Board of Directors - Candidates

As MSK’s Senior Director, Research Outreach and Compliance, Debbie has more than 17 years’ leadership experience in research integrity and compliance. She also works as an adjunct lecturer for CUNY’s School of Professional Studies online graduate program in Research Administration and Compliance, teaching Introduction to Research Compliance, Ethics, and Integrity.

She is a Past-president of SRAI's Northeast Section, recipient of the SRAI Excellence Award - Intermediate Level and SRAI Hartford-Nicholsen Award (2011), and former SRAI Catalyst Editor and current content contributor. She served as the Education and Professional Development Committee (EPDC) Co-chair for three years and currently serves as EPDC programming working group Chair for both Research Ethics/Compliance and Leadership/Professional Development. She is a frequent facilitator, content creator, and/or track leader in Research Ethics/Compliance or Leadership/Professional Development at annual, section, chapter meetings, and training programs and was inducted as SRAI Distinguished Faculty in 2012. She served on the SRAI Board of Directors from 2012-15 and as Co-chair of the 2012 Annual Meeting in Orlando. Starting in 2019, Debbie will serve as a curriculum chair for the new Micro-credentialing program. In addition to all she has created and presented for SRAI, Debbie has presented nationally and globally at ARMA (UK), WCRI (Rio; Amsterdam, Hong Kong), INORMS (Melbourne; Edinburgh), PRIM&R, ARIO, CAREB (Montreal), EARMA (Bologna), and as a webinar presenter for CARA (CA). She also serves on the Association of Research Integrity Officers (ARIO) communications committee.

Debbie has authored research integrity articles for SRAI’s Journal of Research Administration, the SRA International Symposium (Best Paper Winner in 2005, 2007, 2010) and Research Global Magazine. She has written a book chapter entitled: “Building a Responsible Conduct of Research Program to Sustain an Institutional Culture of Research Integrity and Compliance,” for a research compliance textbook (2015). She has a background in graphic and fine art, conflict resolution, public education advocacy and holds a Master of Science Degree in Organization and Management.

Dominic Esposito, M.S., CRA, has been in the field of research administration since 1997 and currently serves as the Director of Sponsored Programs Administration at Farmingdale State College (FSC) of the State University of New York (SUNY). Dominic received a Master of Science in Computer Science from Lehman College and met the requirements to become a Certified Research Administrator in 2009. Prior to his arrival at FSC he served as an Electronic Research Administration Specialist and Associate Director at Lehman College, Project Associate on a U.S. Department of Education GEAR UP grant Director of Operations and Research at the CUNY Institute for Demographic Research, Inaugural Director of Grants Administration at Manhattan College, Director of Sponsored Programs and Research (SPAR) at Baruch College and Director of Corporate, Foundation and Government Relations at The College of New Rochelle. Dominic is currently an At-Large Board Member, was the President of the Northeast Section and co-chaired the highly successful Northeast/Southern Section Meeting that took place in New York City in February of 2016 and was attended by over 400 members. He regularly attends and presents at SRAI section and national meetings and is always seeking to enhance the research administration profession by sharing information with his peers and inviting them to participate in professional development activities. Dominic regularly explores collaborative efforts with his SRAI colleagues strongly believes that SRAI is the industry standard in delivering top-quality educational material to a national network of research administration professionals.

Over 30 years ago, I became a Research Administrator, only I didn't know that's what I was at the time. It wasn't identified as such in my job title (manager) or in the job description (post-award accounting). I don't think it was unusual then and may not be now, but I really felt naive at the time as I transitioned from a career in education (primarily teaching) into one of administration. After these many years, I think of myself as lucky to have stumbled into the field (yes, it seems to be by accident).

Early on I became a member of SRAI. I learned of the Society because of a brochure for a meeting that crossed my desk at a time when I knew I had a lot to learn. The program covered a wide array of topics that were useful to me and that I wasn't finding elsewhere. I was so impressed by the caliber of the meeting that I joined and attended as many meetings as I could. I did learn and continue to do so. I credit the opportunities I have had to advance to what I learned on the job (of course) and by attending SRAI meetings.

In 2009, a Section meeting was being held in my location and I responded to a call for volunteers. It has been an upward trajectory in SRAI ever since, volunteering and sometimes being "voluntold" when someone was needed to step up. Beginning with chairing the silent auction for the Northeast Section to being on the Membership Committee to holding elected offices (Treasurer, President Elect, and President) in the Section and as a Board Member-At-Large, I have learned, grown professionally, and made many good friends.

These are exciting times for us as Research Administrators . As an organization that is little more than fifty years old, SRAI is engaged in initiatives that will lead the field, advance the profession, and increase learning opportunities. I have been pleased to be a part of some of it.

