Recently, I attended, presented, and chaired the Operational Excellence panel at the 6th European Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management. More info on the IEOM Society here.  As an added surprise, I also received an award for Operational Excellence.

National Research Administrator Day on September 25th recognizes the contributions made by research administrators every day.

Sponsored Projects and Research Office team members play a critical role when it comes to supporting project directors and researchers in their efforts to generate funding and advance science, as well as provide critical grant-funded patient care services. 

Research Administrators serve an important role in supporting research. They assist PIs and research teams, protect the institution, and guarantee sound stewardship of research dollars. Their roles are multifaceted. From study feasibility, to award management, contract negotiations, to invoicing, to compliance and review, Research Administrators serve the lifecycle of a research or sponsored project. They keep a project on course. Most importantly, their management allows others to maintain focus on their individual roles as well.

How did I become the equivalent of the Lean Kool-Aid man? I wanted to make complex processes easier for my team and for my customers, while respecting the people involved.