Starting December 1, Joanne Billings will serve as the Research and Innovation Office (RIO) interim vice president for research and innovation, taking over for previous VPR Shashank Priya who has transitioned to a new role as founding executive director of the National Security Research Institute.
Billings has spent over 25 years at the University of Minnesota as a faculty member in the department of medicine and as a pulmonologist and critical care physician focusing on the care of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). She has been involved in clinical trials in CF for over 20 years. Billings has served on the University's Institutional Review Board (including as chair) and is currently serving as the associate vice president (AVP) for research integrity and compliance, a role she has held since January 2024.
During her interim appointment, Billings will continue her clinical practice and engagement in her long-standing CF research.
Two additional interim appointments are effective as of December 1:
- April Coon, director of Sponsored Projects Administration, will serve as interim AVP for research administration. A new search for a permanent AVP will restart when the VPR search is well underway.
- Danielle Rintala will serve as interim research integrity officer, stepping into a role previously held by Billings. Rintala will focus on facilitating reviews with external regulatory agencies and ensuring compliance across our research policies and processes.
As interim VPR, Billings will focus on ensuring a smooth transition, supporting RIO's administrative and compliance units, and strengthening internal and external partnerships. A national search for the next permanent VPR will commence this winter.
Learn more about the RIO Leadership Team.