I am running for President Elect to give back for what I have gained by being part of the Society. Becoming President Elect would be the capstone of my career. I hope to work with you to continue the work SRAI has done to advance our profession. I appreciate your consideration.

Kathy Harris has been an active member of SRAI since 1999. She has served as Treasurer and President of the Western Section in addition to participating on several committees and numerous Section and Annual Meeting Program Committees. Currently she is a member of the Development and Finance Committee and the Chair of the Audit Committee.

She received her degree in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting from California Poly Pomona. She retired last year from the March of Dimes Foundation after nine years as Director of Sponsored Programs and 10 years as Director, Grants and Finance for a large-scale research program. Prior to this she worked in education, government, and CPA firms. Overall, she has 35 years in accounting and finance which includes 25 years in research administration.

Working in a non-profit she understands the importance of the board and the responsibilities of the board members. She is committed to SRAI’s mission and will strive to provide outstanding financial administration to the board and its members.

Dr. Susan Wyatt Sedwick is a senior consulting specialist with over 25 years of experience in research administration. She retired in 2015 as an associate vice president for research and director of the Office of Sponsored Projects at The University of Texas at Austin, where she was responsible for both pre- and post-award financial administration units with oversight of over $630 million in annual sponsored projects expenditures. Prior to her tenure at UT Austin, she served in a similar capacity at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, where she also had responsibility for research compliance. She received her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Texas A&M University and is a Certified Research Administrator (CRA). She is an adjunct professor for the masters of research administration program at Johns Hopkins University and has held previous academic appointments as a clinical professor in the Department of Educational Administration for the Higher Education Administration Program at The University of Texas at Austin and as an adjunct professor for Rush University in Chicago and The University of Oklahoma, Norman. Dr. Sedwick is a frequent speaker on the topic of research data security, export controls as they apply to universities, human capital development, and strategic planning. She has authored numerous publications including the chapter on export controls included in the NCURA/AIS publication, Sponsored Research Administration: A Guide to Effective Strategies and Recommended Practices.

Dr. Sedwick served as chair of Phase V of the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP), as a member of the initial strategic planning committee and as co-chair of the Membership Committee. She was active in the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) having served on the Board of Directors, Research Compliance and Administration, and Contracts and Intellectual Property Committees, Uniform Guidance working group, nominating committee and chair of the export controls working group. She was a co-chair for the annual international meeting of the Society for Research Administrators International (SRAI) being held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in October 2017, is a current at-large member of the Board of Directors, served as a member of the executive committee in 2018 and received SRA International Distinguished Faculty designation in 2017. She received the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) Distinguished Service Award in 2012 and the NCURA Region V Distinguished Service Award in 2014. She has served that organization as an at-large representative to the national Board of Directors, as chair of the Professional Development Committee and as a member of the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee.

She is a graduate of Leadership Texas, a past trustee for the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation, and founding president of the FDP Foundation. She is co-chair of the National Science Foundation Business and Operations Advisory Committee. She was recognized as the 2012-2013 distinguished alumnae by the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Hall of Honor.

Andrea Deaton is the Associate Vice President for Research and Executive Director of the Office of Research Services at the University of Oklahoma – Norman Campus where she is responsible for ensuring the continuity of daily operations of all pre-award functions related to the administration of sponsored research and creative activities for the Norman campus and related programs on the Tulsa campus.

Andrea received her Masters degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma and is a Certified Research Administrator. She is an active member of the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI), holds the SRAI designation of Distinguished Faculty, and currently serves as the co-chair for the SRAI Distinguished Faculty sub-committee. Andrea served as the SRAI Southern Section President in 2008- 2009 and as an Annual Meeting Co-Chair in 2016. She is the University’s administrative representative to the Federal Demonstration Partnership, and has served on various committees within this organization.

I am honored to be a candidate for the Board of Directors of SRAI. I love research administration and my involvement with SRAI and want to continue to pay it forward and help others advance their career in research administration. Understanding our work is much easier when we network with our peers, and I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues at the International Board level to promote education, collaboration and networking for all our SRAI members.

I have gained my experience through the lens of multiple institutions in Oregon, Colorado, Arizona and Washington, working with researchers from a wide variety of academic disciplines including biomedical, biological and environmental sciences, psychology, nursing, computer science, engineering, education, business, agriculture, and arts. I have supported researchers as a Pre-Award, Post-Award, and Departmental Administrator at land-grant and non-land-grant academic institutions, some with very high research classification, a not-for-profit research institute, and a hospital. I am now on the Vancouver campus of Washington State University as a Pre-Award/Proposal Development Administrator - finally finding my niche after over 20 years in the research administration field. While we are part of a larger, very high research level university, we also function much like a primarily undergraduate institution, providing a broad and somewhat unique perspective of research administration.

