2023 Program
Thursday, April 13, 2023
A week before the conference, join us for a networking event to break the ice!
12:00pm — 1:00 pm Networking Event: Tri-University Takeoff
Join Miriam Marguliz (NAU), Megan Cooper (ASU), and Donna Sloan (UArizona) from the Networking Subcommittee to get to know your colleagues before the upcoming conference! Detailed instructions will come to registrants, but please be prepared to talk about music (we have our own playlist to share!), share pictures of your pet(s), plant(s), or human child(ren) in your life, have people guess your favorite local spot by your Zoom background, and learn about the ongoing colleague bingo we plan to play throughout the conference!
Hosts
Miriam Marguliz, Manager, Center for Service and Volunteerism, Northern Arizona University
Megan Cooper, Financial Specialist Sr., School for Sustainable Engineering & the Built Environment, Arizona State University
Donna Sloan, Senior Research Administrator, University of Arizona
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Welcome to Day 1 of the conference where we explore collaborations, onboarding, and budgeting while also kicking off our networking events.
10:00am — 11:00am Presentation: Welcome + Building Research Administration Infrastructure at Diné College
Less than a year ago, Diné College established Na’al Kaah Bee Honít’i’: Research, Innovation, and Practice, with the vision of creating a full-service research infrastructure for investigations and projects that have local and global significance to benefit the Navajo Nation. The vice provost for research, director of sponsored projects, and the pre- and post-award coordinator positions are all new positions. We look forward to sharing the procedures and practices we have instituted so far, and will facilitate a dialog that seeks input from other research administrators at TURAC.
Presenters
Eva Begaye, Director of Sponsored Projects, Diné College
Eva Begaye has been employed with Diné College going on eight years in the Finance Department as a Grants Accountant and is now the new Director of Sponsored Projects. She is always pursing new endeavors on the horizon, achieving accomplishments and finds pleasure working with each person she encounters at Diné College.
Andrea Christelle, Vice Provost for Research, Diné College
Andrea Christelle practices philosophy in nature and promotes research for good. Prior to joining Diné College she was the acting director for Good Systems at the University of Texas at Austin, and the founding director of Philosophy in the Public Interest at Northern Arizona University.
Gayla James, Post-Award Coordinator, Diné College
Gayla James is the Post-Award Coordinator with Diné College. She is looking forward to a great working relationship with everyone and provides technical assistance and support for grant awards.
Terra Lamotte-Harvey, Pre-Award Coordinator, Diné College
Terra Lamotte-Harvey is the new Pre-Award Coordinator at Dine College. Has worked in higher education in different capacities and believes in personal growth and life-long learning.
11:10am — 12:00pm Presentation: Onboarding in a Virtual World
The Proposal Functional Group at Arizona State University has had many experiences onboarding new staff throughout the pandemic. We would like to share our experiences as a staff member being on boarded, as a supervisor onboarding, and activities that we have found are helpful in connecting new hires to colleagues.
Presenters
Nicole Cox, Grant + Contract Officer, Office of Research & Sponsored Projects Administration, Arizona State University
Nicole Cox is a Grant and Contract Officer at Arizona State University’s Office of Research and Sponsored Project Administration and has worked in Research Administration since 2020. In her current position, she reads and interprets contracts and other award documents to determine pertinent regulations and guidelines of program funding for complex grants and contracts. Previously, Nicole worked as a Research Assistant at ASU’s Decision Theater, collaborating with faculty and industry partners to create complex data visualizations for diverse audiences. She holds two B.S. degrees from Arizona State University in Sustainability and Justice studies and is currently completing a master’s degree in Global Technology and Development from ASU’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society.
Amber Martin, Grant + Contract Officer Senior, Office of Research & Sponsored Projects Administration, Arizona State University
Amber Martin is a Grant & Contract Officer Senior in Knowledge Enterprise’s Office of Research and Sponsored Projects Administration. She works in the pre-award Proposal Functional Group, interpreting institutional, local, state, and federal guidelines; providing customer service to internal and external parties; and assisting with administrative review and submission of proposals for external funding.
Before moving to Phoenix, Amber lived in Las Vegas and worked in education and sports entertainment. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Communication from the University of Texas at Austin.
12:00pm — 1:00 pm Networking Event: Lunchtime Information Booth – Q&A with TURAC Presenters
Join the information booth squad, Natalia Areño, Nancy Parker, Tiffany Lehn, and Jessica Robins (all ASU), for a Q&A with some of your very own TURAC presenters! Come listen to deeper dives into their session topics and experience as a presenter, or take advantage of the conversation to ask a group of research administrators about something you are encountering at your institution.
