December 13, 2016
University Research Compliance Office hires export controls specialist
Rose Ndegwa has joined the University Research Compliance Office to help ensure K-State faculty and staff are following a complex set of federal regulations.
Ndegwa will serve as K-State's export controls compliance officer. Export controls regulate the shipment or transfer of controlled items, software, technology, or services out of the U.S. as well as release of certain information to foreign nationals in the U.S. Interrelated rules developed by a network of federal agencies regulate these different types of exports, and noncompliance with export controls can result in severe fines and criminal penalties as well as the loss of funding and other research contracts.
Cheryl Doerr, associate vice president for research compliance, said Ndegwa is filling a crucial role because export controls apply to many areas.
"Export controls apply to research, hiring, travel, conferences overseas, and international travel. So many units of the university are affected. You can't focus on just one office, department or college," Doerr said.
Growing research at K-State because of 2025 goals has necessitated growth of research infrastructure.
"We have support from our leadership because they understand the partnership of compliance with research," Doerr said.
Ndegwa was previously the export controls coordinator at Texas A&M for six years. She moved to the field of export controls after working for a livestock research organization in intellectual property management. She holds bachelor's degrees in botany and zoology and master's degrees in intellectual property and leadership studies.
Ndegwa will emphasize developing a program to help faculty and staff navigate the intricacies of these complex regulations.
"I'm excited about bringing the pieces we have together and building a robust program. It's an exciting challenge, and I look forward to working with K-State faculty," Ndegwa said.