Signature Authority

Some processes require institutional signature. Certain people at the University have been delegated signature authority from the Board of Trustees through the President and senior University officers for certain efforts. This page provides an overview of the signature authority responsibilities and delegates for research-related areas..

Sponsored Programs

Sponsored Programs is responsible for providing the appropriate institutional signature to accept formally the terms and conditions of the award. Investigators are cautioned not to sign University agreements for sponsored support, patents or copyright licenses, biomaterials, equipment loans, materials transfer, or clinical trials. These agreements bind the University to certain obligations and, as such, can be signed only by those who have delegated signature authority from the Board of Trustees through the President and senior University officers.

The list of individuals with signature authority for Sponsored Programs changes periodically. Sponsored Programs will ensure that only authorized individuals sign research-related documentation. Reach out to your central research administrator with any questions.

The Signature Authority for Sponsored Research Financial Reporting is Rachelle Joseph, Assistant Vice President, Sponsored Programs. Departments and principal investigators should work with their appropriate Research Administrator when completing all sponsored research financial reports to ensure said reports are in compliance with sponsor regulations and match our book of record, SAP.

Technology Development

All Licenses, CDAs, and Outgoing MTAs are drafted/negotiated by Technology Development, reviewed/approved by General Counsel, and then signed by Marty Howard, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.

Research Compliance and Environmental Health & Safety

The signatories listed below are senior officials who have the authority to commit BU to legally binding terms and agreements with federal agencies. They are responsible for ensuring that the various research subject protection and other compliance oversight programs function effectively and that the institution provides the resources and support necessary to comply with all applicable requirements. The Associate Vice President for Research Compliance appoints the officials listed below and also all research oversight committee members. In addition to submitting routine regulatory reports, the signatory officials below also report unanticipated problems and non-compliance that is serious and/or continuing to regulating and accrediting agencies.

  • Institutional Official (IO) for the Charles River Campus IRB: Associate Vice President for Research Compliance, Kathryn Mellouk
  • Institutional Official (IO) for the IACUC: Associate Vice President for Research Compliance, Kathryn Mellouk
  • Responsible Official (RO) for the City of Boston’s Public Health Commission laboratory regulations: Associate Vice President for Research Compliance, Kathryn Mellouk
  • Administrative Officer for the Scientific Diving and Small Boat Safety Committee (SD-SBSC): Associate Vice President for Research Compliance, Kathryn Mellouk
  • Institutional Contact for Dual Use Research (ICDUR) for the Dual Use Research Review Committee (DURRC): Associate Vice President for Research Compliance, Kathryn Mellouk
  • Empowered Officials (EO) for export control matters: the Associate Vice President for Research Compliance, Kathryn Mellouk, and the Export Control Officer.
  • The Select Agent Responsible Official serves as primary contact for the CDC and BPHC related to the use of Select Agents. This position is appointed by the Associate Vice President of Research Compliance. Guillermo Madico is the Responsible Official.
  • The Radiation Safety Officer serves as primary contact to the NRC and DPH Radiation Control Program and signs off on BU programs to the regulators. This position is appointed by the Associate Vice President of Research Compliance. Alison Errico is the Radiation Safety Officer.

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