Division of Research and Economic Development
Staff Functions and Responsibilities

Daniel Scholl - Vice President for Research and Economic Development

  • Research Leadership: Provides and enables research, scholarly and creative activitiy to expand institutional impact.
  • Approval and Oversight: Holds signature and approval authority for:
    • Research contracts and agreements.
    • UAS (drones) operations and compliance.
    • External employment.
    • Faculty incentive plans.

Dianne Nagy - Assistant Vice President for Research Development and Administration

  • Contract and Grant Administration: Holds signature authority for contracts, agreements, amendments and supporting grant documents.
  • Proposal Submission Oversight: Manages and submits grant proposals for NASA NSPIRES, SDBOR and other funding organizations.

Jen Kuck - Assistant to the Vice President

  • Project Management and Coordination:
    • Leads research for documentation, and materials preparation for projects, events and meetings.
    • lead research for documentation and materials
    • Coordinates and manages events and meetings
    • Preparation for projects
  • Communication and Branding: Facilitates strategic communication efforts and ensures branding consistency.
  • Executive Support: Manages the Vice President鈥檚 schedule and time allocation to optimize efficiency.

Carson Sehr - Grant Development Specialist

  • Provides pre-award proposal development and support.
  • Conducts research development training.
  • Manages InfoReady administration, including limited submissions and internal competitions.
  • Holds AOR submission authority for NSF, NIH, , USDA and others as needed.
  • Oversees routing approval for grant applications.

Kaitlyn (Katie) Bratberg - Program Assistant

  • Provides administrative support for the Division of Research and Economic Development.
  • Assists with research integrity and compliance, including IACUC administrative support.

Melody Hall - Program Assistant II

  • Provides Administrative support for technology transfer, including invention disclosures, INTEUM and inquiries.
  • Provides administrative support for contract and agreement routing.
  • Assists with routing forms, technical support and related inquiries.

Keiji Horikoshi - Program Director of Research Integrity and Compliance

  • Manages allegations of research misconduct.
  • Oversees responsible conduct of research (RCR) training.
  • Reviews export controls and technology control plans.
  • Administers IRB processes and addresses related inquiries.
  • Assists CITI users and provides training on human subjects research.

Dr. Michele Mucciante - University Veterinarian

  • Oversees animal welfare policies and procedures.
  • Manages vivarium operations.
  • Develops policies and procedures for all aspects of veterinary care.
  • Addresses IACUC technical questions.

Stephen Gent - Director of the Sun Grant Program

  • Directs the Sun Grant Program, a national collaboration of land-grant universities dedicated to advancing the rural biobased economy.
  • Facilitates regional research, development and commercialization of biomass-to-bioproducts initiatives.

Jose Gonzelez - Director of Research Core Facilities

  • Leads the development and implementation of a strategic plan for research core facilities.
  • Coordinates management of existing research core facilities.
  • Supports planning and development of new research core facilities.

Esther Gathungu - Graduate Administrative Assistant (USDA): 

  • Collaborate with researchers and faculty to develop and write compelling grant proposals for USDA funding opportunities.
  • Coordinate the development of supplementary documents for USDA related applications
  • Originate and complete grant budgets
  • Facilite the pre-award internal administrative processes.
  • Offer support for preparation of grant application packages
  • Seek USDA funding opportunities on behalf of colleges, researchers and faculty
  • Offer training opportunities within different USDA agencies that align with research priorities.

Tersoo Hulugh - Graduate Administrative Assistant

  • Supports faculty, staff, and researchers in securing NSF grants.
  • Coordinates proposal development and funding opportunity searches.
  • Prepares documentation and ensures compliance with agency requirements.
  • Facilitates communication among stakeholders and tracks proposal progress.
  • Provides critical resources to strengthen university research initiatives.

Mercy Odunga - Graduate Administrative Assistant

  • Assists faculty and researchers in developing and drafting USDA grant proposals.
  • Completes grant budgets and facilitates internal administrative processes.
  • Coordinates supplementary document development for USDA applications.
  • Supports the preparation of grant application packages.
  • Helps faculty and researchers seek funding and training opportunities within USDA agencies.
Research Integrity and Compliance
Vivarium and University Veterinarian
Graduate Assistants
College Grant Specialists and Coordinators
College Associate Deans for Research
Office of Grants and Contracts Administration
Staff Functions and Responsibilities

For new awards and amendments to existing awards - SDSU.grantsandcontractadmin@sdstate.edu

For subawards where SDSU is the Prime Entity - SDSU.GCA.subawards@sdstate.edu

  • Jill O'Neil - Director: Administration, Collections, Effort Reporting.
  • Eric Kinslow - Assistant Director: Administration, NRCS, various State Agencies, and Grants Management Training.
  • Bobby Markham - Grant Accounting Analyst: Reviews/Approves Proposal Budgets, Service Center rate development, Cost Accountant, Monitors federal contracts, Department of Education, National Buffalo Foundation and private funds.
  • Courtney Jones - Grant Accounting Analyst: Single Audit Compliance, Monitors DHHS, SD GOED and USDA Sun Grant funds.
  • Dipali Salunke - Accounting Analyst: Monitors USDA ARS, ERS funds and Effort Reporting.
  • Cindy Steen - Grant Specialist: Monitors NSF direct and pass through, BOR EPSCoR and NASA funds.
  • Jordy Stulken - Grant Specialist: Monitors USDA NIFA, APHIS, FAS and DOT funds.
  • Terese Van Ravenswaay - Grant Specialist: Monitors USDA pass through, NREC, Commodity groups, and various ag related funds.
  • Kim Steineke - Grant Specialist: Monitors DOI pass through, NASA pass through, SDSU Foundation, DOT, OSHA, NEA, NEH and other Non-Profit funds.
  • Amanda Zubke - Grant Specialist: Monitors NASA pass through, IBIC, SDBIC, USB, NEA, NEH pass through, DOT, Public Safety, various DHHS pass through and various state agencies.