2025 Research Administrative Symposium

The Symposium provides a professional development and networking opportunity for the UM research administration community. This year's theme is, “Bridging Innovation and Integrity,” reflects the vital role research administrators play in advancing cutting-edge research while ensuring ethical and regulatory compliance. Registration for each session is in ULearn. Keyword: Symposium.

2025 Research Administrative Symposium Scheduled Events

Monday, September 8, 2025

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Newman Alumni Center (Coral Gables Campus)

1:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS - (Multipurpose Room A&B)
  • Presented by Maria L. Alcaide, M.D., Vice Provost for Research & Scholarship and Guest Speaker (TBA)
1:50  p.m. - 2:15  p.m. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY/REFRESHMENTS (LIVING ROOM) 
2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS
  • UM's Research Security Program: Latest Updates, Policy Highlights and Real-World Case Studies (LIBRARY)
    • This session will deliver the most recent updates to the University of Miami’s Research Security Program, with a focus on UM’s response to evolving Export Control regulations and new federal concerns surrounding Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRPs). Attendees will gain practical insights through real-world case studies that demonstrate how these policies impact day-to-day research operations.
    • Presented by Lory Hayes, Director, OVPRS Disclosures and Scholarly Activities Management (DSAM) and William (Bill) Collins, Director, OVPRS Export Control Compliance 
  • Federal Update (MULTIPURPOSE ROOM A&B)
    • This session will review the latest federal Notices and Executive Orders in the research space. We will discuss the impact of the changing federal environment on research and research administration.  
    • Presented by Susan Stearsman, Interim Associate Vice President, Research Administration
  • Animal Research Oversight: Updates from IACUC (Executive Conference Room)
    • This presentation provides an overview of recent updates and developments in animal research oversight, with a focus on Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) policies and procedures. Attendees will gain insights into regulatory changes, best practices for protocol review, and strategies to ensure compliance with ethical standards in animal research. 
    • Presented by Dr. Ellen Kapsalis, Director, OVPRS Compliance
  • Pre-Award Session (Panel Discussion) - Part 1: Submissions and Contracting Proces (Fed/Foundation) (MULTIPURPOSE ROOM C) 
    • Panel Discussion relating to how to properly submit projects to ORA through IBIS as well as specifics on Contracting process - with a focus on Federal and Foundation funded projects. Q&A session to discuss specific questions.
    • Presented by Holly Kasem-Beg, Associate Director, ORA Contracts; Deborah Musgrove, Associate Director, ORA Applications; Adelei, Manager, ORA; Tatyana Vikhlyantseva, Director, ORA MCA/Budget; Stewart MacIntyre, Interim Executive Director, ORA Contracts
3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS
  • Data Security Best Practices for Researchers (Executive Conference Room)
    • Presented by Ishwar Ramsingh, Executive Director, Research Privacy
    • General Guidance for managing the research data lifecycle, including collection, transmission, storage and retention in an evolving data security environment.
  • Pre-Award Session (Panel Discussion) - Part 2: Industry Clinical (Multipurpose Room C)
    • Panel Discussion relating to how to properly submit projects to ORA through IBIS as well as specifics on Contracting process - with a focus on Industry funded Clinical projects. Q&A session to discuss specific questions. 
    • Presented by Holly Kasem-Beg, Associate Director, ORA Contracts; Deborah Musgrove, Associate Director, ORA Applications; Adelei, Manager, ORA; Tatyana Vikhlyantseva, Director, ORA MCA/Budget; Stewart MacIntyre, Interim Executive Director, ORA
  • New Monthly Reporting Package: Feedback session (Multipurpose A&B)
    • In this session, we will introduce a new project aimed at overhauling and enhancing the reports currently available to our PI’s and administrators for award management. We will outline the project's goals and early direction, and we’ll invite feedback to better understand your reporting needs and priorities as we shape the future of this initiative together.
    • Presented by Susan Stearsman, Interim Associate Vice President, Research Administration;  Lionel Vera, Executive Director, ORA Post Award
  • RPPR: Panel Discussion (LIBRARY)
    • RPPRs present a unique challenge to Grant Administrators as they support PIs. Both Pre- and Post-Award aspects are included, and answering  some of the questions requires specialized data.  Bring your questions and challenges and discuss the pain points with the ORA team in an effort to streamline the RPPR submission process.
    • Presented by Deborah Musgrove, Associate Director, ORA Applications; Stephane Malebranche, Director, ORA Post-Award, Joshua Pesch, Senior Manager, ORA Award Administration; Marquita Davis, Sr. Grant Administrator, ORA Administration
4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS
  • Admins Training Admins: Dept. Administrators and Pre-Award Leadership discuss what they do to handle submissions and Pre-Award matters efficiently (Multipurpose A&B)
    • ORA Pre-Award leadership as well as experienced Research Administrators will discuss their process on submissions to Pre-Award and will provide suggestions and tips. Q&A session to discuss specific questions.
    • Presented by Kelly Ann Padgett, Sr. Center Administrator; Tracy Ehrlich, Director, Sponsored Programs; Carola Martinez, Director Finance, MSOM Psychiatry, Research Administration; Holly Kasem-Beg, Associate Director, ORA Contracts; Deborah Musgrove, Associate Director, ORA Applications; Adelei, Manager, ORA; Stewart MacIntyre, Interim Executive Director, ORA
  • Clinical Research Billing Compliance (Executive Conference Room)
    • Clinical research billing basics
      • Governmental regulations for clinical research billing
      • Clinical research operations and billing compliance
      • UM policies and procedures for research billing compliance
      • Research at JHS and research billing compliance
      • Clinical research billing compliance and financial considerations
      • Collaboration between central offices and research community to ensure research billing compliance
    • Presented by Tatyana Vikhlyantseva, Director, ORA MCA/Budget
  • Artificial Intelligence in Grant Review (Multipurpose Room C)
    • Updating UM grant administrators about the impact of AI being used by researchers in grant applications.
    • Presented by Jerry Engel, OVPRS Quality Assurance Auditor/Research Integrity Investigator
  • Proposed New F&A Model: Implications for Proposals and Awards (LIBRARY)
    • The Joint Associations Group has proposed a new model for calculating and applying Facilities & Administration (F&A) rates in an effort to increase transparency and accuracy.  In this session we will present the new model, discuss possible implications for proposals and awards, and report on the federal timeline for acceptance.  
    • Presented by Yun Wu, Executive Director, ORA Research Accounting & Cost Analysis and Susan Stearsman, Interim Associate Vice President, Research Administration
QUESTIONS:

Please email vprs@miami.edu

DIRECTIONS:

 

Top