2026 Future of the Field Honorees

Almost seven years ago, I traded biology courses and pipettes for research administration. Since then, I’ve built a career fueled by scientific curiosity, a love of solving problems, a passion for people and a willingness to say “yes” to new challenges. My work has spanned grant writing and administration, research, educational programming, mentorship, and more. As a people person, I’m especially passionate about creating and scaling programs that foster connection, engagement, and community in the workplace. Highlights include mentoring students and early-career professionals, contributing to the NCI Cancer Center Support Grant, earning my CRA credential, and creating opportunities for local youth to gain experience and mentorship.

As a mom of two, my biggest priority right now is motherhood. But when I “grow up,” I hope to lead in a role focused on developing others, championing their success, and helping create a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Working as a research faculty at a minority institution, one of the challenges was the lack of a well-staffed Office of Compliance and Sponsored Programs. When the opportunity arose to lead the Office responsible for helping faculty navigate complex regulations, manage grants, and handle financial reporting, I was excited and could not pass it up. I have been in this role for over eight years, and one of my greatest accomplishments is the initiative to revamp the institution's Effort Reporting program by streamlining the verification process, which earned me a Presidential Citation for dedication and commitment to excellence in support of the University's mission and values. My growth as a research administrator has benefited from continuous learning, and with the recent changes in the grant ecosystem, I have developed the ability to translate vague, inconsistent, or changing federal regulations into actionable, compliant workflows for our research faculty.

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My career has been shaped by embracing opportunities. While earning my BS and writing a research thesis on skull morphology, I completed an NSF REU at the Chicago Field Museum. After earning my MS from the University of Notre Dame, I served as the UND Human Anatomy Term Professor. In graduate school, I developed grant proposals for my own research. Through this experience, I realized that research administration is the backbone of our nation's research enterprise. After identifying a passion for empowering researchers to transform ideas into discovery, I joined Notre Dame Research as a Pre-Award Specialist. I was promoted to Manager after 18 months. With only 3.5 years of research administration experience, I am honored to have received national recognition through SRAI's Future of the Field Program. Looking ahead, I aspire to become a Senior Manager who champions innovation and serves as a force for good in research administration.

After a rewarding career as a university professor and researcher, I entered research administration upon relocating to Canada, seeking new ways to apply my scientific expertise. A research facilitator role in natural sciences and engineering confirmed the value of supporting researchers, solving complex challenges, and strengthening institutional research capacity.

I am especially proud of advancing research administration within my institution and the broader community. I led the implementation of a research management system that improved funding processes, resource use, and collaboration. I also mentored colleagues, built partnerships, and supported professional growth. CARA’s Spirit of Kindness Award and Director’s Award for Inter-Institutional Collaboration reflect the positive impact of this collaborative, people-centered work.

Looking ahead, I am excited to advance resilient, ethical, secure, and researcher-centered administration by reducing administrative burden, strengthening compliance, positioning research security as an institutional asset, and continuing to mentor peers and share practical insights that strengthen the profession. 

Like many before me, I ended up in Research Administration by happenstance. After I completed my Masters, I realized I was drawn to research and how much I enjoyed supporting research the background, especially pre-award development of large grants and establishment of research institutions. I've worked in research administration for the last 9 years, and what I am most proud of is the support I provide to Early Career Researchers. It is very rewarding to help new faculty establish their programs, help them receive their first grants, and watch them grow into the next generation of scientists. In the next few years, it is my goal to continue to enhance the research reputation of my institution, as well as begin to mentor the next generations of Research Administrators. 

Nine years ago, I entered NIH with the goal of supporting the advancement of national health research and wellness. It has been a privilege to work on compliance oversight and policy implementation to strengthen grants management. I am thankful I have been able to support the field by interpreting policy to institute operational practices for other transactions awards, providing technical assistance in developing reminder terms and conditions of award,  presenting common compliance pitfalls and policy updates, championing risk assessment reviews and compliance monitoring for organizations without previous NIH funding. I am grateful to have served as a strategic member of the NIH internal control checklist group and how to committee to ensure institutional compliance with policy.  Currently, I mentor and train staff on training and fellowship awards. I am excited to help expand public health impact by developing in this supervisory and technical advisory role.

