Concurrent Sessions

Friday, May 10, 2019 - 10:00 am to 11:00 am

S1: Shared Research Support Services: Case Studies in Centralized Core Services

Shared Research Support Services is a group of core scientific facilities within the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. Our organization grew out of the consolidation of thirteen core facilities previously housed across five academic departments. In this session, we will examine two case studies in our efforts to consolidate specialized core services across the school; the consolidation of our research stockrooms and the creation of Pitt Cryogenics, our helium recovery, and recycling operation.

Content Level: Advanced

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the benefits and challenges centralization of specialized research cores, and learn techniques for mitigating those challenges
  • Identify key areas of creating centralized specialized research core including creating buy-in, organizational development, fiscal modeling and branding, and marketing

Speaker(s): Pete Chambers, Director of Shared Research Support Services for the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, University of Pittsburgh

S2: NSF and CRA: Are You Prepared

If you are considering taking the Certified Research Administrator (CRA) Examination and need to learn more about the National Science Foundation, come to our presentation. We plan to discuss NSF processes from “cradle to grave” in preparation for the CRA Exam. Topics will include types of proposal submissions, NSF organizational structure, Research.gov rollout and other information to help you succeed on your Exam!

Content level: All Levels

Speaker(s): Alice Lawson, CRA, Assistant Director for Grants Management, Office of Research, University of Pittsburgh; Eric Larson, CRA, Electronic Research Support & System Administrator, Office of Research, University of Pittsburgh

S3: Common Rule and sIRB 

In this session, we will discuss the basic protections for human research subjects as outlined by the Common Rule regulations. This includes discussion of when IRB review is needed, possible types of review and what is needed in an IRB protocol. We will also discuss when the use of a Single IRB (sIRB) is appropriate.

Content Level: Basic

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand when IRB is needed
  • Understand the regulations that govern human subject research (Common Rule and FDA regulations)
  • Understand the elements of protocol and consent that are necessary for IRB approval
  • Understand when an sIRB is appropriate and additional considerations when utilizing sIRB

Speaker(s): Melissa Miklos; Michelle LeMenager; Allison Gerger

Friday, May 10, 2019 - 11:15 am to 12:15 pm

S4: “If You Don’t Know Where you Are Going, You Will End Up Somewhere Else”: How to Manage a Project When You’re Not a Project Manager

Are you thinking about a project or have you been required to spearhead a project in your department, school or institution, but lack formal project management experience? Are you unsure where to start, who to involve, and how to get your project off the ground? If you answered “yes" to any of these questions, then this session is for you. This “how-to” session will focus on identifying key areas of project management for research administrators who have little experience in project management. The session will also help participants identify the skills and tools needed to manage projects of all sizes.

Content Level: All Levels
Learning Objectives:

  • Define the key components of a project and the associated requirements for project success.

  • Identify the skills and expertise of research administrators and how those skills can be translated into project management

Speaker(s): Christine McClure, EdD, Associate Director for PERISTM Solution, Office of Research, University of Pittsburgh

S5: Cloud Storage Overview at Pitt

This session will give a general primer on cloud storage and describe the services and options that are available to the University and if time permits, a brief demo of BOX a OneDrive.

After this session, you should be able to return to your office and start taking advantage of the cloud service offerings at Pitt.

Content Level: Basic to Intermediate

Speaker(s): Jay Graham, Enterprise Architect, Computing Services and Systems Development

S6: Pis Are (just) Characters: Building Better Working Relationships Through Understanding

Working with the myriad of PI personality types can be hard, even sometimes distressing. But of course one must soldier on to get the job done. This session emphasizes the importance of understanding PI personality types as a means to managing a more productive work relationship. Working within the context of well known “characters” we will present and discuss common personality types and communication strategies. Join us prepared to contribute to the discussion in this lighter-hearted approach to this important management challenge.

