Dr. Kircher leads strategic initiatives and “ecosystem alignment” efforts to drive innovation, economic development, and societal impact. Dr. Kircher previously served as the AVP for Research, where she directed Research & Innovation Office research advancement, external affairs, and strategic initiatives, including engagement with government and public institutions, national labs, corporate entities, and international bodies. She co-founded the Strategic Partnerships and Research Collaborative (now Research Development Office), which works with researchers and practitioners to establish new research projects and programs that catalyze collaboration, innovate for new discoveries, and deliver practical new solutions. Previously, she led the Food Protection and Defense Institute, a research consortium dedicated to protecting the food system.