Instructors

Click each profile below to learn more about our presenters.

Joanna Groden, PhD

Vice Chancellor for Research 
University of Illinois Chicago

Dr. Joanna Groden serves as the Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Illinois Chicago where she leads cross campus collaborations and transdisciplinary research initiatives. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research oversees the Offices of Clinical and Human Subjects Research Compliance, Postdoctoral Affairs, Research Data Initiatives and Information, Research Development, Research Integrity and Sponsored Programs, as well as a highly specialized staff of research administrators. Continued investments in process management and IT infrastructure, reorganized shared services, scientific core facility renovations and newly purchased instrumentation have accompanied increases in submitted proposals, research contracts, awards and research expenditures. Under Dr. Groden's leadership, UIC research award dollars have increased 27% to $500M.

 Dr. Groden is a human geneticist and cancer biologist, internationally recognized for her research in determining key genetic causes of colon cancer and other inherited cancers through the identification of human disease genes and their functional characteristics. She was continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for more than 30 years and previously appointed as an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Groden serves and has served on numerous boards and advisory panels, including the NIH National Cancer Institute Board of Scientific Counselors, and actively participates in the peer review process for the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), NIH and many other national and international funding agencies and scientific journals. With numerous publications and patents, Dr. Groden was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and a Fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association. She is a graduate of Middlebury College and Cornell University.

Robert Nobles, DrPH, MPH

Senior Vice President, Health Sciences Enterprise and Research Innovation
Florida A&M University 

Dr. Robert Nobles, DrPH, MPH, joined Florida A&M University as the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences Enterprise & Research Innovation on May 1, 2026. His arrival marked a “homecoming,” as Dr. Nobles received his Bachelors in Molecular Biology and Masters of Public Health degrees from FAMU approximately three decades ago. While at FAMU, Dr. Nobles has the transformational goal of converting FAMU into a Carnegie R1 classified institution, which is the designation for research universities with the highest level of research activity, doctoral programs, and scholarly publications. Dr. Nobles is especially skilled at mobilizing institutions to reach ambitious goals, while maximizing exceptional talent and collaborations to strengthen and architect new and existing programs and opportunities.  

Prior to arriving on the “Hill” of Florida A&M University, Dr. Nobles served as the Vice President for Research Administration at Emory University where he oversaw a $1.1B research enterprise supported by over 500 professionals.  To accomplish more than 50% growth in less than 5 years, he leveraged partnerships across the university and provided strategic and operational direction for all major research administrative functions—from compliance and grant management to technology transfer. Prior to FAMU and Emory, Dr. Nobles held research leadership at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Texas A&M, University of Texas Health Science Center – Houston, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Nationally, Dr. Nobles serves on the Executive Committee of the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP), chairs the finance and audit committee for the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) board of directors, and serves on the Advisory Council of Public Responsibility in Medicine & Research (PRIM&R). He is also the Deputy Director for the SECURE Center, which is a $50M NSF funded national research security initiative. With a doctorate in public health and training in health policy, epidemiology, health economics and molecular biology, Dr. Nobles brings a unique, practical, and strategic approach to research growth and excellence.

Karin Scarpinato, PhD

Executive Vice President for Research 
Kennesaw State University 

Dr. Karin Scarpinato is a dedicated leader in higher education, research, and innovation. As Executive Vice President for Research at Kennesaw State University (KSU), she oversees the university’s research and innovation programs, working to expand opportunities for faculty and students, attract funding, and foster collaborations that drive discovery and innovation. 

With a passion for mentorship and leadership development, Dr. Scarpinato has spent her career helping researchers and institutions succeed. She founded "Women in Research," a national networking group that supports female leaders in research administration. She is the founder and previous president of the Florida Research Development Alliance (Fl-RDA), celebrating its 10th anniversary of strengthening partnerships between universities across the state.

Before coming to KSU, Dr. Scarpinato served as Senior Associate Vice President for Research at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), where she played a key role in successfully advancing the university’s research standing. She has also held leadership positions at the University of Miami, Georgia Southern University, and Wake Forest University, always focusing on creating opportunities for faculty, students, and communities to engage in meaningful research that makes a difference.

A scientist by training, Dr. Scarpinato’s background is in molecular genetics and cancer research, where she studied how DNA repairs itself and how this knowledge could improve cancer treatments. Today, she applies her expertise to helping universities grow their research impact, using data-driven approaches to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Dr. Scarpinato is also an entrepreneur, co-founding two start-up companies focused on teamwork, communication, and research project management. She is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, bringing business-minded strategies to improve research operations. 

Above all, Dr. Scarpinato is passionate about bringing people together to solve big challenges. She believes that research and education should not only advance knowledge but also serve the greater good, whether through medical discoveries, new technologies, or fostering the next generation of innovators.

Diego R. Vazquez, MPA, CRA

Director, Sponsored Research Administration
The Jackson Laboratory

Diego Vazquez serves as Director of Sponsored Research Administration at The Jackson Laboratory, where he leads institutional efforts in research administration and compliance.

Prior to joining The Jackson Laboratory, he held senior leadership roles in research administration, including Associate Vice President for Sponsored Programs and Executive Director of the Research Institute at Augusta University, and Assistant Vice Provost for Sponsored Programs at UMass Chan Medical School.

Diego is an active leader in the national research administration community. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Independent Research Institutes (AIRI) and is a member of its Government Affairs Committee. 

In April 2025, Diego was appointed to the Subject Matter Expert (SME) team convened by the Joint Associations Group (JAG) on Indirect Costs. The team was charged with developing a transparent, auditable alternative for funding Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs associated with federal research grants, resulting in the creation of the Financial Accountability in Research (FAIR) Model.

A Certified Research Administrator since 1999, he has also served on the Board of Directors of the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC), including as Secretary, and is a Past President of the Southern Section of the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI).

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Providence College and a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University.