Content Level: All Levels

Learning Objectives:

  • Confirm the importance and benefits of an effective working relationship with Pis
  • Present example(s) of formal or “professional” personality identification models
  • Present our light-hearted yet serviceable “character” model of personality types and discuss effective communication strategies with each
  • Laugh a little

Speaker(s): Leslie Levine, MS, CRA, Director, Marianna Dietrich College of Humanities & Social Sciences Research Office, Carnegie Mellon University; Carol Miller, CRA, Department Administrator, Department of Mathematics, University of Pittsburgh

Friday, May 10, 2019 - 1:15 pm to 2:15 pm

S7: Pitfalls to Avoid in International Research

In this session we will review and touch base on US federal regulations regarding international research, funding, agency registrations, tips for international applicants and post award regulations.  In addition, we’ll review NON US agencies awards to US based institutions. We’ll also address US institutions with funding both federal and non-federal with branch campuses outside the US. What kind of compliance issues should you be aware of? Technology transfers, IRB, IACUC, Export Controls, Import Controls, Indirect costs, Intellectual property, and human resources.

Content Level: Advanced

Speaker(s): Carol Miller, CRA, Department Administrator, Department of Mathematics, University of Pittsburgh

S8: Auditing Sponsored Projects

This session will discuss what auditors look for when auditing sponsored projects and what research administrators could do to be better prepared for an audit.

Content Level: All Levels

Speaker(s): Richard Korey, CIA, Internal Audit, University of Pittsburgh

S9: NIH vs. NSF: Diving Into the Differences

In this session, we will discuss that the two most common sources of federal funding from the surface can appear to be requesting similar information, but a deeper dive reveals their fundamental differences.


Content Level: All Levels

Speaker(s): Tomi Kareis, Office of Sponsored Projects, Carnegie Mellon University; Jess Higby, Office of Sponsored Projects, Carnegie Mellon University; Janise Loell, Office of Sponsored Projects, Carnegie Mellon University

Friday, May 10, 2019 - 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm

S10: Panel Discussion: Use What you’ve Got to Get What You Want

Are you an administrator who is unsure about where to go next in your career? Do you feel like you have no path forward in your profession? Well, research administration is a large and demanding field with a considerable number of career options. This panel discussion will help participants recognize the many skills developed as research administrators and provide ideas on how they can use the skills, expertise and knowledge acquired in other capacities within the profession.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

  • Identify skills that all research administrators possess and how they can be translated into other positions within research administration.
  • Identify strategies to develop skills necessary for future opportunities, such as networking, volunteering and participating on committees within your institution.

Speaker(s): Christine McClure, EdD, Associate Director for PERISTM Solution, Office of Research, University of Pittsburgh; Tammeka Banks, Department Administrator, Office of Research, University of Pittsburgh

S11: Panel Discussion: Process Improvement

The job responsibilities of Research Administrators transform rapidly. We work in an environment where we must adapt to frequent changes. Work processes that have guided us for years, can suddenly become inefficient. This session introduces participants to the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) cycle, which uses data to improve business processes. During the first half, we will outline the various parts of the cycle and give examples. We will focus mainly on utilizing simple tools in Excel to analyze the data with as little statistics as possible. The second half of the session will be spent as a discussion group, so participants can work together to identify processes that need improvement and strategize steps they can take to define and measure the chosen processes.

Content Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives:

  • Exposed to the concepts of DMAIC and corresponding topics
  • Learn how these processes can be used in Research Administration

Speaker(s): Teresa Cameron, Post-Award Administrator, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh; Angela Yost, Pre-Award Administrator, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh

S12: Panel Discussion: How to Get Involved Without Really Trying 

Do you struggle with how to get your hours for CRA recertification? If so, come and join us for a discussion on some ways to get involved in different professional organizations in ways that earn contact hours for CRA’s.

Content Level: All Levels

Speaker(s): Michelle Jarvis, Sr. Clinical Research Administrator, University of Pittsburgh; Aniko Nalevanko, Manager, Office of Grants and Contracts, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh; Thomas Berkhoudt, Director, Office of Grants and Contracts, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh

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