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2023 Office of Research and Innovation’s Employee Awards

On Dec. 6, 2023, the Office of Research and Innovation held its annual end-of-year celebration and employee awards ceremony. Seven awards were given, recognizing fourteen employees.

Outstanding Contributor: Customer Service

The Outstanding Contributor: Customer Service Award acknowledges someone who has consistently demonstrated commitment to being responsive, transparent, and helpful for their stakeholders.

Nominees look for solutions when confronted with non-standard situations, are professional, helpful, and prompt in all interactions with their customers, and always represent Research and Innovation in a positive manner with stakeholders.

Divya Amin posing with the Outstanding Contributor: Customer Service award.

Divya Amin
Director, Financial Compliance
Office of Sponsored Programs

Bill Ortega
Senior Finance and Travel Specialist
Finance
Office of Research and Innovation

Outstanding Contributor: Above and Beyond

Megan Moore posing with the Outstanding Contributor: Above and Beyond award.

Megan Moore
Senior Associate
Office of Sponsored Programs
Pre-Award

The Outstanding Contributor: Above and Beyond Award is given to those who consistently perform job functions in an “above and beyond” manner.

Exemplifying an extraordinary level of commitment, initiative, cooperation, and dedication in completing job responsibilities, the nominees possess an attitude of excellence and go above and beyond in the areas of extra effort, follow-through, and hard work in getting the job done. 

 

Outstanding Contributor: Innovation

The Outstanding Contributor Innovation Award acknowledges someone who has shown creativity in establishing a product, service, or solution that adds substantial value to the Office of Research and Innovation.

Nominees have addressed a clear need or solved a readily identifiable problem, added value that can be described as different, distinct, or a change from other alternatives, and have an impact that provides measurable value to the division’s goals and objectives overall.

The Electronic Research Administration Team

  • Carl Harris
    Chief Technology Architect
  • Trevor Keuther
    Quality Assurance and Business Analyst
  • Chris Dunavant
    Senior Software Engineer
  • Sai Reka 
    Java Developer
  • Radka Schenk-Kretinska
    Director, Electronic Research Administration
  • Justin Boblitt
    Java Developer
  • Sangeetha Muppidi
    Java Developer
  • Andrew Labunskyi
    Automation Quality Assurance Engineer
The Electronic Research Administration team posing with the Outsanding Contributor: Innovation award.  Pictured from left to right: Sai Reka, Justin Boblitt, Randy Heflin (senior associate vice president for research and innovation), Trevor Kuether, Radka Schenk-Kretinska, Sangeetha Muppidi, Andrew Labunskyi, and Carl Harris.
Pictured from left to right: Sai Reka, Justin Boblitt, Randy Heflin (senior associate vice president for research and innovation), Trevor Kuether, Radka Schenk-Kretinska, Sangeetha Muppidi, Andrew Labunskyi, and Carl Harris.

UT Prosim Award

Sarah Henderson
Quality Assurance / Quality Improvement Coordinator

Human Research Protection Program
Scholarly Integrity and Research Compliance

The Ut Prosim Award recognizes an employee or group of employees who have consistently demonstrated commitment to the university’s Ut Prosim (“that I may serve”) motto, excelling in service to their community.

Nominees engage in activities that make the university and the Office of Research and Innovation a more welcoming, equitable, and just environment; and/or engage in governance, other university service, or support activities that improve the human condition through community service. 

 

Senior Vice President's Special Recognition Award

Grant Brewer
Executive Director
LICENSE

Tammy Quesenberry
Senior Associate
Post Award, Financial Management
Sponsored Programs

Nominees

  • Regina Allen
    Director of Institutional Biosafety Committee Program 
  • Ted Alt
    Project Coordinator 
  • Justin Boblitt
    Java Developer
  • Jennifer Cartwright
    Senior Animal Care Technician
  • Ling Chen
    Senior Protocol Coordinator 
  • Chris Dunavant
    Senior Software Engineer
  • Kathleen Green
    Associate Director of Corporate Networks
  • Carl Harris
    Chief Technology Architect
  • Sarah Henderson
    Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Coordinator
  • Ashley Hendrickson
    Financial Reporting and Quality Control
  • Tara Jones
    Post-Award Team Lead
  • Trevor Kuether
    Quality Assurance and Business Analyst
  • Andrew Labunskyi
    Automation Quality Assurance Engineer

 

  • James Lane
    IT Manager
  • Jane Lee
    Associate Director of Pre-Award
  • Janet Ianni
    Associate Director of Financial Management
  • Robyn Lynch
    Office and Administrative Coordinator 
  • Megan Moore
    Senior Pre-Award Associate
  • Sangeetha Muppidi
    Java Developer
  • Bill Ortega
    Senior Travel & Finance Specialist
  • Sai Reka
    Java Developer
  • Trudy Riley
    Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation
  • Chelsea Schmolitz
    Senior Pre-Award Associate
  • Gina Tamburro
    Associate Director of Alumni and Corporate Engagement
  • Anna Wehr
    Project Coordinator
  • Cyndy Williams
    Senior Contract Associate