I work with trans-disciplinary teams of scientists, industry and nonprofit sector collaborators to develop and market research, environmental conservation, and education project ideas. The projects we develop are solution-oriented and use-inspired. Always targeted to address environmental and societal problems from holistic and innovative perspectives.
Managing Collaborative Research Development
At the start of 2019 I joined forces with the Associate Dean of Research at FIU’s College of Arts Sciences and Education (CASE) to form the CASE Research Development Office. Through this endeavor, I became the Institute of Water and Environment Research Development Officer. Ever since, I’ve been dedicated to foster team science and to work with researchers to develop and market ideas, aiming to gain support and attract resources – a crucial step in the journey to turn those ideas into reality.
Our work at the institute is focused on finding solutions to local and global environmental issues through science and technology. Our portfolio of projects extends from ocean research, to addressing water security issues, to biodiversity conservation and sea level rise.
Explore more about the focus of my research development work and the proposals I’ve helped craft below:
2019 Snapshot of Research Proposals I've worked on:
Topics of some of the proposals that I've helped develop in 2019:
- Developing low-cost technologies for early detection and monitoring of harmful algal blooms
- Countering wildlife trafficking in Africa through canine detection programs
- Socio-ecological approaches to build resiliency in coastal communities in the Caribbean
- Marine animals as mobile observatories
- Integrating practices in STEM education that support gender diversity in STEM fields
- Sea level rise in South Florida and urban resiliency
- Sustainable agricultural practices: impacts of mixed species plantings on water conservation
Here is a bit more about my work in research development and some of my day-to-day undertakings and accomplishments:
Formulate strategic plans toward expansion of research, direction of research programs, as well as education capabilities of the FIU Institute of Water and Environment.
Design graphics and illustrations to include in research proposals and effectively communicate project goals, activities and science concepts.
Develop interdisciplinary research proposals with science teams and collaborators across the globe. Since January, I have worked with teams of up to 15 investigators to craft and submit 19 proposals, ranging from $60,000 to $25,000,000, and submitted to federal agencies such as the NSF and NOAA, local governments and private foundations.
Develop timelines, goals, milestones and guide research teams through institutional and agency-specific processes.
Facilitate cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional team formation. Focusing on the inception and growth of local, regional and global research initiatives that are solution-oriented and connect social and natural sciences with technology and policy.
Devise and implement strategies and tools to promote collaboration and increase efficacy and efficiency of the proposal crafting process. I developed a set of organizational instruments and ‘best practices’ that have now been adopted across the College of Arts, Science and Education Research and Development Office.
Project Graphics Samples of graphics I've created as part of research proposals and projects.
Trainings + Skills Acquired:
Completed Grantsmanship for the Research Professional Course at Northwestern University in Chicago with Holly Falk-Krzesinski, Team Science expert and co-funder of the National Organization for Research Development Professionals.
Graphic Design – Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and web design platforms such as CASCADE and WordPress.
Completed online course on Grant Writing for Science and Education.
Regularly attend webinars and workshops hosted by agencies such as NSF and NOAA concerning topics around team science, convergent research, diversity and inclusion in STEM, and other evolving matters in the world of science and research.