2019 Western/Southern Section Meeting

Management and OperationsManagement and Operations (MO)

Focus is on:
  • Delivery of operational services and research and financial compliance programs
  • Facilities management
  • Research infrastructure such as capital programs and building and managing of science and technology parks
  • Human resources and international personnel management
  • Supporting collaborations with international organizations

Sunday, March 10, 2019

WS6: Strategic Planning for Institutional and Individual Research Development

Time: 1:30pm to 5:00pm

Content level:Basic

Development of a comprehensive strategic plan. Participants will acquire the knowledge and skills to effectively develop a strategic plan for their organization. 

Learning objectives:

  1. Identify and discuss the distinct components of a strategic plan.
  2. Formulate a strategic plan.

Prerequisites:None

Speaker(s):

Janet Villarmia, MBA, ML, Executive Director, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Monday, March 11, 2019

M105: Cloud File Storage for Research Administration

Time: 9:30am to 10:45am

Content level:Basic

Through this presentation, participants will be shown a current cloud storage system used by The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to store files including proposal contents, award information, reports, non-personnel transactions, and personnel transactions. These files are then shared with Researchers for transparency and ease of access. We will discuss the benefits and challenges of a cloud-based storage system. We will also discuss the naming conventions of the current filing system, the associated benefits of establishing a naming convention, and how to determine a naming convention. 

Learning objectives:

  1. Identify the benefits and challenges of a cloud-based storage system and how to implement this type of storage system at their institution.
  2. Identify the benefits of a naming convention and how to develop one for their institution.

Prerequisites:None

Speaker(s):

Ross Babinec, MSA, Budget Analyst, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

M203: Service Centers: Internal Control, Direct Costing, and Responsible Management

Time: Monday, March 11, 2019 - 11:00am to 12:15pm

Content level:Intermediate

In this session, we will discuss the internal control issues that organization's should be mindful of when operating service centers. We will discuss the Internal Control Cube and how it applies, along with policies, procedures, outreach and communication, reconciliation, and monitoring.

Learning objectives:

  1. Assess operational improvements which may be required for compliant operations of service centers.
  2. Discuss the compliance requirements associated with service center operations.

Prerequisites:None

Speaker(s):

Kris Rhodes, MS, Managing Director, ATM Grants | About the Money

M301: Analyzing Research Collaborations Using Social Network Analysis

Time: 2:15pm to 3:30pm

Content level:Intermediate

For strategic planning purposes, it is important for research administrators to understand how researchers interact and to implement policies to increase collaborations. This presentation will demonstrate how social network analysis can be used to evaluate collaborations among scientists. Administrative policies that can increase collaborations over time will be discussed.

Learning objectives:

  1. Understand the strategic importance of research collaborations from a research administrators viewpoint and understand how to measure research collaborations using social network analysis.
  2. Understand how administrative policies can enhance research collaborations.

Prerequisites:None

Speaker(s):

Nathan Vanderford, PhD, Faculty, Research Administrator, University of Kentucky

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

T102: Innovation through Co-Location: A Pilot Model to Support Pediatric Cancer Research at Seattle Children’s Research Institute (Part 1)

Time: 9:30am to 10:45am

Content level:Basic

What is Lean methodology? How does it relate to research administration? Seattle Children’s is committed to continuous process improvement that supports and makes visible the processes to measure, manage and improve our work. In this session, we will discuss the basic concepts of Lean methodology and how Seattle Children’s Research Institute has integrated Lean within its operations. This session will cover in depth how Lean methodology has informed the development of Seattle Children’s organizational structure and how Lean concepts can benefit any organization. This is part 1 of a 2 part presentation about innovation in research administration at Seattle Children’s. 

Learning objectives:

  1. Understand basic principles of Lean methodology in a research environment.
  2. Identify areas within your organization that could benefit from Lean practices and ideas.

Prerequisites:None

Speaker(s):

Matt McElroy; Jennifer Perez, MBA, Accountant; Marisa Zaleski, Seattle Children's Research Institute; 

T202: Innovation through Co-Location: A Pilot Model to Support Pediatric Cancer Research at Seattle Children’s Research Institute (Part 2)

Time: 11:00am to 12:15pm

Content level:Basic

In part 2 of a 2 part presentation about innovation in research administration at Seattle Children’s, “TeamMISSION” members will present their experiences with co-location and discuss how they applied Lean methodology (introduced in part 1) with co-location to improve efficiency in bringing clinical research trials to patients.  TeamMISSION is a cross-functional team consisting of six individuals from five departments, now co-located together in a single, shared space.  In addition to research leadership from the Cancer & Blood Disorders Center, the team includes representation from the Office of Research Finance, Office of Sponsored Research, Institutional Review Board, and Center Business Office.  

Learning objectives:

  1. Learn how restructuring research teams (e.g. through co-location) can help improve operational efficiency, reduce waste, increase process transparency, and improve engagement.
  2. Identify possible opportunities at your own institution to bring professionals from key departments within research administration, research operations, and scientific teams together to form a collaborative, cross-functional team.

Prerequisites:None

Speaker(s):

Jonathan Liaw-Gray; Katherine Painter; Anthony Peña, Seattle Children’s Research Institute

T306: Transitioning Training into an Online Environment

Time: 2:15pm to 3:30pm

Content level: Intermediate

Research Administration topics are usually presented in a face to face classroom format or websites using PowerPoint slides. These are difficult to sustain over time and the sessions provide a lot of information at one time.  This session will offer unique learning solutions for the overwhelming and ever-changing information that needs to be conveyed to research administrators and researchers. Participants will be able to determine how to reorganize and revise current training materials so that they can continue to be effective in self directed learning scenarios.

Learning objectives:

  1. Identify the best training structure for the online learning environment.
  2. Discover new training delivery methods to use online.

Prerequisites:None

Speaker(s):

Hope Grant, CRA, Training Specialist, Rice University

T401: Building a Sustainable Office of Research

Time:  3:45pm to 5:00pm

Content level:Intermediate

With the support of the five year NIH G11 grant, the University of South Florida (USF) College of Pharmacy (COP) has established an Office of Research and has been creating sustainability initiatives to maintain the infrastructure of the office after the grant. To continue the momentum, it will be helpful to hear from others in a round table format to to exchange information about the activities being done to promote sustainability at USF COP and other institutions.

Learning objectives:

  1. Discuss sustainability measures used at various institutions.
  2. Network and collaborate with other colleagues interested in sustainability initiatives.

Prerequisites:None

Speaker(s):

Kymia Jackson, MBA, MS, Director, University of South Florida: Monica Torres, Coordinator of Research, University of South Florida, College of Pharmacy;  Danisha Benjamin-Dore, CRA, Senior Financial Analyst, BayCare Health System

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

W205: Using a Workflow Tool to Help Research Administrators Serve Researchers

Time: 10:45am to 12:00pm

Content level:Basic

This presentation is a demonstration and overview of a workflow tool used for Research Administration. The Rapid Administration Service Request (RASR) tool is a workflow tool developed at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to aid processing units (department administrators) in the receiving and processing of all types of financial and human resource transactions. This workflow tool provides a seamless method for Researchers to notify their administrators of that an action is required and view that request until completed. RASR also provides Research Administrators with the opportunity to review whether transactions are allowable, reasonable, or allocable prior to processing. This workflow tool encompasses all types of transactions from Pre to Post-Award. 

Learning objectives:

  1. Identify the benefits of a workflow tool on Research Administration.
  2. Identify qualities of a workflow tool that can be taken back to their institutions.

Prerequisites:None

Speaker(s):

Ross Babinec, MSA, Budget Analyst, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill