Research Security

Overview – Research Security

UNT Health has established a Research Security Office and Program within the Office of Research Compliance under the Division of Research & Innovation and the strategic direction of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, Dr. Dimitrios Karamichos. The Research Security Office and Program are led by the Assistant Vice President for Research Compliance, Ms. Tania Ghani, who serves as the institution’s Research Security Officer (RSO).

The RSO, designated by the UNT System Board of Regents under Regents Rule 06.903, maintains designated authority for research security compliance and is responsible for policy and program implementation across all UNT Health research activities.

Cross campus support for the program is outlined within the Research Security & HB 127 Working Group.

UNT Health Research Security Policy

UNT Health’s Research Security Program focuses on safeguarding the research enterprise from foreign influence and insider threats, ensuring accurate and transparent disclosures of foreign relationships, appointments, contracts, and support, and protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) when involved in Research Activities along with export-controlled information, restricted sponsor data, and other federally regulated materials. Additionally, the program addresses research-related cybersecurity risks and emerging-technology vulnerabilities to maintain a secure and compliant research environment.

Review the UNT Health Research Security Policy, 8.109.

The policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, postdoctoral researchers, trainees, visiting collaborators, contractors, and any other individuals engaged in Research Activities at or on behalf of UNT Health. This policy applies regardless of funding source, research location, employment status, or citizenship or nationality.

This Research Security Policy operates alongside UNT Health Policy 1.110 International Compliance, which governs export controls, international activities, foreign interactions, and technology transfer.

Together, these policies form an integrated framework for managing foreign engagement, ensuring export-control compliance, protecting the research enterprise, and safeguarding regulated information and data subject to federal, state, or sponsor-imposed security requirements.