ORSP Administration & Staff

ORSP Mailing Address:

MTSU Box 124
2269 Middle Tennessee Boulevard
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
 
Email: research@mtsu.edu; research2@mtsu.edu
 
 

david butlerDavid L. Butler, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies 
(615) 898-2182 
David.Butler@mtsu.edu



Tara Hayes, Administrative AssistantTara Hayes
Administrative Assistant to VPR & Dean  
Phone: (615) 898-5897    Fax: (615) 904-8020 
Tara.Hayes@mtsu.edu




rachel Rachel McGinnis
ORSP Director
Phone (615) 898-5010

Oversees all ORSP operations including award management and research compliance. 


Dr. Jamie BurrissJamie Burriss, Ph.D.
Program Manager
(615) 494-7669 
Jamie.Burriss@mtsu.edu

Oversees the Undergraduate Research Center (URC) including serving as the advisor for the Student Organization for the Advancement of Research (SOAR), oversight of URC communications, SOAR Ambassadors, and graduation distinction, facilitates the Undergraduate Research Experience and Creative Activity (URECA) grant cycles, coordinates events such as the Fall Open House, Scholars Week, and Posters at the Capitol, and organizes workshops offered by the URC.  Serves as Fulbright Scholar Liaison for faculty.  Oversees Export Control Compliance Verification forms for international travel.


nolan
 Nolan Hatley, Ph.D.
 Research Compliance Officer
 (615) 494-8918
 compliance@mtsu.edu ; nolan.hatley@mtsu.edu

 Responsible for specific components of research compliance including the Institutional Review Board, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and Research Integrity. Develop and implement policies, procedures, programs, and educational activities which satisfy Federal, State, local and institutional rules and regulations which govern proper conduct of research.


leelisa2

Lisa Lee
Accountant
(615) 904-8398
Lisa.Lee@mtsu.edu

Provides financial support for the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs by processing grants and contracts from draft through execution. Oversees faculty start-ups, budgeting, and more. Tracks URC, URECA, MT-IGO, ORSP, and VPR budgets and assists with projections. 

 


MedranoKatie

Katie Medrano
Coordinator 
(615) 904-8040
Katie.Medrano@mtsu.edu

Provides internal operational support for all areas of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, including internal research funding, procurement and personnel (hiring, termination, extra compensation, summer salary), events, faculty development, and website design. Facilitates the MT-Internal Grant Opportunities (MT-IGO) program, Grant Writing Enhancement Program (GEP), Raider Research Series, ORSP communications, and ORSP workshops and trainings.


 

julie1

Julie Darbonne
Coordinator 
(615) 898-2400
Julie.Darbonne@mtsu.edu
 

Supports departments with questions related to personnel (hiring, termination, extra compensation, and summer salary), travel, etc., and provides administrative support to the ORSP award specialist team. Coordinates responses to external surveys and prepares statistical reports for both internal audiences and state agencies regarding grant-related activity. Responds to internal and external inquiries to ORSP, assists with maintenance of the ORSP website, and manages grant-related communication to faculty and staff.

 


Awards Management Staff

 

Pre-Award

 

Keith Palmer, Award Management Specialist

Keith Palmer
Award Management Specialist
(615) 494-7600
Keith.Palmer@mtsu.edu

Pre-Award Assignments:

College of Basic and Applied Sciences - all departments except Biology  
College of Graduate Studies - Center for Health and Human Services (CHHS)  
James E. Walker Library  
Other Academic Affairs areas not listed  
 
 

Michelle Willard, Award Management Specialist

Michelle Willard
Award Management Specialist
(615) 494-7848 
Michelle.Willard@mtsu.edu

Pre-Award Assignments:

College of Behavioral & Health Sciences      
Jennings A. Jones College of Business  
College of Education  
College of Liberal Arts  
College of Media and Entertainment
College of Basic & Applied Sciences - Biology
University College and Office of Student Success
College of Graduate Studies - Data Science Institute
University President's Office
Student Affairs
International Affairs
Business and Finance

 

Post-Award

 

 

Kelsey BentonKelsey Benton
Award Management Specialist
615-904-8306
Kelsey.Benton@mtsu.edu
 
Post-Award Assignments:
 
College of Basic and Applied Sciences  - Office of the Dean, Aerospace, Concrete & Construction Management, College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, Jennings A. Jones College of Business  
University College  
College of Graduate Studies - Center for Health & Human Services  
Student Affairs  
College of Education
University President's Office
Agriculture
Geosciences

John SousaJohn Sousa, M.F.A.
Award Management Specialist
(615) 898-5894
John.Sousa@mtsu.edu

Post-Award Assignments:

College of Basic and Applied Sciences - Biology, Computer Science, Physics and Astronomy  
College of Liberal Arts  
College of Media and Entertainment  
College of Graduate Studies - Data Science Institute  
James E. Walker Library  
International Affairs
Business and Finance
Academic Affairs areas not already listed
Engineering Technology
Mathematical Sciences
Chemistry
TN STEM Education Center
 

MT-IGO