Taña Spencer

Works with department chair and the dean's office to develop short- and long-term strategic plans for a variety of research portfolios

Develops forecasting models to monitor current funding and to determine future funding needs, including cost principles, reimbursements, cost transfers, allocation of costs, financial monitoring and reporting, and project close-out

Leads a team of research award specialists and support staff who provide pre- and post-award contract and grant management; allocates resources, set priorities and monitors all activities within the research support team

Develops and monitors policies and procedures for Research Administrative Support operations; institutes best practices that effectively and efficiently support the research administration of the engineering school

Manages contract and grant proposal preparation processes for the more demanding and reporting-intensive sponsors with varying policies, restrictions, and deliverables.

Approves all proposals prepared by the team prior to delivery to the university’s Office of Sponsored Projects Research; ensures that all proposals adhere to the proposal requirements that have been set the sponsor

Advises faculty on complex contract and grant terms that may impact the administration of a project involving multiple institutions in both the U.S. and international sites

Facilitates the terms and conditions of awards, budget augmentation and project period with the principles; ensures compliance with all state and federal agency regulations, industry, non-profit organizations and university procedures

Provides post-award financial administration and management for the more complex research funds

Act as liaison to other research units involved in research administration