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Contact Information

Email: ebemmel@emory.edu

Phone: TBD

Biography

Edwin Bemmel is the Associate Vice President for Research Grants and Contracts (RGC). He is responsible for the oversight of the central administration of post award activities, including all award set up, post award administration, and award close out activities on sponsored awards.

Prior to joining Emory University, Edwin worked at University of Miami (UM), Geisinger Health System (GHS), and Florida Atlantic University (FAU). During his tenure at FAU, he also worked as an Associate Controller, overseeing Payroll, Accounts Payable, Property Management, and General Accounting for about six years.

Edwin earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership, Higher Education from FAU. There, he also received his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Accounting, as well as a second bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems. Edwin is a Certified Public Accountant.

Contact Information

Email: jtiako@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-4248

Biography

Jumionne Tiako is the Director for Award Setup and Close Out Research Grants and Contracts (RGC). She is responsible for managing activities involved in research administration's complex award setup process and managing the associated data elements. She serves as a university expert in the award set up process for the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), Research Administration Services (RAS), and Research Grants & Contracts (RGC). In addition, she helps to ensure the quality of Emory's research administration data, including the development of tools and business processes. She manages a skillful team of 10 individuals, two of whom are Managers, comprising the Award Setup team.

Before coming to RGC, Jumionne negotiated a wide range of complex contractual agreements as the Senior Associate Sponsored Research Analyst in Emory's Office of Sponsored Programs.

Prior to coming to Emory University, Jumionne held several positions at the Academy for Educational Development in Washington DC. She was responsible for managing all prime contracts as the Sr. Contracts/Grants Administrator within the Grants and Contracts division. In addition, she was a Program/Finance Associate within the Office of Gender Equity, where she was responsible for girls' education program activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Ghana, and Mali.

She is the Co-chair of ORA's Social Justice Working Group (SJWG) for FY20-21.

Jumionne holds a BA in Sociology and a Certificate in Urban Studies and Planning from Kent State University.

Contact Information

Email: brian.miller@emory.edu

Phone:(404) 727-5230

Biography

Brian Miller is the Director of Post Award Operations in the Office of Research Administration (ORA): Grants and Contracts (RGC). He is responsible for managing all post award activities involved in research administration inclusive of invoicing and submission of financial reports. He serves as an institutional fiscal signatory providing expert knowledge to Emory schools and other offices within ORA such as the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), Research Administration Services (RAS), and Research Compliance and Regulatory Affairs (RCRA). In addition, he enforces compliance monitoring, coordinates audits, mentors/instructs junior staff, and is a leader in organizational strategic planning for high-performance teams. He oversees an expert team of twenty consisting of, two associate directors, four financial managers, and fourteen analysts comprising the Operations team.

Brian has been with Emory since 2016. He has over fifteen years of experience in research administration all in post-award management and is a Certified Research Administrator (CRA). He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire. Before coming to Emory, he previously worked as a Grants Accountant team lead at the University of Florida and an Executive Administrator in the private sector biotechnology arena specializing in management of human resources, payroll, corporate accounting, venture capital investments and grant writing.

Contact Information

Email: carlos.a.salinas@emory.edu  

Phone: 404-727-2535

Biography

Carlos Salinas is an Associate Director in the Office of Research Grants and Contracts and serves as a lead expert in sponsored research accounting and financial analysis. He supervises grants and contracts administration staff and provides guidance in day-to-day tasks and assignments.

 His duties involve developing policies and procedures for research accounting practices; routinely provides policy and procedure interpretation to academic departments and research administration service units. He is responsible for the accuracy and oversight of the preparation and timely submission of invoices, financial reports to federal and non-federal sponsors for assigned area, as well as is responsible for oversight of the closeout process per requirements of sponsors and Emory systems.

 He develops and delivers research administration training sessions to the University research community and ensures that sponsored program information is accurately recorded in the financial system.

 Carlos has been with Emory since 2016 and holds a bachelor’s degree in Internal Business Administration and Finance with a minor in Economics from Temple University, as well as holds a Certified Research Administration certificate, and serves as active member on the Collaborate Community Working Group in NCURA.

Contact Information

Email: xiaowen.ma@emory.edu

Phone: 404-727-8419

Biography

Xiaowen Ma is an Associate Director of Operations in Research Grants and Contracts (RGC). She is responsible for mentoring and training staff, creating business procedures, reviewing and submitting financial reports, and approving final invoices. She is also responsible for any day-to-day tasks related to grant management. Xiaowen and her team support ABOSS, BSCI, and YRK RAS units’ post award needs.