Hosts
Natalia Areño, Grant + Contract Specialist, Office of Research & Sponsored Projects Administration, Arizona State University
Nancy Parker, Research Advancement Admin, Sr. , School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University
Tiffany Lehn, Assistant Director, EdPlus, Arizona State University
Jessica Robins, Associate Director Pre-Award Services, Office of Research & Sponsored Projects Administration, Arizona State University
1:00pm — 1:50pm Presentation: Budgeting and Spending 101
A budget is an essential component of all research proposals. An effective proposal budget serves as a financial blueprint that demonstrates to the sponsor you have carefully considered how the research will be conducted and what resources will be required. If your budget numbers are inaccurate, confusing, unrealistic or incomplete, reviewers may conclude that the research project has similar weaknesses. Proposal budgeting also has a huge impact on how the project is executed post-award. In this session, we will review the basic requirements of pre-award budgeting and discuss working with investigators to ensure a comprehensive and cohesive budget and budget justification. We will also explore the post-award implications of pre-award budgeting.
Presenters
Sarah Gates, Pre-Award Manager, Office of Research & Sponsored Projects Administration, Arizona State University
Sarah Gates is a certified research administrator with over 15 years of experience working with ASU faculty and staff to prepare and submit compliant, competitive proposals. Sarah is part of the Proposals & Negotiations Team in the Office of Research & Sponsored Projects Administration, supporting review, authorization and submission of ASU’s sponsored project proposals.
Samantha Munguia, Assistant Director of Research Advancement, W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University
2:00pm — 2:50pm Presentation: Budgeting and Spending 201
Recognizing that the budget is a critical and highly scrutinized element of the proposal, complex or unique projects often require more detailed examination and planning to ensure compliance and smooth execution post-award. In this session, we will build on the Budgeting and Spending 101, exploring the complicated, infrequent or time-consuming budget elements managed by research administration and their post-award impact.
Presenters
Sarah Gates, Pre-Award Manager, Office of Research & Sponsored Projects Administration, Arizona State University
Sarah Gates is a certified research administrator with over 15 years of experience working with ASU faculty and staff to prepare and submit compliant, competitive proposals. Sarah is part of the Proposals & Negotiations Team in the Office of Research & Sponsored Projects Administration, supporting review, authorization and submission of ASU’s sponsored project proposals.
Samantha Munguia, Assistant Director of Research Advancement, W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University
4:45pm — 6:00 pm Networking Event: Dbacks and Snacks
Our very own Arizona Diamondbacks are playing against the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday, April 18th at 4:45 PM. Hop online any time to watch the game with Lucas Marshall (ASU) of the networking subcommittee. However, be prepared for sports-themed trivia, sharing your favorite game-watching snacks, and cracking open a cold mocktail with the group! Some tried and true mocktail recipes will be sent to registrants in advance.
Host
Lucas Marshall, Accountant, W. P. Carey Financial Accounting and Operations
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Welcome to the intermission of the conference where we focus on networking.
12:00pm — 1:00 pm Networking Event: Lunchtime Colleague Bingo
Bring your bingo card to discuss who you connected with throughout the week! Lisa Wirth (ASU) and members of the networking subcommittee will connect with attendees to continue filling out cards in the session. Share your own stories, experiences, likes, dislikes, and anything else you discovered about colleagues or yourself this week.
Host
Lisa Wirth, Grant + Contract Officer, ORSPA Award Management, Arizona State University
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Welcome to Day 2 of the conference where we have pre- and post-award tracks as well as networking events.
Networking Events
9:00am — 9:45am Networking Event: Morning Mindfulness with Dr. Carola Grebitus
Dr. Carola Grebitus (ASU, W. P. Carey School of Business) is going to help us kick off day 2 of the Tri-University Research Administration Conference with mindful yoga and meditation. Dr. Grebitus is a certified yoga teacher, ready to help us all get in the right head space for conference activities.
Before participating in mindful activities, please review and sign this waiver.
Hosts
Nicole Cox, Grant + Contract Officer, Office of Research & Sponsored Projects Administration, Arizona State University
Lucas Marshall, Accountant, W.P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University
12:00pm — 1:00pm Networking Event: Lunchtime Information Booth – Q&A with the National Science Foundation
The information booth squad, Natalia Areño, Nancy Parker, Tiffany Lehn, and Jessica Robins (all ASU), will be hosting Q&A with Justin Poll of the National Science Foundation, Division of Financial Management! Be prepared to hear a sponsor’s perspective on applicants and grantees, and to ask questions that you’ve always wanted to ask a Federal sponsor.
