Robin Cyr

Biography

Robin Cyr is an accomplished professional with over 27 years of experience in research compliance, research administration, and leadership roles within academic and healthcare institutions. With a background in psychology and sociology, coupled with a range of certifications and memberships in industry associations, Cyr has demonstrated expertise in developing and overseeing compliance programs, leading multidisciplinary teams, and managing complex research operations. 

Cyr joined Northeastern in March 2020 as the inaugural vice provost for research administration. In this new role, Cyr was charged with leading Northeastern’s recently integrated Research Administration, Research Finance, and Research Compliance offices, collectively known as Northeastern University Research Enterprise Services, or NU-RES, as well as the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and the Human Research Protection Program. Cyr also assumed responsibility for the operations in the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex.   

In August 2022, Cyr’s responsibilities expanded as she assumed oversight of the Office of Academic and Research Safety, which includes the Institutional Biosafety Committee and Radiation Safety. With the opening of EXP in August 2023, operations in Northeastern’s new state-of-the-art multidisciplinary research facility were the most recent addition to her portfolio.   

Since joining Northeastern, the research enterprise has grown from $160.2 million to $285 million and the staffing across the offices has increased from 30 full-time professionals to over 100. This unprecedented growth aligns with Northeastern’s global footprint increasing from seven campuses to 14.   

Professional Experience: 

• University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, NC 

• Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Research Compliance Officer (2016 – 2020) 
• Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Director of the Office of Sponsored Research (2012 – 2016) 

• Partners HealthCare Systems, Inc. 

• Director of Training & Policy, Research Management (2008 – 2011) 

• Brigham & Women’s Hospital 

• Director of Grants & Contracts (2004 – 2008) 

• Cornell University 

• Associate Director, Office of Sponsored Programs (2000 – 2004) 
• Senior Grant & Contract Officer (1997 – 2000) 

Certifications: 

• Leadership Development Program – Center for Creative Leadership (2016) 
• Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) – Compliance Certification Board (2017 – present) 

Professional Memberships: 

• Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA) 
• National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) 
• Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) 
• The Council on Government Relations (COGR) 
• The Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) 

Committee Involvements: 

• Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) Foreign Influence Working Group 2019-present 
• UNC Integrity Advisory Committee 2017-2020 
• FDP Faculty and Administrator Collaborative Team (FACT) 2017-2020 
• COGR Research and Regulatory Reform Committee 2015-2018 

Conference Engagements: 

• Presented at various conferences and professional organization meetings on topics including research compliance, federal regulations, and research integrity