Award Recipients

I was honored and humbled even to be nominated for the award: winning the award is a highlight of my career. This award says I made a difference in the profession of research administration and in SRAI: a profession I fell into 40 years ago and have been passionate about ever since, and a Society that has given me amazing connections, colleagues, and opportunities throughout my career.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? I believe the most impactful thing I've done was my involvement in the development and implementation of uniform checklists at the National Institutes of Health to ensure that the Program Officers and Grants Management Specialists from the different Institutes and Centers used identical tools to review and monitor both competing and noncompeting awards. But the most rewarding thing I've done (and do) is teaching in front of a room of research administrators or researchers...getting them excited (and hopefully more confident) about what they do, and how and why they do it.

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It’s truly humbling just to have been nominated for the Hartford-Nicholsen Award. Then, to see what was written in my letters of support from some great leaders in SRAI and the field of Research Administration, including prior Hartford-Nicholsen Award winners, it was even more humbling. I literally got goose bumps. Like many others that have come before me have said, SRAI has given back to me more than I’ve put in (and I’ve put in a lot). I enjoy the fellowship that SRAI offers and sharing what I’ve learned over the years so that others can learn from my mistakes. I have a very strong belief that we have an obligation to share accumulated knowledge and experience. I still tend to consider myself more of a young novice in research administration. I’ve only recently started to embrace the notion that I’m starting to become one of the senior leaders in this profession. However, to be clear: I’m a member of AAA, not AARP and it’s not grey hair, it’s sun-bleached and I don’t have any grandkids. I’ve had some great role models, teachers and mentors in SRAI. Without their encouragement, meaningful feedback, inspiration and motivation I would not be being recognized. I’ve emulated others’ service and I owe this award to all of them.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? I am most proud of the training that I’ve created and provided in areas not typically highlighted in research administration. I’ve used my professional experience to create original material and present sessions on crisis communications for research administrators and the use of philanthropy and other non-grant funding to support research.

I am extremely humbled and honored to receive this award from SRAI. I have strived very hard to act as a role model, mentor, and ambassador for SRAI over the past 20+ years and will continue to do so. It means so much to me that SRAI is presenting me with the Hartford-Nicholsen Award and I greatly appreciate it. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? The combined section meeting that the Northeast and Western Sections did in Honolulu, Hawaii in 2017.

It’s an honor to be recognized by my peers who supported my nomination and by the committee who reviewed my nomination. Winning this award from an international society of research administration experts is humbling. I am very grateful to SRAI and all its wonderful members for valuing and recognizing my work and service.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? Working with SRAI members from around the world has been a very rewarding experience. Whether it’s been on SRAI committees or serving in leadership roles for the Journal of Research Administration, I have engaged with SRAI members that are always willing to work together to get any job done. That teamwork and seeing major tasks come to completion has been very enjoyable and rewarding.

I am honored to receive the Excellence Award – Advanced Professional from the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) and to join the esteemed group of research administrators who have accepted this award in prior years. I appreciate the nomination and support of my Director of Sponsored Programs, Laura Kingsley, and the SRAI Awards Committee who selected me for this award. Being recognized for my contributions to research administration is a highlight of my career. This award symbolizes the support and opportunities that I have been afforded by the Senior Vice Chancellor for Research and the leadership of the University of Pittsburgh along with the staff and faculty who have been receptive to change and embraced it. Without all of these, progress in research administration would not have been possible.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? In my role as Vice Chancellor for Sponsored Programs and Research Operations, I have the privilege of influencing research administration and leading change. One of the impactful accomplishments that I am most proud of is leading the University of Pittsburgh-wide initiative of moving pre-award functions from paper-driven processes to electronic ones through the implementation of an electronic research management solution. In addition to the efficiencies and transparency gained by these changes, the most impactful value was realized during the COVID-19 pandemic, when pre-award work could be achieved seamlessly by staff at remote locations.

I feel truly honored to be recognized by SRAI, especially knowing there are so many people involved with the organization. I consider myself to be very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be involved with SRAI's communication efforts and to have met all the great individuals along the way, both those on the podcast committee, but also all the people I've been able to interview, too. I feel absolutely humbled also to have been entrusted with helping to get SRAI's Shop Talk podcast off the ground. It's been a great project.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? I feel absolutely humbled but also proud to have been entrusted with helping to get SRAI's Shop Talk podcast off the ground. It's been a great project and I feel so lucky to have worked with such a talented group via the Podcast Committee as well as the Communications Committee. I also have so enjoyed the opportunity to interview people across the US, but also as far away as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

It is a great honor to receive the award. I think this is the most beautiful badge I will have in my career history.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? We have implemented and designed System solutions for the research office which are liked almost by all the users and have made the research management more systematic and easy.