Xiaowen received her MBA/Financial Planning degree from Florida Atlantic University. She is a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) since 2018.

Contact Information

Email: patrick.amihere@emory.edu

Phone: TBD

Biography

Patrick Amihere is Associate Director for Research Grants and Contracts Department at Emory University. He is responsible for overseeing and managing Sponsored Grants Financial Reconciliations, Final Report Submissions, and Award Closeouts for Emory’s Sponsored Research Enterprise.
Prior to joining Emory University, Patrick served as the Director of Sponsored Project Administration at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (Pre & Post), Post-Award Director at the University of Texas Medical Center’s office of Sponsored Projects, Assistant Director of the office of Sponsored Research at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Practice Manager Grants Consultant at Highstreet IT Solutions. His experience also includes working at Medstar Health Inc., Johns Hopkins University’s Sponsored Project Shared Services, and as an information systems auditor with the United States Army Audit Agency.
Patrick earned his master’s degree in Accounting and Information Systems Management and bachelor’s degree in Business Administration majoring in Accounting. He is also a Certified Fraud Examiner, a Certified Internal Control Auditor, and currently enrolled in the Doctor of Higher Education Administration program.
In addition, he has completed PeopleSoft and Oracle Fusion Cloud Grants Certifications, multiple System Implementations and PeopleSoft 9.2 Upgrade for Sponsored Grants Management and Research Administration. Patrick currently serves as an Audit Committee Member of the Higher Education User Group (HEUG), also known nationally as the Alliance Conferences where he has presented multiple times on various research administration and PeopleSoft Grants Management topics.

Contact Information

Email: maria.francesca.millstein@emory.edu

Phone: TBD

Biography

Francesca Bardi is a Financial Manager for the Research Grants and Contract Office. She is responsible for all post-award management activities associated with her portfolio. Francesca is interested in training and talent development. She currently chairs the RGC Skills Club and is a member of the Employee Engagement Committee. 

Francesca has been with Emory since 2020. Prior to this, she served for 5 years as the Program Coordinator for the Department of Biomedical Research at National Jewish Health in Denver, CO. She received her master's degree in Ag. Econ and Business Development/Latin American Studies from the University of Florida in 2008. Francesca has been a Certified Research Administrator since 2019 and Certified Financial Research Administrator since 2022.

Contact Information

Email: donna.blessitt-young@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-1441

Biography

Donna is a Financial Manager in Research Grants and Contracts (RGC). She is responsible for post award processing of grants and contracts in RGC which includes account management, reconciliation, and resolution for principal investigators and research support personnel within the department or school, and coordinates with the division business management to resolve contractual issues. In addition, she provides policy and procedure interpretation to academic departments and assists in the preparation of reports to federal and sponsoring agencies.

Donna has over 26 years of accounting and financial expertise. She has worked in Research Administration for approximately 15 years, which began at Georgia Institute of Technology.

Donna has been with Emory University since 2013. She holds a BS in Business Administration from DeVry Institute of Technology, and a MBA in Accounting and Financial Management from Keller Graduate School of Management. Donna has been a valued member of NCURA, Region III, since 2019 where she is part of the Financial Research Administration Community Working Group.

Contact Information

Email:earen.pounds@emory.edu

Phone:(404) 727-5012

Biography

Earen Pounds, Financial Manager in the Research, Grants & Contracts office, is responsible for the post award administration for 19 departments at the Emory Primate Research Center RAS, and 3 departments for the Anesthesiology, Brain Health, Orthopaedics, and Surgical Services (ABOSS) RAS. He is responsible for closeout, indirect cost analysis, monitoring grant compliance, and processing and submitting invoices and financial reports to federal and non-federal agencies.

Earen received his bachelor's degree in Economics from Emory University in 2009 and began working at Emory shortly after.

Contact Information

Email: ltate3@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-5903

Biography

Lisa Tate is a Financial Manager for Research, Grants and Contracts. She serves as a lead expert in sponsored research accounting and financial analysis.  Responsible for post award processing of grants and contracts. Assists in developing policies and procedures for research accounting practices, reviewing contracts, preparing invoices and financial reports to sponsoring agencies, updating database records, maintaining grants and contract files, Lisa is also responsible for monitoring NIH Contracts, monitoring accounts receivables and deliverable reports. Working with the division business managers to resolve contractual issues.