Hosts
Natalia Areño, Grant + Contract Specialist, Office of Research & Sponsored Projects Administration, Arizona State University
Nancy Parker, Research Advancement Admin, Sr., School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University
Tiffany Lehn, Assistant Director, EdPlus, Arizona State University
Jessica Robins, Associate Director of Research Operations, Office of Research & Sponsored Projects Administration, Arizona State University
Pre-Award Track
10:00am — 10:50am Pre-Award Track: Navigating the 2023 NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy: Understanding the impact on Research Administrators
This session will cover the new NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy, effective January 2023. We’ll talk about what you need to know to prepare yourself and faculty for the new requirement, including:
- How this policy differs from the previous version
- Required forms and documentation for the NIH application process
- Tools and resources available to help
- Budgeting and costing advice
- Outreach strategies across institutions
Presenters
Matt Harp, Associate Librarian, Open Science and Scholarly Communication, Arizona State University
Research Data Initiatives Librarian Matthew Harp received his master’s degree in information resources and library science in 2013, his graduate certificate in digital information management in 2011, and his bachelor’s of fine arts in media arts in 1998 from the University of Arizona. He is currently an Associate Librarian in ASU Library’s Open Science and Scholarly Communications unit, specializing in scholarship and research services with a focus on research data management and sharing. Before completing his master’s degree, Matthew worked as the Digital Library Projects Manager at the ASU Libraries, producing podcasts and video programs, and is a 2010 Library Journal Mover and Shaker.
Jerry Perry, Associate Dean, University of Arizona Libraries, University of Arizona
Jerry Perry serves as the Associate Dean for the University of Arizona Libraries (UAL). Reporting to him via their leadership are the faculty and staff of University of Arizona Health Sciences Library, the Student Learning and Engagement Department, and User Experience. He is responsible for coordinating assessment efforts across the entire UAL system. He is also the liaison from UAL Administration to the Libraries’ Diversity, Social Justice, and Equity Council. He has nearly 40 years of experience as a health sciences librarian. He as been active in the Medical Library Association, serving as President (2011-2012), and Janet Doe Lecturer (2019). He was named a Fellow of the Association in 2018. Academic interests include leadership and administration, informatics, evidence-based practice, and diversity and inclusion.
Fernando Rios, Associate Specialist, Research Data Management, University of Arizona
Currently in the role of the Research Data Management Specialist in the Research Engagement department at the University of Arizona Libraries, Fernando focuses on supporting academic research in the areas of data management planning, research workflows, reproducibility, data and software curation, archiving and sharing, and open science. He has also been active in software development in academia and in industry where he has worked on projects in the areas of geographic information systems, groundwater modeling, and incident management. He received my Ph.D. in geography from the University at Buffalo, SUNY and his B.S. and M.S. in computational science from the University of Waterloo and Florida State University respectively.
Jen McCormack, Associate, Research Development, University of Arizona
Jen McCormack is a research development associate, specializing in health sciences and health disparities proposals. Prior to her appointment in RDS, Jen served as the Sr. Director of Development and Research for a nonprofit in the GuVo District of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Combining western academic and Indigenous research paradigms, Jen secured and managed federal, state, foundation, and private grants, and worked with multiple federal and state agencies. Through her career, she has consulted in research development and governance.
11:00am — 11:50am Pre-Award Track: Limited Submissions: Who, What, Where, When, How and Why
Federal agencies, foundations, and other funders are increasingly using limited submissions to restrict the number of applications they receive. Management of limited submissions is a core function of research development and sponsored project offices at ASU, NAU, and UA. Research Administration professionals are crucial to the Limited Submissions process and opportunity management by working directly with faculty.
This presentation will cover Limited Submissions topics such as the following: what Limited Submissions are; why Limited Submissions are managed at the institutional level; where to find limited submission opportunities; how to advertise to campus, LS terminology and vocabulary; institutional timelines; best practices and purpose; examples of common LS opportunities; and Limited Submission trends.
The presenters from three institutions will share multiple case studies and analyses of best practices in the limited submission process, allowing insight into how to navigate each institution’s unique processes.
