e-Education Institute

Melissa’s research administration career at Penn State began in the Office of Research Information Systems (ORIS) which sparked her interest in the field. She now leverages over 15 years of  pre- and post-award research administration experience at the college level in her role as a Senior Contracting Officer at Penn State. She engages with various sponsors in the Office of Sponsored programs to negotiate terms and conditions appropriate for an educational institution. Melissa is also a member of the Research Security Compliance Data Use Team.

Prior to her career in research administration, Melissa gained over ten years industry experience that encompasses project management, leadership in management roles, and creating new business models and infrastructure in small growing businesses. This experience has given her a solid base on handling change, growth, and pressure in dynamic business settings. Melissa currently chairs the SharePoint Committee where she is collaborating with colleagues on new document management systems and knowledge sharing processes.

Melissa has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Industrial Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Organization Development and Change from Penn State.

• Melissa negotiates the following:
  • Data Use Agreements (I-L)
  • Data Security Reviews (DUA & Non-DUA)
     
• Melissa also negotiates the following special agreements:
  • Pratt & Whitney (additional agreements not included in Mech Eng T-Z)