To: All RIO Staff
From: Cynthia Carnes, Vice President for Research and Innovation
Subject: Excited to Join RIO!
Date: July 31, 2026
Dear RIO colleagues,
Today marks my official first day as the University of Minnesota's vice president for research and innovation, and I wanted to share how excited and honored I am to join this exceptional team.
The University of Minnesota’s $1.4 billion research enterprise is renowned nationwide, not only for its depth and breadth—spanning five campuses, over 25 colleges/schools and more than 300 research centers and institutes—but for its profound public impact.
Powering Our Mission
The work you do every day within RIO is the bedrock of that success. From navigating increasingly complex research compliance landscapes to fostering interdisciplinary breakthroughs, your dedication directly powers an enterprise that fuels the state's economy and changes lives globally. I am stepping into this role with a deep respect for the momentum you have already built.
As we look toward the future—particularly as we advance the University's Elevate Extraordinary 2030 strategic roadmap—our research environment will only become more dynamic and competitive. Having spent 30 years at The Ohio State University leading research operations and cross-disciplinary initiatives, I know firsthand that a thriving research ecosystem relies entirely on a supported, empowered and forward-thinking staff.
My First Priority: Listening and Learning
My immediate priority in the coming weeks is to listen and learn from you. I want to understand what is working well, where we face bottlenecks, and how we can work together to modernize our systems and better support our faculty, staff and partners. Whether it is leveraging new technologies to streamline operations or finding new pathways for collaboration, my goal is to ensure RIO remains an efficient, world-class operation where you feel valued and equipped to succeed.
Leadership Updates and Next Steps
I would like to thank Joanne Billings for her excellent leadership as interim vice president for research and innovation over the past nine months. Her expertise, dedication and experience provided a steady hand and continuity for RIO during this transition. We are incredibly fortunate that Joanne will remain in RIO in her existing role as associate vice president for research integrity and compliance.
We are also launching a national search for a senior associate vice president for research development and strategy to join our leadership team. This new role will further bolster our ability to champion the University's incredible discoveries across the state, nation, and world.
I will be holding a virtual town hall meeting sometime this fall, which will be an early opportunity for us to connect. We will follow up with a calendar invitation and Zoom link when we have finalized the date.
Thank you for the warm welcome I have already received. I look forward to meeting each of you, hearing your ideas, and embarking on this exciting next chapter together.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Carnes
Vice President for Research and Innovation