As a member of SRAI since 2011, I have served in a number of leadership roles. I am currently serving as Immediate Past President of the Western Section, and have also served as the Secretary/Treasurer and President-Elect/President of the Western Section as well as President of the Pacific Northwest Chapter. I am also a member of the SRAI Membership Committee (formerly a co-Chair), and have attended every Annual and Western Section meeting since fall 2014, obtaining four SRA Certificates since 2011 - Pre-Award, Research Law, Clinical Trials and Grantsmanship.

As we all know, to be effective research administrators and advance our careers, we must continually update our knowledge base. I have a personal commitment to life-long learning and would like to expand this commitment to help SRAI grow, thrive, and provide our members with the best possible learning opportunities. With a broad range of personal and SRAI experience, I look forward to the opportunity to pay it forward and serve on your SRAI Board of Directors.

Thank you for your support!

Dave King is currently Senior Associate University Counsel with 40 years of experience at the University of Louisville (UofL). He provides legal support for sponsored research, technology transfer/commercialization, intellectual property, research integrity/research misconduct, open records, conflict of interest, human subjects’ research, biosafety, privacy, information security, institutional compliance, distance education, international memoranda of agreements, technology related procurement, research foundation (ULRF) personal services contracts and university policy review. Dave began his career at UofL in the information technology organization including positions in database management, administrative computing, technical support, information security and account management, and multiple project management and leadership roles. He moved to research administration in late 2000 with a joint appointment with University Counsel. He established the new Office of Industry Contracts within research administration serving as its Director from 2001- 2013. In his role as the Director of the Office of Industry Contracts, he and his team reviewed and negotiated sponsored research agreements, clinical trials, service agreements, and other research contracts with industry including SBIR and STTR programs. He provided the leadership and management as the unit grew from two individuals to fifteen and took on additional responsibilities including all sponsored clinical trial agreements (including NIH proposal submissions and coordination with three affiliated hospitals.) In September 2013, Dave transitioned full time to Counsel’s office initially as Assistant University Counsel, then Associate University Counsel and now Senior Associate University Counsel.

Dave received his Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and a Master of Engineering in Computer Science from the University of Louisville. He subsequently received his Juris Doctor while working at UofL in 1986. He also has a part time adjunct appointment in the Computer Engineering and Computer Science department co-teaching a class focusing on ethics and legal issues in information technology.

Dave joined the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) in 2004. He regularly attends the annual meeting conferences and has been a regular speaker since the Milwaukee Annual Conference in 2005. He joined the ranks of SRAI’s Distinguished Faculty in 2013 and was renewed in 2016 for the second 3-year term. He has served as a co-track chair of the Research Law track and the associated program committee of the annual conference since 2010. He has been a member of the Education and Professional Development Committee (EPDC) and its subcommittee which reviewed Distinguished Faculty and Speaker Bureau applications, and currently serves as one of the reviewers for the Research Law Certificate.

In addition to his activities with SRAI, Dave was a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) CLE Sponsored Research and Technology Transfer Workshop Planning Committees in 2014, 2016 and 2018 as well as a speaker at each of these conferences and a member of the NACUA Committee on Legal Education (Sep 2014 – current.) He made multiple presentations and/or conducted workshops at Model Agreements and Guidelines International (MAGI) Clinical Research Conferences (2005-2015.)

Dave welcomes this opportunity to expand his service role with SRAI as an at-large member of the SRAI Board of Directors to continue SRAI’s growth in supporting research administration professionals. He looks forward to working with the other Board members and sharing ideas, as a research administrator and legal counsel supporting research administration.

MaDonna Perry is currently a Sr. Financial Analyst for the Dean's office at the Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering where she has been for the last four years. Prior to her current position, she was employed at University of Maryland, Baltimore and Johns Hopkins University. MaDonna began her career in Research Administration back in 2002 at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine as an Administrative Program Coordinator. She work her way up to Administrative Manager (2004) before leaving to go to University of Maryland. There she went from Sr. Grants and Contract Manager (2007) to Program Administrator (2012) before returning to Johns Hopkins.

MaDonna has been an active member of SRA International since 2005 and has serve as inaugural President for the newly formed Chesapeake Chapter. MaDonna has also served as a member of the Membership committee for many years, just recently stepping down in 2018. She has also volunteered as a Newcomer Ambassador since the program's inception and served as a room monitor at every annual meeting she has attended. MaDonna has been a session presenter at many annual and section meetings, and has presented both a half and full day workshop.

MaDonna's varied and extensive background and her dedication to the Society will be an asset to performing the duties of the Member at Large for the Board of Directors.

