University of Wisconsin, Madison

Started as an accountant within Department.

I was an auditor for the State of Wisconsin for over 20 years and was looking for something new. I had actually audited the research and development grants at the University of Wisconsin – Madison as part of my job as an auditor. There was a job opening in the central office on campus and it sounded interesting to be on the other side.

I became a research administrator when I realized that I needed to reinvent myself. I had been a college administrator for more than 20 years and needed a change, but I wanted to stay in higher education. I had been a part of several successful grant efforts in those 20 years and thought that might be the way to go. I sent out 5 applications and received interview requests for all of them. The old saying “Third time’s the charm” was certainly the case here. I got the job and have loved being a part of a VERY active department ever since. It is great to be a part of a proposal team and I have had the opportunity to work with faculty, scientists, and research administrators across the U.S. and in several countries. It has been great to get to know some of them better as we have worked on multiple proposals together. Being a research administrator has been the perfect position for me and, when I eventually decide to retire, it will be from this job.

I became a Research Administrator in 2021. I had was wrapping up my MBA and looking for a role that encompasses more than just grants management. I now manage training grants in the Department of Surgery at my institution. Before I joined this role, I didn’t know how incredible and important this work is. I’m glad that I am able to experience research from the administrative side!

I actually started in Payroll and our research team was expanding. At that time, I was asked by our Dept. Administrator as well as our research administrator to apply for the job. They shared they thought I had what it took to be a great post award manager and the rest, they say, is history! I’m now a cradle to grave research administrator with no plans to leave the research community. I love helping make life changing strides in research in my own small way!