Lisa has over 22 years of experience working in research. Before coming to Emory in 2008, Lisa worked at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff which is a Land Grant Institution with focuses in Agricultural and Aqua- Culture and 3 years at Clark Atlanta University. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Finance from University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Contact Information

Email: vbarne7@emory.edu

Phone: TBD

Biography

Venise Barnes is a Senior Sponsored Research Financial Analyst in the office of Research Grants & Contracts. She is responsible for post award management for a variety of units. She is responsible for providing account oversight, reconciliation and resolution. Venise is an effective relationship manager that fosters collaborations with Principal Investigators and research support personnel across departments and schools.

She has been part of Emory University since 2022. She previously served as a Research Finance Manager at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She is an Alumna of the Monroe College King Graduate School where she earned her MBA.

Contact Information

Email: christopher.bradley@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-1348

Biography

Christopher Bradley is a Financial Analyst for Research Grants and Contracts (RGC).  He is responsible for invoicing, provides account management, reconciliation, and resolution for principal investigators and research support personnel within a department or school for an assigned portfolio of awards/contracts.  In addition, Christopher works with division business managers to resolve contractual issues, assist sponsors with concerns or needs, ensure compliance with contract regulations and reporting requirements, and closing out of contracts. 

Before coming to RGC, Christopher was as Senior Accountant for Emory Healthcare.  In this role, he was responsible for month-end close activities, management of Fixed Assets, create Capital Budgets for Fixed Assets, create new project (CIP), gift, or restricted accounts and speedtypes for all hospital’s Business Units, and monitor CIP account’s budgets for deficits and capitalizations. 

Christopher holds a BBA in Accounting from Fort Valley State University and a MBA with a Concentration in Accounting from Clayton State University. 

Contact Information

Email: joy.gardner@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 712-4352

Biography

Joy began her career at Emory in June 2013 where she worked in OGCA as a Financial Analyst and performed post award management such as invoicing, financial reporting, and account reconciliation for both federal and non-federal awards. She is currently a Lead Financial Analyst managing portfolios for the SOM, HSS and CAPS RAS units.

Joy received her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from The University of Alabama, and holds a MBA with a concentration in Accounting and has over 10 years of research administration experience.

Contact Information

Email: phe@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-8774

Biography

Paige He, Lead Sponsored Research Financial Analyst for Research Grants and Contracts Operations, is responsible for financial reporting, invoicing, award closeout and special projects as well as the day to day post-award management of sponsored grants. She is under RGC team1 who serve following RAS units: Basic Science, ABOSS and Emory Primate Center.

Paige has been with Emory University since 2001. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Accounting from Eastern Michigan University.

Contact Information

Email: chantel.jackson@emory.edu

Phone: TBD

Biography

Chantel Jackson is a Senior Sponsored Research Financial Analyst. She is responsible for post award processing of grants and contracts. Providing account management, reconciliation, and resolution for principal investigators and research support staff. She joins Operations from the University of Miami, where she worked as a Research Grants Analyst performing post award financial management of grants, contracts, and clinical trials, including budget planning, preparation of reports, and monitoring of financial activities.

Chantel holds a Master of Business Administration degree in International Business from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Broward College.

Contact Information

Email: kimberly.jennings@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-1961

Biography

Kimberly Jennings is a Lead Sponsored Research Financial Analyst in the Office of Research, Grants and Contracts (RGC). She serves as a lead expert in sponsored research accounting and financial analysis. She is responsible for cradle to grave, post award management for PEDS, PHN and C&I RAS Units. This includes reviewing contracts, preparing invoices and financial reports, and closeout of awards.

Kimberly has been with Emory University since 2010. Before joining Emory, she began her research administration career at Wayne State University (WSU) in Detroit, MI as an Accountant II in the Office of Sponsored Program Administration. She would later become a Budget Analyst III in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Kimberly holds a BS in Accounting from Tuskegee University and a MBA with a concentration in Finance from Clark Atlanta University.