Research administration wasn't the career I originally imagined, but it quickly became where I found purpose. After moving from Brazil to the United States, I built my career one opportunity at a time, starting as a research assistant and progressing to research coordinator, research supervisor, and now research program manager. Along the way, I learned that behind every protocol, budget, and regulatory requirement is a patient hoping for a better future.

One accomplishment I'm especially proud of is building and mentoring research teams while helping expand access to clinical trials. Seeing our program grow and knowing that more patients have the opportunity to participate in research has been incredibly rewarding.

Looking ahead, I hope to continue advancing research operations, mentoring future research professionals, and building more efficient, patient-centered research programs. I'm honored to be recognized alongside so many talented colleagues committed to shaping the future of research administration.

I was brought to the Future of the Field through a nomination from my supervisor. My journey into research administration began in 2017. Previously, I worked at a SaaS investment management company but felt entirely disconnected from its mission. Because I am driven by purpose, I did not hesitate to leave the private sector for Boise State University, where I fully support the institutional mission. Aside from a brief sabbatical after my first son’s birth, I have been dedicated to this field ever since.

I am most proud of supporting my team. It is an ongoing mission, but I find deep fulfillment in helping them answer questions, make judgment calls, and build confidence in their positions. Regarding what is next, I am still discovering myself as a supervisor while balancing my workload. Ultimately, I desire a leadership role focused on helping others, serving as a central office trainer and communicator.

My research administration journey began as a Pre-Award Coordinator in the Office of Sponsored Programs. Working with a supportive and collaborative team shaped my passion for the profession and reinforced the core values of service and continuous learning. I bring this mindset to my current role supporting college-level research efforts, where I strive to deliver services that will enable faculty to pursue initiatives that benefit our communities. 

Earning my CRA, CFRA, and CPRA credentials within the past year highlights my commitment to professional development and my ongoing dedication to excellence in research administration.  

My goal is to continue contributing to the advancement of research administration at my institution by furthering my education, mentoring, encouraging professional growth, fostering a culture of collaboration between researchers and administrators, and cultivating a service mentality among my peers to support the research enterprise.

I found my way into research administration more than eight years ago and quickly realized it was the perfect fit. I enjoy solving problems, improving processes, and helping researchers navigate everything that comes with sponsored projects. Today, I’m a Senior Research Administrator at Roswell Park. One of the highlights of my career has been serving on the build team supporting the transition of the grants office to Roswell Park Cancer Research Corporation, helping implement new processes and systems during a period of significant organizational change. I was excited to join the Future of the Field because I love learning from others, exchanging ideas, and thinking about where research administration is headed next. Looking ahead, I hope to continue improving research operations, mentoring others, and contributing to the future of our profession.

What began as an unplanned career path quickly became a meaningful and rewarding professional journey. Through work in research outputs management, grants administration, compliance, reporting, and researcher support, I gained a deeper appreciation of the role research management plays in enabling high-quality research and institutional growth.

I am most proud of contributing to the strengthening of research support systems at my institution and representing Nelson Mandela University at international research administration conferences, where I have presented on research information and impact.

Next, I aim to become a recognized professional in the field, publish research management-related papers, deepen my knowledge in research systems, grants support, and contribute to institutional and international initiatives.

Interestingly, my career has led me to research administration, and looking back, it has been one of the most rewarding professional journeys I could have taken. I joined my Institute as Unit Secretary. What began as an administrative role evolved into a career I genuinely love. Over the years, I progressed to coordinating international research grants, including a 16-member consortium, supporting researchers across the grant lifecycle, and strengthening systems that enable excellent research.

