Vol. 19, No. 14

Dec. 9, 1999

Cos Denson leaves lasting
legacy for UD research

Costel D. Denson, vice provost for research since 1992, will return to his faculty position Feb. 1, having spearheaded numerous improvements in grants processing and efforts to increase sponsored program expenditures, which nearly doubled during his tenure. Denson streamlined the University's grants processing procedures by shifting from paper-based to electronic operations, and he also enhanced relationships with funding organizations, UD President David P. Roselle said. As a result, faculty are better informed of funding opportunities, grant proposals are processed far more rapidly, and UD competes more effectively for research awards. "Cos Denson's good work for UD is immediately apparent to all who use the Internet to seek research funding opportunities, submit proposals or otherwise use technology that was first made available during his tenure in the Office of Research," Roselle said. "These new services and the improvements of existing services seem to me to stand as the campus trademark of his administration of that office." What is less apparent to faculty colleagues, Roselle added, "is the external service of Dr. Denson. He represented the University on a number of national committees and was frequently invited to serve organizations such as the National Science Foundation on committees that addressed national issues of importance to the research community. In all cases, his efforts on such assignments were favorably reviewed and cast the University in a very favorable light." Denson's technological contributions-including a computer-based system that automatically pairs new funding options with appropriate faculty-supported significant growth in the number and size of UD's sponsored programs, Provost Mel Schiavelli said. "Cos' efforts drove much of the increase in external funding for faculty research," he added. "Since research and teaching go hand-in-hand at UD, he also enhanced our academic programs." Sponsored research expenditures have jumped from $51.8 million for fiscal year 1992 to a projected $96 million for FY 2000, he said. In fact, UD would qualify as a "Research I, Doctorate-Granting Institution," under a classification system proposed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Denson's contact with key funding organizations allowed him to stay abreast of their programs, while promoting awareness of UD's research strengths. For example, he chairs the Board of Scientific Counselors, a group assigned by Congress to advise the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In that capacity, Denson has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. He also regularly reports to EPA head Carol Browner on such issues as arsenic in drinking water. Most recently, Denson became one of only three academicians named to serve, with chief executive officers from such corporations as Solutia and Bayer, on the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA) Board Research Committee. The committee will advise the CMA on how best to allocate $25 million annually for human health-related research, Denson explained. A recipient of UD's prestigious Innovation Award, Denson launched a Paperless Proposal Processing (P3) project in 1994 to speed submissions more efficiently through the pipeline. Since then, universities nationwide have adopted similar electronic research administration systems. The UD approach- promoted by Denson, Information Technologies personnel and the late Hugh Campbell-served as a model for systems at other institutions. Today, Denson said, the University's electronic grants management system (GMS) makes it possible to process up to 95 percent of all grant proposals within 48 hours. Faculty also can access funding information on the web or receive relevant notices automatically via e-mail, thanks to Denson and his staff, who championed online versions of such resources as the Federal Register and Commerce Business Daily. The Community of Science database of experts and other electronic resources make information about UD faculty available to potential sponsors, thanks in part to Denson's efforts. In addition to his research-related work, Denson has been recognized for his organizational and management strategies. "Many of us on campus have appreciated his sense of humanity and his caring management style, which supports increased productivity and morale and, therefore, benefits faculty served by his office," the provost said. Originally a paper-heavy, sequential operation, where faculty were required to complete many different steps involving a series of staff members, the Office of Research now offers "one-stop shopping," Denson said. Under the management system he established, faculty work with a single project manager throughout the proposal process. The staffing shift allowed Denson to increase efficiency and promote several staff members to professional positions. With his return to the faculty, Denson said he looks forward to continuing his polymer processing research while teaching undergraduate and graduate students again. In particular, he said he hopes to explore options for human health-related research projects dealing with susceptible subpopulations. Perhaps best known for his studies of extensional flow conditions, in which polymers are stretched to make pliable plastic products, he received his bachelor's degree from Lehigh University, then obtained a master's degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. A native of New Brighton, Pa., Denson earned his doctoral degree in chemical engineering from the University of Utah. As the vice provost for research, "I have been fortunate to work with many outstanding faculty, professional staff and salaried staff, who have all advanced research at the University," Denson said of his administrative tenure. "I am grateful for all their efforts, and look forward to investigating new ways to support the campus community as a faculty member." -Ginger Pinholster