innovation. Before joining the University of Minnesota, he held leadership roles at the University of Virginia, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Louisiana State University AgCenter.

Joon holds a BA in chemistry from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN and a MS in inorganic chemistry from the University of New Hampshire’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Units & Initiatives

April Coon

Interim Associate Vice President for Research Administration

(612) 624-7021, [email protected]

April Coon serves as the interim AVP for research administration, leading university-wide research administration, policy development, and compliance activities. In this role, April oversees the University’s Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) and Office of Cost Analysis (OCA) functions and works closely with offices, departments, and colleges across the University to ensure adherence to federal, state, and institutional standards for research proposals and awards and acts as a policy owner for research administration policies, including regular updates and comprehensive reviews. Additionally, April provides research administration expertise to the University by serving on key institutional committees including the Council of Research Associate Deans, Grants Management User Network, and Faculty Burden Reduction Committee among others.

April holds a BA in theology from the University of St. Thomas and an MA in organizational leadership, policy, and development with an emphasis in higher education from the University of Minnesota.  
 

Greg Cuomo

Director of Statewide Initiatives & the Minnesota Bioinnovation Accelerator

(651) 366-7013, [email protected]

Greg Cuomo was appointed director for statewide initiatives and the Minnesota Bioinnovation Accelerator in July 2025. He brings over 20 years of leadership experience including associate dean for research and graduate programs in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences, deputy director of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, and division head of the University's Research and Outreach Centers (ROC). Greg is dedicated to developing strategic partnerships, and building the capacity and infrastructure needed to establish Minnesota as a national leader in food, agriculture, and biomanufacturing. 
 

Rick Huebsch

Associate Vice President for Technology Commercialization

(612) 625-3760, [email protected]

Rick Huebsch serves as the senior leader responsible for the overall strategic direction, management, and administration of the technology commercialization and venture operations for the five University of Minnesota campuses and the University’s collaborative research centers throughout the state. Rick also oversees personnel and financial operations of the Tech Comm organization, including a new gap funding initiative that he has helped to formulate and the University’s Discovery Capital investment program. 

Rick also provides leadership in partnering with the University of Minnesota Foundation on the Corporate Engagement Center. He serves on the Launch MN Advisory Board for the State of Minnesota and maintains robust partnerships with many Minnesota-focused organizations, including the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Medical Alley, Greater MSP, MNSBIR, and the Mayo Clinic Office of Entrepreneurship.

Before joining Technology Commercialization in 2008, Rick worked for 20 years in the software industry, including executive management with Control Data, OpenVision Technologies, Veritas Software, and Symantec. Rick received a BS in computer science and mathematics from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.

Units & Initiatives

Kimberly Kirkpatrick

Associate Vice President for Research Capacity Building

(612) 625-2046, [email protected]

Kimberly Kirkpatrick (Kim) provides leadership in development, enhancement, management, and review of academic centers and institutes that report to RIO. She also supervises RIO-managed research infrastructure and resources including the Research Animal Resources facilities and Biosafety Level 3 Program. She more broadly oversees University shared research resources, core research services, and related infrastructure. She emphasizes initiatives that enhance interdisciplinary collaborative funding and research opportunities between the health sciences and other units across the UMN system. 
 
Prior to coming to the University, Kim was a Distinguished Professor of Psychological Sciences and Director of the Cognitive and Neurobiological Approaches to Plasticity Center at Kansas State University. She has served as the PI on over $30 million in extramural grants from the National Institutes of Health and other agencies. Her primary line of research examined the neurobiology of impulsive behaviors in rodents. She has 12 years of experience directing animal facilities and over 30 years of research experience with preclinical animal models.

Units & Initiatives

Nate Koewler

Attending Veterinarian

Nate Koewler serves as the Attending Veterinarian (AV) for the Research and Innovation Office, overseeing regulatory compliance, clinical care, and providing consultation to researchers and administrators. These efforts are essential to optimize animal health and welfare while maintaining the university’s high standard of research integrity. In addition to leading the clinical and welfare aspects of systemwide UMN animal care and use, Nate applies years of experience and comprehensive knowledge of regulatory compliance in his roles on the IACUC leadership team, as an IAUCC voting member and medical expert, and as a consultant to stakeholders.

Nate is a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DACLAM) and an Assistant Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota. He has taught in the classroom, developed curriculum, directed an animal residency program, and authored/co-authored numerous publications.