Contact Information

Email: david.ramirez@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-5592

Biography

David Ramirez, Research Financial Analyst for Research Grants and Contracts, is responsible for post award processing of grants and contracts, which include account management, balance sheet reconciliation, contract interpretation and direct support with accounts payable/receivable processes. Holding a portfolio of 190+ active awards, he works with the division business managers to resolve contractual issues, communicating with sponsors, ensuring compliance with contract regulations and reporting requirements, and closing out contracts.

David has been with Emory University since 2018. Having served several roles in Project Management and Operations for 20+ years, he received his BBA from Oglethorpe University, with a concentration in Economics and Strategic Management, and an MBA in Corporate Finance from Universidad Tec Milenio.

Contact Information

Email: john.c.taylor@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-1520

Biography

John C. Taylor is a Senior Sponsored Research Financial Analyst in the office of Research Grants and Contracts. He is responsible for cradle to grave, post award management for SOM, HSS and CAPS RAS Units. In this role, he is responsible for the post award processing of grants, and provides account management, reconciliation, and resolution for principal investigators and research support personnel within a department or school.

John has been an employed by Emory University for 5 years. Prior to coming to Emory, he served as a Grants and Contracts Officer, II at his alma mater, Georgia State University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Contact Information

Email: winsome.thompson@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-1563

Biography 

Winsome Thompson is a Sponsored Research Financial Analyst, Sr. for the Research Grants and Contracts office. She is responsible for post award processing of grants and contracts. Her duties include account management, reconciliation and resolution for principal investigators and research personnel. Other duties include invoicing, reviewing contracts, communicating with sponsors, closing out contracts, etc.

Winsome has been in research administration for the last 9 years. Prior to research administration, she worked in general accounting as a Senior Accountant across diverse industries such as: Non-Profits, Joint Ventures, Beverage and Finance to name a few.

Winsome has been with Emory University since 2012. She started out as a Contractor then became an employee in 2015. She received her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Herbert H. Lehman College.

Contact Information

Email:  mzah@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-8664

Biography

May is a manager for Post Award Setup team, a part of Research, Grants and Contracts in the Office of Research Administration (ORA). She provides management and oversights a group of team members with an emphasis on managing, evaluating, approval, and training. Her duties include reviewing various types of agreements, including federal grants, contracts, non-for-profit agency’s grants and contracts, and clinical trial agreements, to ensure that all the awards are set up correctly in the system. In addition, May prepares operational and statistical reports for up level management, which will be incorporated into ORA monthly/yearly award report. Prior to coming to Emory, May was a Grants and Contract Negotiator/Subcontract Manager in the Office of Sponsored Programs at the Pennsylvania State University. May graduated with Health Policy and Administration major from Pennsylvania State University.

Contact Information

Email: jdixon2@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-1007

Biography

Jamena L. Dixon, Award Analyst II, is a member of the RGC Post Award Setup Team (PAS) in The Office of Research Administration. Jamena is responsible for analyzing and setting up research awards adding to the Compass System. Jamena also assists with training and providing support to her managers and co-workers about the policies and procedures of the department.

Jamena has been with Emory University since March 2006. She received her Associates of Science degree in Social Work from Georgia State University in December 2017.

Contact Information

Email: ckeelen@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-2864

Biography

Candice Ebanks, Award Analyst I for the Office of Research, Grants & Contracts, is responsible for Analyzing complex Sponsored agreements. She supports 23 Departments across Office of Research Administration, including responding to inquiries concerning established databases, policies, and procedures specific to departmental operations.

Candice has been with Emory since 2013.

Contact Information

Email: lmfranc@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-1908

Biography

Wand Francis is an Award Analyst II in Research Grants & Contracts/Post Award Setup Team in ORA. Wanda has been part of the Award Setup Team since 2008. Wanda is responsible for analyzing and processing the set-up of Research Grants into our Compass System. Wanda was part of the Compass Upgrade Team 9.2.

Wanda has been with Emory since October 2007.

Contact Information

Email: nicole.duprey@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-1841

Biography

Nicole Guerrero is an Awards Analyst II in the Office of Research Grants & Contracts. She is serves as a lead expert in sponsored research award setup. Utilizing her analytical skills, she is responsible for complex award setup of grants and contracts. Her responsibilities include reviewing data for new and existing awards, ensuring accuracy of contract and award interpretation, detailed budgets, and PeopleSoft entries. Nicole serves as a liaison between OSP, Research Administrative Services (RAS) units, and RGC. She collaborates with Ras units, business managers, departmental administrators and faculty and assists managers with resolving issues and training new staff.