Kevin Titus is currently serving a one year appointment on the SRAI Board as an appointed member, representing Sections. He’s been an active member of the Midwest section and SRA International, serving as a thread chair, track co-chair for multiple section and annual meetings, and is a member of the Educational & Professional Development Committee. He currently serves as the President for the Midwest section and was previously the Midwest Section Treasurer. In 2012, he received the Midwest Section Newcomers Award. In 2016 he received the Annual Meeting Best Concurrent Session Award. He is also a member of the SRAI Distinguished Faculty. In addition, Kevin serves on the Departmental Administration working group and the Clinical Translational Working group for SRAI.

Mr. Titus has been an active research administer since joining Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in 2008. His prior professional work included being the CEO at Red Cross chapters in the Midwest and South Carolina. In his current role as the business director for the divisions of Allergy & Immunology and Asthma Research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, he oversees a variety of research grants from a diverse group of funding agencies within two distinct departments/divisions at the nation’s second largest pediatric research institution.

He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of Akron and an MBA from the University of Illinois at Springfield and is an accomplished public speaker. His executive leadership has been honed over the years with a variety of successful leadership roles as both an employee and volunteer leader. He’s also been a formal and informal mentor for other executives; providing others with wisdom learned from his mistakes.

Kevin has presented in front of international audiences for decades on a variety of topics and has been an instructor, instructor-trainer and a preceptor for instructor-trainers. His presentations have covered a variety of topics such as philanthropy, philanthropy in research, media relations, accounting, leadership, mentoring, research accounting in departments, and much more. He has also served on the boards of directors for five different 501(c)3 organizations in the past.

I am an accomplished Business and Financial Manager who is responsible for the financial, contractual and regulatory oversight of the Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium (TBCRC) at the Johns Hopkins University. The TBCRC is a collaborative breast cancer research organization comprised of 19 large academic medical institutions in the US.

I became an employee of the Johns Hopkins University in 1992 as an Academic Coordinator in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Over the past 27 years I have expanded my professional growth and knowledge in the areas of research administration, financial management and leadership. My dedication, hard work and enthusiasm for research administration have contributed to my career growth.

I became a member of the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) in 2005. The organization has been a valued part of my educational and professional development and has played a key role in the advancement of my career over the years.

• President of the Northeast Section (2017-2019)
• Clinical Research Track Chair of the Northeast Section (2016-2017)
• Planning Committee Member of the Northeast Section (2014-present)
• Treasurer of the Northeast Section (2015-2017)
• Secretary of the Chesapeake Chapter (2014-2015)
• Membership Chair of the Northeast Section (2010-2015)

I have assisted with various other meeting committees such as newcomers, hospitality, dinner groups, silent auction, program book and vendors/sponsorship. I have also served as a speaker for the organization sharing my knowledge and training with others.

As a member of SRAI it has been a privilege to meet new people, foster collaborations, expand my professional and educational development and participate in all the wonderful educational and volunteer opportunities that SRAI has to offer. I am very dedicated to the mission of SRAI to develop, define and promote best international practices in research management.

It would be an honor and privilege to serve the members and leadership of SRAI as an At-Large Board member on the Board of Directors. My background in research administration, financial management, leadership and strong inter-personal skills will serve me well in this position.

Anne Schauer, MA, CRA is the Director of Research and Sponsored Programs at Miami University (in Ohio) where she has been since 2004. She earned her MA in Leadership in Human Service Administration from Bradley University in 1998, and her CRA in 2007.

Anne has been in Research Administration for over 26 years at institutions including a small PUI, a major research university with a medical school, a university affiliated children's hospital, and a research-intensive university. Her entire career has been in a pre-award central office--most with no departmental level support, and one where she was a "one-woman show." Anne has been involved with SRA since 1993 and has presented numerous sessions and workshops at Chapter, Section and National meetings. She received the Best Paper Award in 1998 for her paper entitled "Attitudes of Faculty at a Predominantly Undergraduate Institution Towards Involvement in Grant-Related Activities," and the Rod Rose Award in 1999 for her article in the SRA Journal of Research Administration with the same title. Anne has serves as President of the both Ohio Chapter and Midwest Section, and as Treasurer for the Ohio Chapter; as track co-chair for multiple section and national meetings; on the EPDC certificate subcommittee; and as a Pre-Award Certificate Reviewer Anne was named to the Speaker's Bureau in 2016 and honored as Distinguished Faculty in 2017, and has been a co-presenter for the Basics of Research Administration 3-day Workshop.

In her spare time, Anne is a glass artist--creating stained glass, fused glass, and lampwork glass beads and jewelry--and spends a majority of her weekends in the spring and fall at art shows selling her work.