Noah Curtis named director of operations & administration for the BIO5 Institute
The BIO5 Institute welcomes Noah Curtis, as its new director of operations and administration, effective July 21, 2025.
Noah Curtis, MAcc
Noah Curtis brings more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education administration, with deep expertise in strategic financial stewardship, organizational development, and cross-functional collaboration.
“Noah brings a combination of strategic insight, deep institutional knowledge, and a commitment to operational excellence that will be invaluable as we continue to grow BIO5’s impact across the university and beyond,” BIO5 interim director Vignesh Subbian said. “I am confident that his leadership will help strengthen our culture of transparency and collaboration, and empower our teams to support bold, interdisciplinary research.”
In this role, Curtis will provide leadership for the operational and administrative infrastructure of the BIO5 Institute, supporting a diverse community of faculty, staff, and strategic partners.
He will oversee internal business operations, financial strategy, and personnel management, helping to ensure that BIO5 continues to deliver on its mission to improve health, education, and economic development through collaborative research and innovation.
“I am incredibly excited and honored to accept the role of director of operations and administration for the BIO5 Institute,” Curtis said. “It is a privilege to join such a dynamic and impactful team. I look forward to helping support the incredible work our members and staff continually contribute to the research, teaching, and outreach missions of the university.”
Curtis most recently served as manager of finance for the Office of Research and Partnerships (ORP) at the University of Arizona, where he led the development of enterprise systems and reporting tools to support research operations across more than 40 departments. His prior roles include operations director for ORP Core Facilities and senior business manager positions supporting colleges, departments, and large-scale research initiatives across campus.
The BIO5 Institute also extends sincere gratitude to Kate Riley, retiring director of finance, operations, and research administration, for her dedication and leadership during this period of transition. Her more than 21 years of dedicated service to BIO5 have been instrumental in shaping the institute’s growth and success.