Assistant Vice President for Research appointed

Mary Ellen Sheridan, a leading university-research administrator and consultant, has been appointed Assistant Vice President for Research and Director of Research Administration by Provost Geoffrey Stone.

"We are very fortunate to have attracted Mary Ellen Sheridan to the University of Chicago," Stone said. "Ms. Sheridan has far-ranging experience in a variety of research-related issues. Her expertise will be invaluable as we deal with such difficult issues as conflicts of interests, animal care and indirect cost."

Sheridan, who joined the University late last quarter, since 1992 had been both senior manager in the higher-education division at David M. Griffith & Associates, based in Northbrook, Ill., and senior consultant with the Ohio State University/Ohio State University Research Foundation.

From 1989 to 1991, she concurrently held the positions of acting associate vice president for research administration at Ohio State University and vice president for administration at Ohio State University Research Foundation. From 1977 to 1987, she was associate vice president for research at SUNY at Binghamton. She also taught chemistry at both universities.

In her role as Director of Research Administration, Sheridan helps faculty members locate sources of research support and assists them in submitting proposals and negotiating awards. As Assistant Vice President for Research, she works with Associate Provost Gene Mazenko in formulating University policy relating to research.

Sheridan received her B.S. in chemistry in 1965 from the University of Michigan and her Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry in 1970 from University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a member and past president of the National Council of University Research Administrators and founding editor of the council's journal, Research Management Review. She is also a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Association of Women in Science.