Authored by:
Debra Schaller-Demers
Director, Research Outreach and Compliance
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Email: schalled@mskcc.org
SRA International members rock! As research management and administration professionals, they never stop improving, learning, achieving, or earning new heights of success. We love sharing good news and offering a well-deserved slap on the back for recent personal and/or professional achievement. In keeping with that sentiment, please join with us as we congratulate David Langley, Diego Vazquez & Olaf Svenningsen on their career transitions.
SRA International is a professional networking community of learners. One way to gain knowledge and expertise is to share our stories of successful achievements with our peers and colleagues. Often research managers/administrators are cast in the role of promoting, supporting and applauding others. While this may be gratifying in many respects, it is also healthy to have pride in one’s own accomplishments. Kudos Korner offers SRA International members a wonderful and respectful venue for sharing and “bragging.”
Transitions
David Langley, BSc, PhD (Lond)
Chief Partnerships Officer
New Model in Technology and Engineering (NMiTE)
SRAI member since 2005
Dr. David Langley, has recently joined a new start-up university being established in the UK, the first in many years. Its working name is New Model in Technology and Engineering (NMiTE) and aims to be radically different from traditional engineering programs in that all learning is via 'real world' problem-based groups working and discovery with mentors and professors, each taking a different role on the team. There are no formal exams or lectures and assessment is through student portfolio work. David’s role, as part of the executive leadership team, is Chief Partnerships Officer. He is responsible for Government/Federal relations, employer relations, community/NGO relations and developing continuous professional development. It’s quite a change from leading a 'traditional' Research and Enterprise office which David did for 11 years at University of Bristol, UK. David looks forward to sharing more of the journey ahead with his SRAI colleagues.
Transitions
Diego Vazquez
Associate Vice President for Sponsored Programs Administration
Augusta University
Executive Director, Augusta University Research Institute
SRAI member since 2000
Diego Vazquez has been named Augusta University’s Associate Vice President for Sponsored Programs Administration and Executive Director of the Augusta University Research Institute (AURI). His role became effective on Jan. 22, 2018. “As one of Georgia’s leading research institutions, Mr. Vazquez brings to Augusta University an array of expertise and leadership experience that works perfectly with the vision and mission of our institution,” said Dr. Michael Diamond, Senior Vice President for Research for Augusta University.
As the AVP for Sponsored Programs and Executive Director of AURI, Diego will work closely with Dr. Diamond and other university leaders to advance opportunities for research, training, teaching and scholarly activities for faculty and staff. He will also provide informational and logistical support while ensuring research efforts are compliant with institutional and federal policies and regulations.
Prior to joining Augusta University, Diego worked as Assistant Vice Provost for Sponsored Programs from 2011 to 2018 at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Massachusetts.
He is a Certified Research Administrator with the Research Administrators Certification Council, and has served as Secretary and President of the Southern Section of SRAI.
Diego earned his Bachelor’s degree from Providence College and Master’s degree from George Mason University.
Transitions
Olaf Svenningsen
Head, Research Services
Lund University – Sweden
SRAI member since 2015
On February 1st, Olaf Svenningsen started a new job as Head of Research Services at Lund University in Sweden. This concluded nine years at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) in Odense, and he now commutes every day between two different countries, and two very different research systems. Until May, Olaf will remain the chair of the Danish Association of Research Managers and Administrators (DARMA), but he is rapidly getting involved in a number of Swedish networks (no formal association like SRAI or DARMA exists in Sweden… yet).
Olaf says, “Contrary to popular belief in Scandinavia, Swedish university administration is less hierarchical and more relaxed than its Danish counterpart—although ‘relaxed’ is not an appropriate term to describe research administration in any country."
"Lund University, founded in 1666, is a research-intensive university that is barely twice as big as the 50-year old SDU, but the turnover on research grants is almost ten times bigger at Lund. Research support at SDU and Lund are very different: at SDU, it is decentralized and very focused on providing the best service to researchers, but it is not used by the university management for strategic purposes. Lund University’s Research Services is a primary tool for the university management in research policy and strategy work, while still providing comprehensive services to researchers. Almost all of my coworkers in Lund are involved in both strategic tasks as well as advising researchers, providing a professional depth that impresses me. Several developments, including the construction in Lund of multi-billion Euro European Spallation Source (ESS), the world’s strongest pulsed neutron source; the potential for intensified Danish-Swedish collaboration; but also Brexit and preparations for the next EU research and innovation framework program, makes this a very exciting time to work in Lund.”
Have Something to Share in Kudos Korner?
If you would like to share your story – please see the criteria below with some examples of noteworthy items of interest to the SRA International community that could be submitted to The Kudos Korner:
- Recently published papers (e.g., articles, chapters, books, etc.)
- Presentations (e.g., posters, sessions, workshops, video, web, etc.)
- Professional Awards and Prizes (e.g., grants, contracts, honorary prizes/awards)
- Recently earned degrees or professional accreditation (e.g., CRA, CIP, etc.)
- Other honors (e.g., promotions, contest winners, organizational citations/recognition)
- Transitions (e.g., new jobs, homes, family, retirement)
Please note that we will try and publish as many submissions as possible each month, but SRA International reserves the right to delay publication for future use or to edit and/or omit at its discretion.
Send requests for more information and all submissions via email to Debra Schaller-Demers at schalled@mskcc.org. We will make all attempts to confirm receipt of your submission and inform you of acceptance for publication. Please use this wording in the Subject Line of your email: SRA Kudos
Be sure to include the following information:
- Name (First, Last)
- Degree
- Organization/Affiliation
- Email and phone number if we need more information
- Geographic Location (City, State, Country)
- SRAI Member Since _________ (YYYY)
- A separately attached headshot jpg file
- Description of your honor/accomplishment (limited to 500 words)
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