Every year, the University of Michigan’s Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) highlights exemplary contributions by staff members to the university’s expansive research initiatives. This year, 12 staff members from diverse departments have been acknowledged for their dedication and expertise.
The honorees, spanning nine different schools, colleges, and units, will each receive a $1,000 honorarium as a token of appreciation. “Our staff members are a driving force of everything we do as a research organization,” remarked Arthur Lupia, vice president for research and innovation. He added, “We are able to achieve exceptional things because we have exceptional people at every level of our organization. I am very grateful for their incredible dedication and skill in supporting our collective mission to serve the world through research.”
Since its inception in 2001, the OVPR’s Research Staff Recognition Awards have celebrated the remarkable contributions of nearly 140 University of Michigan staff members, acknowledging their expertise and dedication to the university’s research operations.
This year’s award ceremony is scheduled for May 14 at the Michigan League, where the following individuals will be celebrated for their outstanding contributions:
Research Staff Leadership Recognition Award
David Howell, director of University of Michigan Operations for the American National Election Studies and director of Studies for the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems, Institute for Social Research
Research Study Coordinator/Manager Staff Recognition Award
Kristen Pickup, clinical research coordinator lead, Medical School
Research Associate/Assistant/Technician Recognition Award
Lily Johns, research associate, School of Public Health
Research Data Management & Analysis Staff Recognition Award
C. Ann Vitous, lead research specialist, School of Information
Julie Gilbert, database administrator senior, School of Public Health
Research Staff Support Recognition Award
Gabriel Harp, director of research and creative practice, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
Research Cores/Facilities Staff Recognition Award
Shawn Wright, lead engineer in research, College of Engineering
Research Administrator Recognition Award
Melissa Wallace, research administrator lead, Institute for Social Research
Outstanding New Research Administrator Recognition Award
Rebecca Wren, research administrator, Office of Research, UM-Dearborn
Excellence in Research Safety Staff Recognition Award
Lisa Steiner, animal safety coordinator, Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine
OVPR Exceptional Staff Recognition Award
Nicole Sitek, assistant director, Office of National Labs, OVPR
OVPR Research Leadership Recognition Award
Henry Dyson, director of faculty honorifics, OVPR
The selection committee, which included Carly Bower, Tiffany Brutus, Neil Carver, Vess Clarke, John Corthell, Erin Czarniak, Peter Eldred, Janet Follo, Kim Gaedeke, Andy Satkowiak, and Alena Stocking, was assisted by Angela Snow in the decision-making process.