I would like to begin by extending a thank you to organizers who recognized and awarded me the John Robinson Travel award to enable me to attend the 2022 SRAI Annual Meeting. I also wish to extend a thank you to the organizers of the 2022 SRAI Annual Meeting in general for their untiring efforts and dedication.

Thank you kindly for this acknowledgement, having considered me worthy of this Award. Not only does winning the John Robinson Travel Award make me feel proud, it is an opportunity to boost the reputation of my institution, Makerere University and cement credibility in the field of research management.

My colleagues, with great joy, learned that I won the SRAI John Robinson Travel Award and are also appreciative. This award will encourage my fellow researchers and administrators to choose and stay loyal to Makerere University. I feel greatly honored because this award increases our chances of building and strengthening partnerships and collaborations with international research administrators and institutions. I feel more energized to create new opportunities and expand on the existing network of young researchers within and beyond Makerere University.

I feel very encouraged by this recognition and am happy to learn especially from SRAI that my skills have improved since I joined because it was on this basis that you recognized and gave me the awarded.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?  Winning this award is and opportunity and accomplishment of my untiring efforts and past three years persistence in applying for travel awards to attend SRAI.

I am a fellow on the IREX’s University Administration Support Program (UASP) Fellowship in Research Management. The fellowship activities are designed to support participants in building their universities into leading research institutions that impact their communities and beyond. Following my one year of participation I have been able to implement reforms including a future with an environment where research thrives, strategies for building resilient research systems, and strategies for strengthening research administration systems and structures to support research which are functional actively communicated and understood at Makerere University and integrated into the growing UASP alumni and research expert network.

I am enrolled in the two-year Professional Certificate in Research Management course awarded by the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA). This has equipped me with knowledge and skills Pre-Award and successfully handling online Proposal Applications for Makerere university. I have supported 35-proposal submissions and tracking in the last quarter of these of 2022 and 18 of these have been awarded.

In addition, I have accomplished certificates in; Grants and Contracts Management, Research Ethics and Integrity, Introduction to Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer and Commercialization, Gender in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), Program Evaluation.

From 26 October to 29 October 2021, I attended the SARIMA Conference 2021, in which the main aim was to explore Strengthening Research Ecosystems in Low and Middle Income Countries through Research Management Competency Development.

I have participated in the inception meetings of over 31 awarded grants awarded under Makerere University College of Health Sciences in the last quarter of 2022.

I have supported to completion the development of the grants office website and newsletter. I have supported in sharing 130 funding announcements from different funders in the last two years that has supported mobilization of resources thorough grants that are responded to and won by researchers.

I have organized three successful training workshops to build capacity of grants and contracts office staff, which resulted in training to a total of 52 staff, now equipped the with skills to support researchers in grant management.

I have attracted external researchers to work with Makerere College of Health Sciences, Grants Office, sharing experience and skills.

I feel privileged and honored for receiving this award. I am very glad and cannot express my feelings in words.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? I am proud to be part of the team converting the Pre-Award and Post-Award model to the Grants Specialist model at The Aga Khan University and the impact of this change brought efficiency to the job of a Research Administrator.

I am honored to be chosen to receive the 2022 Annual Meeting Scholarship. This recognition allows me to continue my work towards my goal of being an active leader of education in the research administration field, and to meet, collaborate, and network with others in the field. I hope to continue my commitment to excellence and dedication of my contribution to the research administration field. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and look forward to continue growing professionally with SRAI.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? I’m most proud of being a part of several leadership position in campus organization. I was able to highlight additional DEI and mental health advocacy as part of my work through these organizations, as well as being able to effectively lead and manage different events on campus, including our campus-wide staff appreciation week. This experience taught me a lot about the value of teamwork and importance of nurturing gifts and talents. I was also able to network with campus leaders and other colleagues on campus through my participation that I never would have met, which allow me the opportunity to learn and grow professionally, including the chance to enter the field of research administration. My participation in these campus organization also gave me the opportunity to develop a new mentorship program, and have received positive feedback from participants in how they have been able to network and develop professionally through this mentorship program.