A key milestone was becoming a certified Research Administration Professional in 2025, affirming over a decade of experience. Receiving the Future of the Future Award further reinforces this journey.

Looking ahead, I hope to become a Certified Research Administrator, publish and present more widely, support capacity-building in research administration, and contribute to strengthening research governance. Above all, I hope to be known as someone who contributed meaningfully to the profession and supported impactful research that improved lives.

For the past seven years at Aga Khan University, I have supported the full research lifecycle, including grant development, regulatory compliance, project management, budgeting, and multidisciplinary collaboration. I am most proud of earning my Master of Science in Public Health with distinction while working full-time, alongside contributing to peer-reviewed publications and international grant applications that strengthened my expertise in research administration.
Receiving the SRAI Future of the Field is a tremendous honor and motivates me to continue growing in this profession. Looking ahead, I hope to expand international collaborations and take on greater leadership responsibilities to support impactful, high-quality research.

I have dedicated the past 14 years to research administration, beginning my career with a passion for supporting discovery and serving the people behind research. What has kept me in this profession is the opportunity to solve complex problems, develop future leaders, and strengthen the research enterprise through stewardship. While I have been deeply honored to receive awards from various organizations, including recognition by SRAI as a Future of the Field Honoree, my proudest accomplishment is the leadership I’ve contributed through fostering cultures where people can discover their true potential, and feel confident to lead with confidence and respect. I believe the greatest legacy any leader leaves are the leaders they develop. Looking ahead, I will complete my Doctor of Business Administration at Drexel University in 2027, continuing my research on the lived experiences of research administrators and helping shape the future of this profession through scholarship, leadership, and service.

After attending the 2025 SRAI meeting in San Antonio, I was inspired by the Future of the Field honorees. I started research support without any experience or knowledge about the field. Through training and continuous learning, I am proud of my progression in the field after these years. I feel most accomplished when I submit my annual report to management and I document how successful I have been in submitting grants, winning awards and negotiating contracts. looking into the future, I am working becoming a leader and a voice in the field. I will be involved in networks and membership bodies that seek to advance research administration especially in African countries. I want to train more people who have the desire to grow in this field as well. 

I am honored to be recognized with an SRAI Future of the Field award. I got started in research compliance after I realized I wanted to utilize my law degree but did not enjoy going to court. Working in research compliance has been a great way to accomplish that! I am grateful for all the amazing people I have met through organizations like SRAI where we may be in different parts of the country (or world!) and face similar challenges. Winning this award has been my greatest accomplishment over the 14 years I've been working in research. I hope to continue networking, learning, and helping grow the field! 

My journey into research administration began in the laboratory, first as a research technician and later as a research operations manager. Working alongside researchers from project conception to implementation taught me that research administration is, at its heart, a relational practice. Meaningful research is built on technical rigor, trust, openness, and accountability, and research administrators have a unique role in creating the conditions for that work to flourish. Over the past eight years, I have combined research administration, research development, and project management approaches to help researchers navigate the complexities of research funding. As a first-generation university graduate and Bangladeshi immigrant, I bring an equity-informed perspective to my work. I am deeply committed to embedding decolonial, evidence-based practices that advance inclusive excellence. I hope to continue shaping a future for this field where research administrators are recognized as trusted co-creators and stewards of impactful, ethical, and collaborative research.

Like most members of this community, Research Administration sort of fell into my lap. Though I was a full-time graduate student, I started this career facilitating awards, grants and travel scholarships with non-profits for investigators at every level. Then, in May 2020, I decided to take a leap of faith and learn about the administrative side of scientific research with hopes of building a well-oiled laboratory of my own. Within the first 6 months of working with the Basic Science Administration department at Northwestern University, I had settled into this career where I found my intellect, high drive, communication and organizational skills would be better suited. In my current role as a Senior Research Development Specialist with ULRI, I have continued this career aspirations and professional achievement goals, remaining a positive change agent in training, development, and research education, seeking recognition that helps institutions and organizations create successful programs that prepare Research Administration teams for success.

