2026 Research Administrative Symposium

Dr. Lory Hayes, Research Security Officer, Director, Disclosures & Scholarly Activities Management (DSAM)

Research security affects everyone in the research enterprise. Learn how UM is translating research security mandates into practical solutions that strengthen compliance, protect research, and position the institution for future success.

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Jill Vampola, Health Sciences Research Service Corp, University of California San Diego

Gain insight into the pre-award lifecycle of training grants, including proposal development, budgeting nuances, eligibility considerations, and sponsor-specific requirements.

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Stephane Malebranche, Director, Research Administration

Learn how to efficiently manage and track award closeout activities in ServiceNow, including key workflows, compliance requirements, and best practices for ensuring timely and accurate closeout.

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Dr. Mabel Algeciras, Manager, Regulatory Affairs & Reliances; Evelyne Bital, Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs & Reliances 

Review the regulatory framework supporting single Institutional Review Board (IRB) review, define key reliance terminology, and explain the roles and responsibilities of relying and reviewing institutions.

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Vivienne Carrasco, Associate Director, Regulatory Oversight, Human Subject Research Office (HSRO)

Discuss best practices in simultaneous submissions to IRB & ORA and general helpful tips to ensure a comprehensive & timely review.

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Abigail Maurio, Executive Director, Contract Administration; Stewart Maclntyre, Executive Director, Office of Research Administration; Tiffany-Ashley Disney, Licensing Associate, Office of Technology Transfer

Join representatives from the Office of Research Administration (ORA), Office of Technology Transfer (OTT), and Contract Administration for an interactive discussion on the University's Contract Matrix. This session will help attendees understand which office is responsible for various agreement types, common routing challenges, and best practices for ensuring agreements are submitted to the correct office the first time. Panelists will answer questions, clarify roles and responsibilities, and share insights to help streamline the contract review and negotiation process. The session aligns with the purpose of the Contract Matrix as a resource for determining responsibility for contract review and routing.

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Tony Carna, Associate Vice President (AVP), Research Administration; Jorge Vazquez, Executive Director, Cancer Center Operations, MSOM; Tracy Ehrlich, Director, Sponsored Programs, CAS 

This panel will discuss proposal development and the submission process. Panelists will share best practices for cross department/college collaboration, budgeting, compliance, institutional review, and collaboration between investigators and research administrators. Attendees will gain practical insights and strategies to strengthen proposals and improve the likelihood of successful submission.

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Recording; Password: um

Dr. Lory Hayes, Research Security Officer, Director, Disclosures & Scholarly Activities Management (DSAM); Chandra Persaud, Associate Director, Office of Research Administration; Dr. Whitney Hough, Director, Office of Technology Transfer 

SBIR/STTR grants are federal funding programs that advance promising discoveries toward real-world impact and commercial development. Successfully applying for and managing this award requires coordination across several University offices. 

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Dr. Ellen Kapsalis, Director of Compliance, Compliance Committees, The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), The Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential Committee (DURC & PEPP), The Embryonic Stem Cell Oversight Committee (ESCRO), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Explore the remarkable impact of animal research, review key regulatory developments affecting federally funded research, and discuss how emerging compliance requirements will influence the future scope of scientific investigation.

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William Collins, Director, Export Control; Ignacio Calle, Director, Purchasing

Discuss “how to” assist UM Business Offices, Researchers/PI’s, and the Academy Business Units for “relief” of the United States Government tariffs on foreign commodities. 

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Lionel Vera, Executive Director, Research Administration; Kelly Padgett, Sr. Center Administrator, Human Genomics; Michelle Ward, Director, Finance & Sponsored Programs, Human Genomics

Covering budget-to-actual reviews, allowability checks, subaward monitoring, and documentation standards.

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Recording; Password: um

Jill Vampola, Health Sciences Research Service Corp, University of California San Diego

Explore post-award management strategies for training grants, with emphasis on financial oversight, participant tracking, effort compliance, and reporting requirements.

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Recording; Password: um

Nicole McCullough, Director, Regulatory Support, Investigator Initiated Trial Services at the U (IITS-U); Yolanda Davis, Director, Clinical Research Management & Support Office (CRMSO)

Explore common challenges encountered across the research lifecycle. Through real-world scenarios and audience participation, attendees will identify potential pitfalls, discuss practical approaches to addressing them, and discover resources available to support successful study conduct.

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Yun Wu, Executive Director, Research Accounting & Cost Analysis

Provide attendees with updates on Service Center operations. Topics will include the implementation of the new Service Center Operations Manual, governance and oversight, billing and cost recovery, compliance requirements, internal controls, operational best practices, and recent process improvements. Attendees will also receive an update on Effort Reporting, including current compliance expectations and best practices to support effective research administration and institutional compliance.

Presentation

Stewart Maclntyre, Executive Director, Office of Research Administration

This presentation provides attendees with an overview of the Contracts Team’s role and responsibilities, along with updated guidance on the efficient and accurate submission of research-related agreements and contracts. Participants will gain insight into the contract review process, workflow considerations, and best practices for facilitating timely review and execution.

Presentation

Tony Carna, Associate Vice President, Melissa Peerless, Managing Sr. Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations; Research Administration; Josy Garcia-Arauz, Manager, Research Administration

Leveraging AI to Accelerate Research Administration:Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming research administration through practical tools designed to improve efficiency, compliance, and strategic decision-making. This session will showcase AI-powered applications that help investigators identify potential research collaborators, discover funding opportunities aligned with their expertise, and streamline post-award payroll accounting adjustment justifications through automated analysis and documentation support.

Attendees will learn how these innovative solutions can reduce administrative burden, enhance funding competitiveness, support compliant post-award management, and empower research teams to focus more time on advancing scientific discovery.

Presentation

Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) various speakers; Katuzka Barbery, Director, Clinical Trials, Jackson Memorial Hospital

Innovations, process improvements and strategies from the University of Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute and Jackson Health System that improve the timing and efficiency of impactful clinical research.

Presentation

Marcos Garza, Assistant Vice President for Research Operations (MSOM); Stewart MacIntyre, Executive Director, Contracts, Office of Research Administration; Tatyana Vikhlyantseva, Director, Clinical Trials Activation (MSOM)

Join our panel of clinical research and administrative experts as they discuss the operational and administrative aspects of conducting a clinical research study, from protocol submission and study start-up through ongoing management and closeout. Panelists will highlight a new streamlined process designed to improve efficiency, reduce administrative burden, enhance compliance, and accelerate study activation. Attendees will gain practical insights into navigating key research administration requirements and learn how enhanced coordination across institutional offices is supporting a more seamless clinical research experience.

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Recording; Password: um

Ishwar Ramsingh, Executive Director, Research Privacy

Explore how the Data Security & Artificial Intelligence Ancillary Committee (DSAC)  evaluates research involving artificial intelligence, highlighting key privacy, security, and compliance considerations, while sharing common observations, trends, and lessons learned from past reviews.

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