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Research Operations
1599 Clifton Road NE - 4th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30322
Mailstop: 1599-001-1BE
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RBO Leadership
Sheritha Brown
Interim Chief Business Officer for Research; Director of Business and Finance
Contact Information
Email: sbrow23@emory.edu
Phone: 404-727-4685
Biography
Sheritha is the Director of Business and Finance for Research Business Operations (RBO). She has over 25 years of experience working at all levels of accounting. As the Director, Sheritha manages the work of the finance team, preparing and monitoring financial reports, and improving the financial processes while ensuring the division expenditures are compliant with the University. She also manages administrative staff to ensure the successful completion of day-to-day activities. In Sheritha's former role as manager, she orchestrated the preparation and implementation of a metrics system that enabled a high reduction in error rates for the division. In addition to the decrease in errors, there was an improvement of the processing time for travel expenses, reimbursement,s and invoices. Prior to joining Emory University in 2000, Sheritha worked at SunTrust Bank for eight years.
Alex Wagner
Director of Research Data Analytics
Contact Information
Email: alexander.wagner@emory.edu
Phone: 404-727-5385
Biography
Alex serves as the Director of Research Analytics in the Office of the Senior Vice President of Research at Emory University. He leads as small Data Analytics Team that serves as the central funnel for all research data and reporting needs within the research enterprise. Prior to coming to Emory in October 2020, Alex was the Director of Institutional Research at Lesley University and Fisher College in Massachusetts.
His experience with grants as a Principal and Co-Principal Investigator is primarily in the public safety area. While at Fisher College Alex, also led the Center for Leadership in Public Service obtaining grants in the criminal justice and traffic safety areas. Prior to that he served as the Senior Research Analyst and Data Coordinator for the Massachusetts Statistical Analysis Center at the Office of Grants and Research within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security in Massachusetts. There he managed federal and state research projects and grants including grant reporting. He still enjoys maintaining the contacts he made during this time and serves on the International Outreach Committee for the International Association of Crime Analysts as well as the Training Committee for the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts. Alex is a proud alumni of Auburn University and the University of Mannheim in Germany.
Cindy Cha
Senior Project Support Specialist
Biography
Cindy Cha is the Senior Project Support Specialist for the Office of Research Administration Business Operations (ORABO). She provides project management support and helps all of ORABO implement project management best practices. She holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting and is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
James Goff
Exec Director, Cost Studies/Reporting
Maria Mendez
Division Director for Human Resources and Operations
Contact Information
Email: mmendez@emory.edu
Phone:
Biography
With 18 years of experience at Emory, Maria Mendez is the Division Director for Human Resources and Operations for the Office of Research at Emory University, which supports the Emory strategic framework and the Emory research enterprise. Maria is the strategic leader for HR and operations, leading a team of five professionals committed to implementing the ORA strategy to recruit and develop a solid and supported workforce through talent acquisition, retention, and engagement of the office’s most valuable asset – the people.
Maria is a member of the Senior Leadership Team in Research Administration, leading the OneORA framework, co-leading the Research Administration Services HR Improvement Initiative and collaborating with central offices at Emory driving initiatives to support diversity, equity and inclusion, recruiting, engagement and retention. Maria strongly believes in creating and promoting a strong culture, using OneORA as a framework to the continuous evolution, growth and partnership and empowering employees to realize their full potential in their careers in Research Administration.
Prior to Emory, Maria was a senior consultant in Det Norske Veritas, Inc., providing consulting services in quality, environmental, health and safety management systems and assisting industries achieve certifications in compliance to international business standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 18001.
Maria holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Human Resources and Operations
Amanda Watson
Human Resources Manager
Biography
Amanda is the Human Resources manager for Research Business Operations (RBO). She is responsible for the management of the human resources function for ORA, including recruitment, talent management, compensation, employee relations, and performance management, among others. Amanda has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Emory College and an Associate of the Arts from Oxford College. She is a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources and a Certified Compensation Professional. Prior to her role in ORA, she worked in Human Resources for Emory's Advancement and Alumni Engagement division since 2005.
Adrena Hooks
Senior Human Resources Associate
Biography
Adrena is returning to Emory from Georgia State University. Prior to her time away, Adrena was a Human Resources Associate in the School of Nursing where she managed biweekly timekeeping, payroll, supported recruiting, FMLA and many other areas. She started her Human Resources career in Central HR Data Services where she quickly became a go-to resource for HR professionals across the university, leading training for processing I-9 and student hiring. Prior to Data Services, Adrena joined Emory in July 2015 as a Senior Financial Aid Assistant. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, is a SHRM Certified Professional, and is currently pursuing her MBA at Georgia State University.
George Holland, III
Business Operations Coordinator
Biography
George comes to ORA from the Emory Student Center where he served as the Operations Assistant, facilitating events and general operations of the building. George first came to Emory in 2021, as a COVID-19 Test Site Coordinator, assisting with multiple sites on campus.
Prior to his time at Emory, he worked as an Air Export Agent and Operations Coordinator – managing logistics and documentation for international shipments, in compliance with legal and dangerous goods regulations. George holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Arts from the University of South Carolina.
Josheena Ferrell
Human Resources Specialist
Biography
Josheena comes to Emory from Darlington School in Rome, Georgia where she was an Administrative Assistant in the Advanced Facilities department and worked to onboard and train new staff, manage leave tracking and many other duties as assigned. Prior to her time at Darlington, Sheena worked as a tag and title clerk for Floyd County Government. She is no stranger to Atlanta as she was the Operations Manager at Our House where she managed many functions including accounting, human resources, administrative and operations tasks. In her early career, she worked as a bank teller. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a minor in Human Resources from Shorter University.
Business, Finance and Administration
Yolanda Ferrell
Operations Specialist
Contact Information
Email: yolanda.ferrell@emory.edu
Phone:
Biography
Yolanda transitioned to the Business Operations Team at the beginning of September 2023, after a year and three months with our Human Resources Team. Prior to that, she came to ORA from Emory Oxford College, where she served as the COVID 19 Test Site Manager, responsible for the planning and execution of the site operations.
Yolanda also served as the supervisor of business operations at Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Hematology, Oncology and Infusion Center. Prior to Emory, Yolanda held numerous appointments in the healthcare arena, including Community Health, American Cancer Society, Wellstar Health Systems, Dekalb Medical Center and Children's Medical Center of Akron, Ohio.
Yolanda is a certified Phlebotomy Technician from the National Healthcareer Association.
Dana Simmons
Financial Analyst, Business and Finance
Contact Information
Email: dana.simmons@emory.edu
Phone: 404-712-7069
Biography
Dana Simmons is a Financial Analyst with Research Business Operations (RBO). In Dana's role she works with the Director of Business and Finance preparing monthly financial reports. In addition to preparing the monthly financial reports, she processes employee expense reports and invoices. Dana also acts as a back up to the Accountant.
E. Laree Andrews
Senior Administrative Assistant
Contact Information
Email: e.laree.andrews@emory.edu
Phone:
Biography
Laree is a Senior Administrative Assistant for Research Business Operations (RBO). She provides direct support to Tonya Jenkins, Associate Vice President of Research Administration Services (RAS), Todd Sherer, Associate Vice President of Research and Executive Director of Office of Technology Transfer, Holly Sommers Assistant Vice President of Research Administration, Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), Wil Brown, Director, Information Technology, Janette Hannam-Hayes, Director of Contracts, Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), and Teresa Sussman, Director of Grants, Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). Since starting with Emory in 1998, Laree has served in different capacities (Medical Secretary, Administrative & Personal Assistant, Fellowship Program and International J1/H-1B Scholar Coordinators) in her 20+ years at Emory, providing several levels of administrative support.
As a longstanding member of International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Organization and in 2010, she became a Graduate of Emory University's Administrative Professional Program (APP). With more than 34 years of administrative experience, she prides herself on being detailed-oriented, organized, and always seeking to deliver outstanding customer service to stakeholders.
Lyngail Cooper
Senior Administrative Assistant
Contact Information
Email: lyngail.cooper@emory.edu
Phone: 404-712-5915
Biography
Lyngail is a Senior Administrative Assistant for Research Business Operations (RBO). She provides support to Inger Garnett, Director of Strategic Operations, in the Office of Research Administration, Bill Lambert, Associate Vice President of Research Grants & Contracts, and Holly Sommers Assistant Vice President of Research Administration, Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) . Lyngail has extensive experience in Executive Administrative Assistant, Finance and Healthcare. In 2021, she was Awarded "The Admin Dragon Award", for Research Business Operations. Lyngail has a degree in Pre-Nursing and Psychology and studied Business and Healthcare Finance Management.
Maria Wackerly
Senior Administrative Assistant
Contact Information
Email: mwacker@emory.edu
Phone: 404-712-4591
Biography
Maria is a Senior Administrative Assistant for Research Business Operations (RBO). She provides support to Institutional Animal Care, Conflict of Interest, and Institutional Review Board. Prior to joining ORABO, Maria worked in the Office of International Students and Scholar Services (ISSS) for over 11 years. In 2012, she was awarded the Emory University Award of Distinction for her administrative expertise with ISSS. Prior to relocating to the United States, she worked for Jakarta International School in Jakarta, Indonesia, provided administrative support to the Director of Alumni Department.
Maria studied Business Administration at the Polytechnic University of Indonesia in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Shantel McMillan
Accountant, Business and Finance
Biography
Shantel McMillan is the Accountant for Research Business Operations (RBO), providing support in accounts payable, catering, purchasing, human resource and event planning. She has a background in hospitality, nonprofit and university settings. Shantel prides herself in being a motivated team member that exudes a positive attitude, demonstrates initiative, and flexibility to achieve maximum productivity.
Tundra Latrice Ivy
Project Coordinator, Administration
Contact Information
Email: tundra.ivy@emory.edu
Phone: 404-727-7854
Biography
Since January 2013, Tundra has worked in various capacities in Research Administration. Currently, she supervises the administrative team in Research Business Operations, is a Project Coordinator for Science Gallery Atlanta, and she provides administrative support to the Office of Clinical Research. With more than 20 years of administrative experience, she prides herself on being detailed-oriented, organized, and always seeking to deliver outstanding customer service.
Cost Studies
Maria Eloriaga
Assistant Director
Biography
Maria is the Assistant Director for Cost Studies, Research Business Operations (RBO). She is responsible for the Uniform Guidance audit report, effort reporting, risk assessments, subrecipient monitoring and certifications, submission of Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reports to the federal government, and other special projects. Maria has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. Paul College, Philippines.
Charet Wynn
Senior Costing Analyst-Controller
Biography
In preparations...
David Brown
Research Administration Specialist
Biography
David Brown is a Research Administration Specialist for the Office of Research Administration - Business Operations (ORA-BO). He assists the Office of Research Administration by processing, review, negotiation, and acceptance of sponsored project activities and ensures proper stewardship of awarded funds in compliance with sponsor, federal, state, and University regulations. He holds multiple SRA International certifications pertaining to research administration.
Research Data Analytics
Jennifer Gore
Assistant Director, Data Management/Integrity
Shirley Gaskin
Senior Data Analyst
Contact Information
Email: shirley.gaskin@emory.edu
Phone:
Biography
Shirley is the Senior Data Analyst within the Research Data Analytics team at Emory University. With over 30 years of information technology experience, including software development, systems analysis, relational database management (RDBMS), and reporting, she finds her niche in business intelligence and data visualization, where she currently supports the research enterprise.
Before coming to Emory in 2022, Shirley was a senior data analyst at Quality Care for Children, an Atlanta nonprofit agency for children and childcare advocacy. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration at Florida Atlantic University and is a Master of Public Administration (MPA), having concentrated her studies in government/nonprofit management at the Georgia State University –Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.
Truong Quyen
Data Analyst