My journey to the Future of the Field began through a passion for research, education, and regulatory compliance. After spending more than nine years in teaching and research, I transitioned into research administration, where I found an opportunity to support ethical and responsible research while helping investigators succeed. I have worked in research administration for over four years, focusing on compliance oversight, post-approval monitoring, and continuous quality improvement. The accomplishment I am most proud of is developing and leading UTRGV's first formal Post Approval Monitoring Compliance Program, which supports oversight for human subjects, animal care and use, biosafety, and human biological agents research. Building this program from the ground up has allowed me to strengthen institutional compliance while fostering a culture of collaboration and education. Looking ahead, I hope to continue advancing research compliance programs, mentoring future professionals, and contributing to the evolution of research administration through leadership and innovation.

I found my way into research administration almost by accident, but it quickly became a career I genuinely love. I realized that while researchers make discoveries, there are people behind the scenes who make that work possible, and I wanted to be one of them. I enjoy solving problems, supporting researchers, and knowing my work contributes to improving lives.
One accomplishment I am particularly proud of is being recognized as a Future of the Field. I am also proud to have been a 'University Administration Support Program (UASP) Research Fellow' and to have earned my 'Certified Research Administrator (CRA) and Research Administrator Professional (RAP) credentials. These milestones reflect my commitment to continuous learning and advancing the research administration profession. Looking ahead, I hope to continue growing as a leader, strengthening research management across Africa, and mentoring the next generation of research administrators.

My path into research administration grew through resilience. After repeated “experience-required” barriers in other sectors, I chose a field where curiosity and adaptability could align. Thanks to my employer and the collaborating institutional leaders, who recognized my potential. What started as an initial placement evolved into a purpose-driven career in strengthening bioethics capacity and sustaining institutional research integrity.
In the past five years, I pursued credentials to improve credibility and specialized training in relevant areas. This learning translated into systems that make responsible research possible.

Recognized as a reliable administrator in international collaborative environments, I am most proud of contributing to the development and strengthening of systems that support ethical research practices.

With this recognition and having been invited to career extension in Global Health Leadership at Indiana University, my goal is to drive innovation in research governance in resource-constrained settings, demonstrating that administrative excellence is fundamental to high-impact science.

I got started in the field purely by accident. I had worked on DOE-funded projects before, so I had seen the grants dollars at work, but I had no idea the time and effort that went into the proposals. When moving to Tennessee in 2024, I knew I wanted to be active in the local research community, and at the nexus of my English undergraduate and Geosciences graduate degrees, I found Research Administration. I am most proud of overcoming my fear of public speaking and presenting at the Collaborative Section Meeting in Atlanta, this year, and I'm so thankful to SRAI for the opportunity. My Odyssey mentor, Cecilia Canadas, was instrumental in getting these presentations polished, and in bolstering my confidence with her encouragement. Moving forward, I am applying for PhD programs and looking to use my RA knowledge to be a more successful and supportive researcher and administrator.

I found research administration organically through post-award administration, where my background in accounting and auditing aligned naturally with financial stewardship, compliance, and sponsored programs. What began as a technical role quickly became a meaningful career as I realized the impact strong research administration has on advancing scholarship and supporting researchers.

The accomplishment I am most proud of was stepping into a leadership role when my director unexpectedly left just two months after I joined my institution. For nearly a year, I maintained post-award operations, strengthened internal controls, and ensured uninterrupted support for faculty during a period of significant transition. That experience strengthened my confidence and ultimately led to my promotion to Assistant Director.

Looking ahead, I hope to continue improving research administration through process innovation, mentoring others, and sharing best practices through professional organizations. My goal is to help institutions build compliant, efficient research enterprises that empower researchers to succeed.