Debbie Dykhuis named executive director of HRPP

The Office of the Vice President for Research is pleased to announce that Debbie Dykhuis has accepted the position of executive director of the Human Research Protection Program. She’ll begin her new position on Sept. 17, 2012.

Dykhuis brings a wealth of experience to the executive director role. She’s been involved in clinical research at the University of Minnesota since 1992, and in other health education and research roles since 1985. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the U of M.

After serving five years as a coordinator for investigators conducting research in solid organ transplantation and otitis media research, Dykhuis joined the Academic Health Center Research Services Organization when it was formed in 1997 and served as associate director through 2008. She has been a research project manager in the Clinical and Translational Science Institute since 2008.

Throughout her years of research service, Dykhuis has worked with clinical research investigators across the AHC to support the protection of human subjects in the preparation for and implementation of clinical trials.

Dykhuis contributed to the development of a number of research support and compliance initiatives in the AHC, including the Investigational New Drug and Investigational Device Exemption (IND/IDE) Assistance Program; the clinical trial monitoring service; clinical trial budgeting and billing compliance; and good clinical practice training. She has served as a clinical research resource through participation on many committees, as well as through consultation with individual faculty and staff.

“The search committee, chaired by Dr. Susan Berry, did an excellent job,” says Tim Mulcahy, vice president for research. “Their process was extremely thorough and resulted in an exceptional candidate for this position.”