Research Administration Advisory Board (RAAB) 

The Research Administration Advisory Board (RAAB) was developed in 2022 to provide feedback, insight and advice on a variety of initiatives, ideas and action plans proposed by VCU research leadership. As VCU’s research enterprise grows and cross-disciplinary research becomes more prevalent across the university, adaptation is necessary to provide an infrastructure capable of supporting the changing environment. The RAAB’s unique contribution to the VCU research enterprise is its ability to deliver in depth analyses of urgent issues through the lens of those carrying out the day to day operations of research at VCU.

The RAAB reports to the Associate Vice President of Research Administration (OVPRI), the Senior Associate Vice President of Finance and Operations (OVPRI), and the Director of Grants and Contracts Accounting (Controller’s Office). Members are selected to represent a diversity of experience, perspective and background, while also reflecting the different roles in the research administration community.

Members

Ezrah Medina, CRA, co-chair
Assistant director, Grants and Contracts Accounting
Email: medinacn@vcu.edu 

Lydia E. Klinger, CRA, co-chair
Project manager, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation
Email: leklinger@vcu.edu  

Lisa Gagliano
Grants administrator, Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Sciences
Email: lgagliano@vcu.edu

Felicia Harris, MBA, CRA
Director of sponsored programs, College of Humanities and Sciences
Email: s2fmharr@vcu.edu

Madrenna Horn
Senior accountant, Grants and Contracts Accounting
Email: machorn@vcu.edu 

Sabrina Lumpkin, MSG, CRA
Associate director, Division of Sponsored Programs
Email: hises@vcu.edu

Nancy Nicholson, MS
Accounting team manager, Grants and Contracts Accounting
Email: nmnicholson@vcu.edu  

Danielle Quereshi
Fiscal administrator, Ryan White Program
School of Medicine
Email: danielle.qureshi@vcuhealth.org

Juellisa Secosky, MSHA, CRA, CCRC
Assistant director, clinical research finance administration, Massey Cancer Center
Email: jasecosky@vcu.edu 

Ashley Tankesley
Director of sponsored programs, College of Engineering
Email: actankesley@vcu.edu

Candice Weber
Associate director for research administration and training
School of Medicine Central
Email: candice.weber@vcuhealth.org

Melissa Yopp, MSHA
Assistant director for research administration, Department of Internal Medicine
School of Medicine
Email: mayopp@vcu.edu 

RAAB project summaries

Fall 2022 project summary

F and A cost recovery sharing feedback from the research administrator focus group (Oct. 2022)

RAAB in the news

Fostering Collaboration Between Research Administrators and Senior Leadership: A Model for Success (by Ezrah Medina, NCURA Magazine Jan/Feb 2023)