Exploration Groups
Exploration Groups bring together UM researchers from diverse departments to explore the potential for collaborative work on a shared interdisciplinary purpose. Groups are supported for a defined period, known as the Exploration Window.
Develop your collaboration together
How do we form an Exploration Group?
Each group should select one Group Leader and one or more Co-Leaders from different departments. Leaders will:
- Serve as points of contact with ORED Research Development (RD)
- Guide group activities
- Work with ORED RD to employ resources on behalf of the group
- Report on group progress and outcomes to ORED RD
Leaders can apply to form an Exploration Group through the UM InfoReady Review portal, providing details on:
- Team members
- Common purpose
- Support requested
- Proposed Exploration Window
- A means of assessment
What support does ORED RD provide?
ORED RD offers tailored support to Exploration Groups, including:
- Facilitating group communications and meetings
- Providing training and information sessions
- Conducting grant prospecting
- Offering Research Insight access for group leaders
- Limited funding for group activities (available in select cases)
What happens after the Exploration Window?
Exploration Groups are intended to be temporary. Productive groups may evolve into Strike Teams, while those that do not make sufficient progress may disband early. Groups that remain active and engaged through their Exploration Window will complete their work at that time, with renewal possible in certain cases.
How is progress tracked?
ORED RD will track each group from formation through completion, reporting on outcomes such as the creation of Strike Teams, submission of full funding proposals, and awards resulting from the group’s work.
Ongoing Supported Exploration Groups
Exploration Window: 05/10/2023 – 05/09/2024, extended to 8/31/2025
Leaders:
- Stephanie Miller, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of Experimental Graduate Program
- John Bentley, Professor of Pharmacy Administration and Director of the Center for Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management
- Lucas Gago Galvagno, Universidad de Buenos Aires
- Angel Elgier, Universidad de Buenos Aires
Closed Exploration Groups
Exploration Window: 3/17/2021 – 3/21/2022
Leaders:
- Dr. Eden Tanner, Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Dr. Jason Paris, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology
Exploration Window: 06/16/2021 – 08/01/2022
Leaders:
- Alexander Lopez, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering
- Alice Steimle, Instructional Assistant Professor of Teacher Education and Director for the Center for and Science Education
Exploration Window: 06/16/2021 – 08/01/2022
Leaders:
- Sujith Ramachandran, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Administration and Assistant Director of the Center for Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management
- John Young, Professor pf Psychology
- John Bentley, Professor of Pharmacy Administration and Director of the Center for Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management
- Hannah Allen, Assistant Professor of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management
- Erin Cromeans, W Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing, Assistant Director for Wellness Education
- Sandra Bentley, Director of the Student Pharmacy and Clinical Assistant Professor in Pharmacy Practice
Exploration Window: 07/26/2021 – 07/25/2022
Leaders:
- Eden Tanner, Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Davita Watkins, Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Thomas Werfel, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Affiliate Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering and Joint Assistant Professor of Biomolecular Sciences
- Adam Smith, Chair and Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering and Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Exploration Window: 10/20/2021 – 10/20/2022
Leaders:
- Jaime Harker, Director of the Isom Center and Professor of English
- Amy McDowell, Associate Professor of Sociology
- Eva Payne, Assistant Professor of History
Exploration Window: 01/10/2022 – 09/01/2022
Leaders:
- Angela Rutherford, Professor of Teacher Education, Director of the Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction
- Joey Rutherford, Assistant Director of the Center for Research Evaluation
Exploration Window: 02/14/2022 – 01/15/2023
Leaders:
- Kris Belden-Adams, Associate Professor of Art & Art History
- Yixin Chen, Professor of Computer & Information Science
Exploration Window: 4/9/2021 – 5/31/2022, extended to 6/30/2024
Leaders:
- Dr. JT Thomas, Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology
- Dr. Simone Delerme, Associate Professor of Anthropology and McMullan Associate Professor of Southern Studies
Exploration Window: 08/19/2022 – 08/18/2023
Leaders:
- Brenda Prager, Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Education, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering
- Charles (Clay) Dibrell, Chair of Entrepreneurial Excellence, Professor of Management
- Alice Steimle, Director for the Center of Mathematics and Science Education, Instructional Assistant Professor of Teacher Education
- Sarah Mason, Director of the Center for Research Evaluation, Instructional Assistant Professor of Higher Education
- Amy Wells Dolan, Associate Dean and Professor of Higher Education
- Scott Kilpatrick, Executive Director of the Center for Manufacturing Excellence
- Ahmed Al-Ostaz, Director of Graphene Research and Innovation and Professor of Civil Engineering
- Kristen Swain, Associate Professor of Journalism
Exploration Window: 11/30/2022 – 11/29/2023
Leaders:
- Seena Haines, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of Professional Wellbeing and Belonging
- Lynn Wilkins, Work-Life Resources Program Manager
- Stuart Haines, Director of the Division of Pharmacy Professional Development and Professor of Pharmacy Practice
- Nicholas McAfee, Asst. Professor of Psychiatry, Univ of MS Medical Center
- Joshua Mann, Chair, SOM-Preventive Medicine, Univ of MS Medical Center
Questions? We can help.
Mary Lea McMillan
- Program Manager
Kendra Sampey
- Research Administration Advisor