Nicole has been with Emory University within the RGC award setup department since 2011, and studied Business Administration at Shorter University.

Contact Information

Email:  tegegne.mekuria.hailegebrale@emory.edu

Phone: TBD

Biography

Hailegebrale Tegegne is a Senior Sponsored Financial Analyst in the Office of Research, Grants & Contracts Operations (RGC).

He is responsible for Post award processing of grants and contracts; account management, reconciliation and resolution; Closely work with Finance managers, colleagues and cross functionally to advises and interpret funding awards and contracts are consistent with regulatory and university practices; perform routine professional accounting duties requiring limited judgments, billing and communication with sponsors; review FSRs, process closeouts, perform other duties as assigned.

Before coming to RGC, He served as Accountant and Financial Analyst in RAS-ABOSS & Goodwill MN. He also served as a Specialties Business Line Sales Manager, Retail Area Manager, Senior & junior Accountant, Customer Serv. Rep. in Total Oil and ExxonMobil Oil - Ethiopia Branch.  

Contact Information

Email: hanan.a.ibrahim@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-3056

Biography

Hanan Ibrahim, Awards Analyst for the Office of Research Administration- Grants & Contracts Set up team. She is responsible for reviews, interprets, and enters award setup data integral to PeopleSoft through the complex award setup process of research administration, reviews associated data elements for the maintenance of existing awards, and reviews files and documentation for missing/incomplete information. Evaluate new awards, continuations, supplements, modifications, and provisional accounts initiated by staff in the OSP, ensuring the accuracy of contract/award interpretation, detailed budgets, and PeopleSoft data entry.

Hanan joined Emory in March 2018; before coming to Emory, Hanan served as The Business Manager, Finance Manager, Finance Specialist/Associate, and Senior Accountant for UN agencies & NOGs in the USA, Sudan, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Lebanon.

Hanan received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Sudan University for Science and Technology and an MBA in Finance Management from University of South Asia.

Contact Information

Email:  keirra.johnson@emory.edu

Phone: TBD

Biography

Keirra Johnson, Award Data Management Specialist for the Office of Research.  She is responsible for ensuring documents are accurate and in the appropriate location in the central grants system.  Uploads all NOAs to OnBase; combines all documents provided by OSP/FGC with the printed NOA; ensures awards are uploaded by reviewing the OnBase log and the O drive or logging into OnBase to verify; if documents are not found, works with Compass technical support to find a resolution.  Uploads all supporting documents to the I drive utilizing the Auto Capture program; if files are not created, contacts OSP/OTT for assistance.

Keirra has been with Emory University since 2021.  She received her Bachelors in Psychology from The Fort Valley State University, and received her Masters in Environmental Health from The Fort Valley State University in December of 2021.

Contact Information

Email: ckilgor@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-1038

Biography

Cheryl Kilgore is an Senior Financial Analyst for Research, Grants, and Contracts.  She is responsible for supervising several professional staff and provides guidance in day-to-day tasks and assignments.  She manages activities involved in the complex award setup process, including but not limited to reviewing contracts, budget reconciliation reviews, and resolving issues that arise during the award setup process.  She has been with Emory University since May 2006.  She received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Georgia State University. 

Contact Information

Email:  rose.waller@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-2280

Biography

Rose Waller, Award Analyst I with Research Grants and Contracts, Post Award Setup is responsible for ensuring data integrity analysis by reviewing, interpreting, and entering award setup data integral to the complex award setup process of research administration, reviews associated data elements for new and existing awards, reviewing files and documentation for missing/incomplete information. Serves as a liaison between OSP/Research Administrative Services (RAS) units and RGC ensuring accuracy of contract/award interpretation, detailed budgets, and PeopleSoft data entry. 

Rose has been with Emory since 2008, working in IT, and Nephrology Transplant.  She received her undergraduate degree in Human Resources Management and master’s in Business Intelligence from Capella University.

Contact Information

Email: brittany.woodfaulk@emory.edu

Phone: (404) 727-1545

Biography

Brittany is an award specialist with RGC. She evaluates new awards, continuations, supplements, modifications and provisional accounts initiated by staff in the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), ensuring accuracy of contract/award interpretation, detailed budgets, and PeopleSoft data entry. Brittany has been with Emory for 5 years and is currently earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Strayer University. She will complete the program by August 2022.