New URA director to oversee research compliance, policy

Carol Zuiches, assistant vice provost for research and executive director of the office of sponsored programs at the University of Washington, has been appointed Associate Vice President for Research Administration at Chicago.

Zuiches, whose appointment is effective Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, will lead URA, a group that reports to the Vice President for Research and for National Laboratories and that is responsible for providing review and institutional endorsement of all applications, negotiation and acceptance of awards for sponsored funding, grant and contract management, information services and training. In her new role, Zuiches will be responsible for oversight and management of all research compliance and research-related policy matters.

Currently, Zuiches directs the University of Washington’s pre-award sponsored programs office and is responsible for administrative review and final approval of proposals and awards; grant and contract negotiations; subcontract development and negotiation; monitoring development and implementation of University policies regarding research; coordinating with the technology transfer office and legal counsel; implementing and monitoring University compliance with terms of awards; monitoring developments at federal agencies; maintaining the grant and contract database; and preparing routine and special management reports involving all aspects of sponsored programs.

Zuiches is a member of several committees at the University of Washington, including the business advisory group for the system that administers grants electronically, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/UW administrative operations committee, and ex officio member to the faculty council on research. She also chairs the export control committee.

Prior to her post at the University of Washington, Zuiches held positions of increasing responsibility at Washington State University from 1986 to 2000, including director of the office of grant and research development. She also was a program officer and assistant to the director in the office of sponsored program development at the State University of New York-Binghamton, and a policy analyst at the Performance Development Institute, Washington D.C.

She earned her B.S. in general science from the University of Portland and her M.A. in educational leadership from Washington State University.

“As we look to the future and consider the increasing importance of research administration both here and abroad, I can think of no better person to lead that effort than Carol,” said Donald Levy, Vice President for Research and for National Laboratories. “The breadth of knowledge and experience she brings to the position will enable the University to continue to develop and expand critical URA resources and programs.”

Susan Boone, Deputy Director of University Research Administration, has been serving as Interim Director of URA since Sunday, Sept. 1, following the retirement of Mary Ellen Sheridan, Associate Vice President for Research and Director of URA.

As a senior staff member, Boone has overseen the day-to-day activities of grant and contract administration and the URA Web site. She also developed and managed a University-wide training program for sponsored program administrators and represented the Associate Vice President for Research in on- and off-campus activities.

A nationally recognized figure in research administration, Sheridan retired from her position Friday, Aug. 31, after 13 years of service to the University.