Outstanding Research Staff Awards

The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) seeks nominations for the Outstanding Research Staff Awards. OVPR recognizes that the expertise, dedication, and professionalism of our diverse research support staff contributes essentially to the success of UNM’s research mission. The Outstanding Research Staff Awards are a component of our holistic commitment to promote a dynamic research support system via enhanced employee wellness, job satisfaction, and career advancement.

Award eligibility is limited to research administrators and similar support staff, including employees of the OVPR, Office of Sponsored Projects, Contract and Grant Accounting, Faculty Research Development Office, Office of Research Integrity & Compliance, Category III Research Centers, and other main and branch campus staff whose primary function is supportive of UNM’s research mission. Research support staff at all levels, including students and part-time employees, are eligible. This does not include research assistants or technicians working on behalf of a single investigator. Staff who receive an award will be ineligible in the subsequent 2 years.

Nominations may be made by any UNM staff, faculty, or student, but self-nominations are not permitted. Individuals may submit multiple nominations, one per award category.

Award winners will be selected by the OVPR executive committee. Each winner will receive $1000 and will be recognized during the Research Administrator’s Symposium in October.

For questions, and if you have any problems submitting a nomination, contact Melissa Emery Thompson, Assistant VP for Research memery@unm.edu.

Awardees

Fiscal YearStaff MemberAward Category

2024

Manuel Lopez Ainza (Office of Sponsored Projects)Outstanding New Staff Member

2024

Max Landman (Transformation Network)Outstanding New Staff Member

2024

Deanna Sprunk (CASAA)Exceptional Support to Researchers

2024

Christine Marquez (COEHS)Exceptional Support to Researchers

2024

Valery Estabrook (ARTSLab)Exceptional Support of Research Training

2024

Selena Connealy (EPSCoR)Special Achievement in Research Administration

2023

Lucas Reynolds, Business AnalystOutstanding new research staff member

2023

Renee Brown, Information ManagerExceptional support to researchers

2023

Jill Okun, Sr Contract and Grants Administrator, Cradle to Career Policy InstituteExceptional support to researchers

2023

Linda Mayo, Executive Director of Research Integrity and ComplianceExceptional research staff mentorship

2023

Harpo Faust, Senior Collections Manager, Museum of SW BiologyExceptional support of research training

2023

Daron Vigil-Scott, Sponsored Projects OfficerSpecial achievement in research administration

2022

Hannah Yohalem (Faculty Research Development Office)Outstanding New Staff Member

2022

Timothy Wester (Office of Sponsored Projects) 
Exceptional Support to Researchers

2022

Karen Walker (Center for High Technology Materials)Exceptional Support to Researchers

2022

Monica Fishel (Faculty Research Development Office) 
Exceptional Research Staff Mentorship

2022

Dr. Nicu-Viorel Atudorei (Center for Stable Isotopes)Exceptional Support for Research Training

2022

Katelin Fisher (Center for Water & the Environment)Exceptional Support for Research Training

2022

Valerie Crooker-Flint (Office of Research Integrity & Compliance)Special Achievement for Research Administration

2022

Vincent Sarracino (Faculty Research Development Office)Special Achievement for Research Administration