I am honored to win this when there are so many deserving, dedicated Editorial Board members. I very much enjoy working with the editor, JRA staff, and other Editorial Board members - it is a great journal that has been very valuable to me as I took on this role. I'm happy to contribute to its success.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? I am proudest of working with the wonderful Editorial Board to help JRA continue and thrive.

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It is such a great and unexpected honor to receive the 2022 Rod Rose Award. This recognition validates all of the hard work that went into the research and dissemination. In addition, this recognition brings additional visibility to the article, further advancing the knowledge base of the field of research administration, which is the greatest honor of all.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? I am most proud of contributing to the knowledge base of our field. Receiving feedback and questions from my colleagues within the field about my research shows the reach and impact of the Journal of Research Administration and I am happy to have been able to contribute.

I am honored to receive this award for Best Concurrent Session at the 2021 Annual Meeting. I have been presenting at the SRAI Annual Meeting on legal topics for many years and each year it is a rewarding experience. I am proud to be able to share my knowledge and experience with those intending my sessions, but I also appreciate learning from those attendees. I value the interactive nature of the sessions and the willingness of attendees to ask meaningful questions and share their experiences.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? After over thirty years of practicing law, I am most proud of my legal work to further the discovery and development of new medical treatments to foster the greater good of humanity. On a personal note, my two sons are my pride and joy!

I never thought I would receive a Best Concurrent Session Award and I'm honored to receive this award with Dominic Esposito. Although I initiated this session a few years ago, I was not able to attend the 2021 SRAI NOLA Annual Meeting, and Dominic agreed to present on my behalf. I congratulate and credit Dominic for making the session meaningful to attendees and a success.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? Successful collaborations with colleagues like this one with Dominic. I'm a dedicated research administrator focused on research operations on the central level and department level. Because of previous positions in both roles, and in academic and non-profit environments, I feel that I achieve success and work and beyond and can serve as a resource to others.

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Being recognized means a lot! I love teaching and presenting and I want to provide information that helps people not only learn but also apply what they learn in their day to day jobs. Being recognized means that I am helping people, and that is fantastic!.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? That I can provide valuable information in an entertaining way. This material is often dry, and I want to make it as fun as possible!.

This recognition and award motivates me to seek to do more, not be afraid to pick up a challenge and offer my token in a team for total team success.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? Prestigious University Administrators Support award of International Research Exchange (IREX) and its alumni grant in 2018.

This is truly a wonderful honor. It is a recognition from my peers of a service which has proven to be valuable to them.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? Helping to start a company that has the potential to help those small nonprofits and other research innovators to use their talents to help others across the world.

It was an unexpected honor to be recognized for this award. It is also encouraging to be connected to the broader research management and research administrator community while sharing knowledge and promoting professional development amongst my colleagues and peers.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? I am most proud of the team that we brought together for this presentation and the relevant strategies we presented to the SRAI audience on how to engage stakeholders across disciplines. I also want to thank our dynamic team of co-presenters: Olumuyiwa Moses Desmennu, Tracy Engels, Drew Ebersole, and Sherry Hammond.

We feel honored by the recognition, but more importantly, it reflects that the session had a positive impact on the audience. That is the most rewarding element; that we could constructively and effectively be of service to others.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? Grateful to be connected to such an important organization: SRAI. The work that everyone does in this field is vital.

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I am honored that our group received the Best Coffee Talk award. As a presenter and "content expert," I sometimes wonder how well the information will be received and if my contributions in that area will make an impact. Recognition with this special award confirms that we really did make an impact!

What accomplishment are you most proud of? I am most proud of the collaborations and relationships that I have built over the past 25 years at my institution and through my 20 years of involvement in research administration organizations.

For me getting this award was a very personal and humbling recognition-navigating change is a part of life and I have had to manage through change both professionally and personally. I am very happy that I was able to share some of the learning that I have imbibed to others and help them in their journey towards change management!

What accomplishment are you most proud of? One of the proudest moments for me in my professional life was being able to restructure the entire research program at a major health organization and reorganize the department for stronger alignment, greater standardization and better outcomes for our patients. This was a two-year process and even though there were challenges, the program was set up for a strong future.

I am very humbled to be recognized with my fellow panelists, Beth Cammarn and Vani Nilakantan. Being able to connect with the panelists and those in attendance on the topic of change made for a fantastic experience.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? Any time you can connect with others through dialogue and sharing is an accomplishment. The Coffee Talk was an opportunity to do just that and I am so grateful to my fellow panelists and the participants.