CEO reports favorable legislative outcomes for CPRIT, staffing additions and capital budget for grant-management platform

CPRIT Chief Executive Officer Kristen Doyle briefed the oversight committee on the agency's legislative outcomes, staffing plans and near-term priorities.

Doyle said the 2025 legislative session was "a good session for CPRIT," reporting that three exceptional item requests were submitted and that 10 FTEs were included in base bills. She told members that those additional positions include new roles such as a data scientist, an intellectual-property database position and an events/relations role to support outreach.

Doyle also thanked the committee for adding a capital budget request in March that will allow CPRIT to pursue purchase and implementation of a new grant-management platform without waiting two more years. She said the capital budget item will enable faster procurement and implementation steps and pointed out the agency expects to discuss the grant-management platform work in coming meetings.

Doyle noted personnel transitions: the reappointment of Cindy Paine, and announced that Chief Scientific Officer Michelle LeBeau and Chief Prevention Officer Ramona Magid plan to transition out of their current roles (LeBeauthis will be her last oversight committee meeting, Magid will remain through summer). Doyle also recognized accountant Michelle Huddlestona long-time staff memberfor retirement after 46 years of state service.

Doyle closed by saying CPRIT will begin planning for FY2027 and will step up communications about CPRIT's programs and accomplishments following the end of the legislative session.