Presenters
Danielle Barefoot, Program Administrator, Internal Grants, University of Arizona
Danielle Barefoot is the Program Administrator of Internal Grants in Research Development Services, a unit of the University of Arizona’s Office for Research, Innovation and Impact. As Program Administrator, Danielle serves as the campus liaison for InfoReady Review, manages 13 RII Research Development Grants, and administers a number of internal competitions in collaboration with other campus units. She has extensive experience with grants and major awards from applicant, reviewer, and administrator perspectives.
Hayley Bohall, Assistant Director, Research Development, Arizona State University
Hayley Bohall is the Assistant Director of Research Development within Knowledge Enterprise at Arizona State University. Research Development works with research faculty, staff, and leaders to improve funding success and grow the research enterprise. Hayley’s primary responsibility is to support and manage limited submissions, internal grant competitions, and nominations to various federal and non-federal agencies. She interacts with faculty and staff across disciplines to provide research development support and provides solutions to issues associated with sponsored projects.
Andy Koppisch, Associate Vice President Research, Northern Arizona University
Andy Koppisch is the Associate Vice President for Research in the Office of the Vice President for Research at Northern Arizona University. He oversees efforts to build research capacity at NAU, including internal grant competitions and management of limited submission opportunities.
Lidia Macias, Coordinator, Research Development Operations, University of Arizona
Lidia Macias is the Coordinator of Research Development Operations. She provides support in the limited submissions process, contributes to external RDS communications and funding identification, office operations responsibilities, and conducts communications with internal and external stakeholders. Ms. Macias has more than 7 years of experience in higher education administration at the institutional level; has collaborated in several large-scale, interdisciplinary, multi-institutional, and international research initiatives. She is highly experienced in federal and state agencies, private foundations, and corporative funding programs in both pre and post-award stages. Other areas of her expertise include proposal development and the creation of impact strategies for research development.
1:00pm — 1:50pm Pre-Award Track: They don’t call it Industry: Navigating proposals that include industry partners
When preparing a proposal, we use assumptions and language familiar to us, but industry operates in an entirely different way, and most of what we do is unfamiliar to them. This session will explain the differences to help you better navigate working with “industry.”
Presenter
Laurie Clark, Grant and Contract Administrator II, University of Arizona
2:00pm — 2:50pm Pre-Award Track: NIH and HRSA Training Grant Submissions Unraveled
This presentation will go over two types of federal training grants: HRSA Training grant submissions and NIH “T” proposals. Nancy Osgood will cover the HRSA grant, and Barbara Schay and Megan Derksen will cover the NIH “T” grants. Covered areas will include the following for both types: planning for the submission, timetables, checklists, components of each, constructing budgets, portal systems used by each, involving Graduate College, Sponsor FAQs, involving external stakeholders, what works/what doesn’t work, working with faculty/tips, and tools.
Presenters
Barbara Schay, Research Advancement Administrator Sr., Arizona State University
Barbara Schay is Research Advancement Administrator, Sr. for the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University. She earned a B.A. from Brandeis University and an M.B.A. from Boston University and has more than eight years of experience in pre-award research administration, assisting researchers in developing and submitting proposals to a wide range of federal, not-for-profit and corporate and state sponsors. Barbara enjoys the challenges of staying current with the ever-changing landscape of sponsor requirements, maneuvering through submission portals, and working with her post-award colleagues to ensure seamless transition from proposal to award. Barbara hails from the greater Boston area and has called Arizona home since 1995. When she’s not working, you might find her at a local coffee shop, searching for the perfect cup.
Megan Derksen, Research Proposal Manager, University of Arizona
Megan Derksen recently joined the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix as a Research Proposal Manager. Prior to that she was a Research Advancement Administrator, Senior in ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Her pre-award research administration experience spans over 10 years and multiple universities with expertise in handling health sciences and engineering proposals and sponsors. Megan particularly enjoys onboarding new faculty and is a glutton for punishment when it comes to coordinating large, complicated proposals. She has a B.A. from Hanover College in Indiana and a M.S. in Justice Studies from ASU.
Nancy Osgood, Research Advancement Manager, Arizona State University
Nancy Osgood has been in the ASU research community since October 2006, performing in both pre- and post-award assignments. Half of those 17 years were spent in the Fulton Schools of Engineering, and the other half in the College of Health Solutions – both of which have given her extensive experience in reporting and submission requirements, policies, regulations and the intricacies of the vast number of sponsors out there! In the past few years, she has focused on more advanced funding mechanisms, such as center and training grants and Other Transaction Agency submissions. In her free time, Nancy and her husband like to go boondocking in their RV and look forward to their first grandchild this summer!