Research Strategy and Development
Key Areas of Expertise
Brown faculty, staff and student researchers considering a new research idea or funding opportunity are encouraged to reach out to RSD early for support across numerous areas.
RSD staff can help you:
- Identify a match between research interests and funding opportunities
- Strategically align research goals with a funding agency’s mission
- Develop nontechnical proposal components, such as broader narratives, graphics and visuals, and assist with soliciting institutional support letters
- Enhance your grant writing and proposal narrative
- Identify and pursue prestigious nominations and honorifics
- Navigate the limited submission process at Brown and apply for relevant funding
Contact RSD
For general inquiries, Brown researchers can contact RSD at orsd@brown.edu. For specific needs, consult the listing of RSD team members and their designated areas of support.
Meet the RSD Team
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Edel Minogue, Ph.D.
Areas of Expertise Major initiatives, research strategy and teamsEdel is a chemist who provides solutions. An experienced researcher, team leader, strategist and innovator, Edel encourages faculty and senior leaders to think strategically about funding priorities to elevate their research profile as well as Brown’s. She has more than 15 years of entrepreneurial experience, including as the CEO of a local startup and working with patents, licensing and fundraising.
Edel is a former staff scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. She has 10 years of research experience in chemical sensors and detection and decontamination technologies for Homeland Security, with environmental and biomedical applications.
Edel co-chaired the Engaged Scholarship and Broader Impacts Working Group at Brown and was the 2022-23 chair of the Northeast Regional Committee of the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP). She also serves as the NORDP liaison to the European Commission.
Edel holds both a Ph.D. and a B.Sc. in chemistry from Dublin City University, Ireland.
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Betsy Stubblefield Loucks '99, Sc.M., MBA
Areas of Expertise Public Heath; IBES; DEEPSBetsy has served for 20 years as a leader, strategist and facilitator for nonprofits, small businesses, social ventures, academia and government agencies. At Brown, she helps to develop organization-wide strategies and coaches executive-level staff and boards.
Betsy also has 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and public policy, addressing energy, sustainability, public health and community development. She has developed strategies for Brown offices including Global Brown, Government and Community Relations, the Office for International Programs, the Division of Research, Research Strategy and Development and the Center for Digital Health.
Betsy holds a Sc.M. from Harvard School of Public Health, with a focus on the public health and human rights impacts of climate change; an MBA from Concordia University, Montreal, with a focus on environmental sustainability and small business; and a B.A. from Brown University.
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Frances Terry, MPH
Assistant Director, Research DevelopmentAreas of Expertise BioMed Departments; Centers and Institutes; CLPSAn analytical leader with experience directing collaborative commercial and research teams, Frances supports Brown biomedical and life science faculty in strategic planning and execution for funding proposals. She tells stories with data, translates across disciplines for shared learning and supports the development of innovative new strategies.
Frances has 15 years of experience in bioinformatics, immunology, data analysis and reporting and 10 years of research experience in chemical sensors and detection and decontamination technologies for Homeland Security, with environmental and biomedical applications. She has trained researchers at top pharmaceutical and biotech companies in the use of state-of-the-art immunoinformatics software.
Frances holds an MPH from Brown University School of Public Health, with a focus on biostatistics, and an A.B. from Smith College, with a focus on evolutionary biology.
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Vanessa Lazar
Assistant Director, Research DevelopmentAreas of Expertise Major federal awards in support of University strategic research priorities -
Margaret Manning
Assistant Director, Limited Submissions and Internal FundingAreas of Expertise Internal Funds and Limited SubmissionsMargaret is responsible for managing the Division of Research’s internal funding programs that support faculty research, research infrastructure and scholarship, and help position faculty to compete more successfully for external awards. She also manages the institutional selection process for external awards that limit the number of submissions from Brown University.
Margaret has served 15 years in higher education at Brown, including in the Office of the President’, Public Affairs and University Relations, and has more than a decade of experience helping to advance research opportunities at the University.
She holds an A.B. in history and religious studies from Brown University and is an M.Sc. candidate at University of Edinburgh.
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Susan Weiner, Ph.D.
Areas of Expertise Prestigious NominationsSusan is responsible for managing the process to increase nominations of Brown faculty for prestigious research awards, recognitions and honors. She develops discipline-specific processes and support tools; coordinates and supports institution-wide nominations for highly prestigious national and international awards and honors; and works to highlight award winners.
Before joining the Division in June 2022, Susan worked with faculty at the University of California, Davis, Yale University and the University of Toledo. She has more than 15 years of experience in fellowship and prestigious award management and is a professional editor and college advising consultant.
Susan holds a Ph.D. in Romance studies from Duke University and a B.A. in comparative literature from Dartmouth.
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Neil Calabro, J.D.
Research Strategy and Development Project ManagerAreas of Expertise Project management for federal proposals of all sizes, research intelligence, data management
Additional Proposal Support
For assistance in the areas of social sciences, humanities, physical sciences and University administrative units such as the Library, Graduate School and Provost’s Office, contact Research Management Support at grants@brown.edu.