Robert Butera to Lead Research Operations as Chief Research Operations Officer

Robert Butera has been named Chief Research Operations Officer (CROO) for Georgia Tech, effective immediately. In this inaugural position, Butera will serve in a critical leadership role to facilitate and direct the Institute’s research activities and oversee Research Integrity Assurance, Research Administration, and Research Development and Operations as part of the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR). Butera brings nearly 25 years of experience at Georgia Tech to his new role, drawing on his most recent experience as vice president for research and development operations.  

“I look forward to serving in this privileged position in order to take our research enterprise to the next level, supporting and scaling our activities as we grow,” said Butera. “I am proud to partner with the EVPR in critical matters to ensure the future of our research operations, compliance, and administration.”  

As CROO, Butera will work to optimize research operations, improve compliance, and support infrastructure improvements, including the identification and implementation of best practices to enhance research efficiency and productivity at Georgia Tech. He will also represent Georgia Tech in the broader national and global conversations regarding research policy, operations, and administration.  

Butera will partner with the EVPR in developing and articulating a long-term research vision and strategy consistent with the aspirations of the Institute Strategic Plan and Research Next – the Institute’s vision for the future of Georgia Tech’s research enterprise. 

“We are excited to have Dr. Butera serve in this important new role as we continue to experience unprecedented growth at the Institute,” said Chaouki T. Abdallah, executive vice president of Research for Georgia Tech. “We must be able to scale our operations, bolster our efficiencies, and improve our services, while we address the increasing research compliance and security related to our research awards and expenditures. I have full confidence that Rob is the right person to help us succeed.”