Dr. Elliott Cheu serves as the Interim Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation and Associate Vice President for University Research Institutes. Prior to joining the office of Research, Innovation and Impact, Elliott served as the interim Dean for the College of Science from 2019 to 2021. Dr. Cheu also helped co-chair the 2018 Strategic Planning process for the University of Arizona. From 2008-2019, he was the Associate Dean for the College of Science and in 2017 helped guide the Honors College as interim Dean.

Dr. Cheu came to the University of Arizona in 1996 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics. During his time here he has built a successful research program studying the fundamental particles and forces in the Universe. He continues to pursue his research at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, where he currently searches for evidence of dark matter.

Sangita Judge is the Vice President of Operations at Research, Innovation and Impact. Dr. Judge has extensive operational and leadership experience. She has a successful track record of driving organizational and cultural transformation in historically conservative educational and clinical settings. She has a PhD in Molecular Cellular Biology/Cancer Biology, a MSc in Microbiology, and a MBA with expertise in basic research, administration, and management. Prior to her current position, she was the Assistant Vice President for Research at the Division of Agriculture, Life & Veterinary Sciences & Cooperative Extension and Assistant Dean, Research for the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences since 2014. Before that she directed the UA College of Medicine Research Office for six years where she developed the basic and clinical research infrastructure.

Kim Patten is Associate Vice President for Research Development at the University of Arizona. She leads a team of research development professionals supporting faculty in their pursuit of extramural funding from federal, corporate, and foundation (through honors and awards) sponsors. Their work has resulted in more than $700 million in awards to the university since 2014. She advocates a holistic view of research development and the research lifecycle, emphasizing societal impacts of research (e.g., the incorporation and promotion of undergraduate research experiences, core community partnerships, and inclusive practices). Kim currently serves on the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP) Board of Directors (Term 2022-2026). Before joining the University of Arizona, Kim managed national and international projects and programs in conservation, renewable energy, and distributed data systems. As associate director at the Arizona Geological Survey, she managed and worked with a $30 million research portfolio, including as co-principal investigator on a $3.6 million National Science Foundation (NSF) project and project manager of a $22 million U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) project. Prior to that, she helped develop the research portfolio of a science-based non-profit organization and secured its first NSF funding.

Lisa Romero leads marketing communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement efforts for the University of Arizona’s research and innovation enterprise. She and her team work broadly within RII and across the entire university to develop and execute a collaborative marketing communications and events portfolio designed to expand awareness of university research impact and thought leadership.

Lisa is a passionate and diligent champion for university researchers, innovators, and initiatives, and focuses her efforts around strategically and consistently communicating how their achievements create societal, economic, and workforce advancement.

Prior to joining the research office, Lisa served as the Executive Director of Public Affairs, Communications and Engagement for the BIO5 Institute from 2012 to 2022, successfully advancing brand impact for the bioscience powerhouse and its nearly 400 interdisciplinary, translation-focused faculty members from colleges, schools, and departments across the university.

She is a proven team and brand builder recognized for her expertise in driving success across large and complex enterprises including academic, scientific, corporate, and non-profit organizations. She has held leadership positions in six other high-profile organizations and has served as a consultant/advisor to many other companies and executives throughout her three-decade career.  As a native Tucsonan, Lisa is highly connected on campus and among key community and statewide stakeholders.

Lisa is a 2013/14 University of Arizona Academic Leadership Institute Fellow, recipient of the 2017 University of Arizona Team Award for Excellence, and a 2023 University of Arizona Woman of Impact. She was appointed in 2024 to serve as a member of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee.