The Office of Research Development is responsible for supporting Syracuse University’s proposal, research and faculty development efforts. This includes facilitating team-based collaboration around strategic funding opportunities, and managing the University’s internal funding competitions, including both seed grant programs and externally funded limited submissions.
Chetna Chianese, Senior Director of Research Development
As the Senior Director of Research Development, Chetna is responsible for supporting Syracuse University’s proposal, research, and faculty development efforts. Chetna works to facilitate team-based collaborations around strategic funding opportunities; develop institutional research infrastructure, including relevant staffing, training, and systems; and manages the University’s internal funding competitions.
Melissa Whipps, Director of Research Development
As the Director of Research Development, Melissa provides research development support to faculty and research staff across campus, with a focus on science and mathematics departments in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education. Melissa also facilities and conducts training sessions on preparing and writing grants for a variety of funders. Prior to her move into the Office of Research, Melissa worked in Research Development in the College of Arts and Sciences and previously in Corporate and Foundation Relations.
Elizabeth Lance, Director of Research Development for the Social Sciences
As the Director of Research Development for the Social Sciences, Liz provides research development support to faculty and staff colleagues in service to the University’s mission of producing high-quality, high-impact faculty scholarship. Liz works closely with the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs and supports Social Science research across the University. Liz has over a decade of experience in international higher education in the Middle East and South Asia. She established the Research Office at Northwestern University’s international campus in Qatar, where she supported both faculty and undergraduate students in securing extramural and intramural funding.
Sarah Workman, Associate Director for Research Development for the Humanities
As Associate Director for Research Development for the Humanities, Sarah supports faculty in efforts to raise their research achievement and recognition by identifying funding sources for their work, assisting with writing grants and proposals, and helping coordinate nominations for honorary awards. Positioned as part of both the Office of Research and the College of Arts & Sciences, Sarah’s role supports Humanities research across the University. You can find additional information about humanities research support here.
Christopher Barnes, Assistant Director of Research Development for STEM
As the Assistant Director of Research Development for STEM, Chris supports STEM faculty research efforts by identifying relevant funding opportunities, assisting in proposal development, and coordinating proposal submissions. Along with these activities, Chris helps design and deliver proposal development trainings for faculty research and staff and assists in the management of the Office of Research’s intramural grant programs.
Tessa Livingston, Research Development Specialist
As Research Development Specialist, Tessa supports the research mission of Syracuse University by assisting with faculty efforts in the development of new sponsored funding proposals, providing project management support for educational workshops and events, and facilitating collaboration between faculty and relevant institutional offices that support research development. Tessa assists in the development of external proposal applications, grant development training, and manages limited submission opportunities which require an internal competition and institutional peer review.
Cassandra Ellis, Operations Specialist, Research Development
As the Operations Specialist for Research Development, Cassandra supports University research initiatives through communications, event management, and overall operations for the Research Development team. She organizes and facilitates information and training series events for faculty and research staff, coordinates educational workshops, in-service trainings, and other research-related events in conjunction with the entire development team. Additionally, Cassandra maintains data systems and manages the periodic Office of Research Newsletter, highlighting research news happening in the University community.