Division of Research & Innovation
Contact Us
The team within the Division of Research & Innovation is here to support your work
and help you navigate the research and innovation landscape at the University of Memphis.
Whether you have a general question, need assistance connecting with the right office,
or are seeking guidance on research development, compliance, funding, or partnerships,
we’re ready to help.
You can reach us directly by emailing research@memphis.edu, or connect with members of our leadership and support teams listed below.
Division of Research and Innovation
Dr. Jasbir Dhaliwal
Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation
Executive Director, FedEx Institute of Technology
901.678.1618
jdhaliwl@memphis.edu
FedEx Institute of Technology
365 Fogelman Drive, Suite 303
Memphis, TN 38152
(o) 901.678.1596
fedex@memphis.edu
The FedEx Institute of Technology (FIT) is an advanced technology and research organization that serves as the front door
to the research infrastructure and innovation capabilities of the University of Memphis.
It functions as a catalyst for interdisciplinary research and innovation in emerging
technologies by supporting cross-campus research innovation clusters. The Institute
is also home to the University's intellectual property and patent repository, which
is the focal point of technology transfer and licensing operations. The Institute,
working with faculty researchers, enjoys a unique innovation partnership with FedEx,
which sponsors the Institute for advanced research purposes. The Institute is the central hub for efforts to maintain a cutting-edge innovative
environment in the Mid-South region and offers training and collaboration opportunities
in emerging technologies and related breakthrough concepts.
Mary Ann Dawson
Director, Operations & Technology Initiatives
901.678.1592
mdawson@memphis.edu
M. Jeff Brittain
Managing Director, Innovation & Workforce Development
901.678.1596
m.brittain@memphis.edu
Josh Cook
Manager, Innovation & Training
901.678.1041
joshua.cook@memphis.edu
Jordin Howell
Multimedia Designer, Social Media & Marketing
513.549.5129
jmhwell3@memphis.edu
Dr. Hai Trieu
Director, Intellectual Property
901.678.1712
hhtrieu@memphis.edu
Ido Sarig
Director, Technology Commercialization
901.678.1712
isarig@memphis.edu
Vickie Middleton
Business Officer I
901.678.3077
vlmddltn@memphis.edu
Research Development
Administration Building, Suite 315
3720 Alumni Avenue
Memphis, TN 38152
researchdev@memphis.edu
Research Development focuses on increasing institutional research competitiveness through targeted capacity
building, partnership and interdisciplinary team development, and proposal development
assistance activities. This team manages limited competition proposals, large-scale
or center proposals, and career development proposals.
Dr. Cody Behles
Executive Director, Research Development and Innovation
901.678.2648
cbehles@memphis.edu
Dr. Brian Evans
Assistant Director, Strategic Research Initiatives
901.678.4247
bevans8@memphis.edu
Dr. Nichole Saulsberry-Scarboro
Director, Innovative Nonprofit and Foundation Engaged Research
901.678.2785
tnslsbrr@memphis.edu
Dr. Adrienne Cooper
Director, Capacity Research Equity Opportunity Program
870.270.4076
tcoper13@memphis.edu
Pre-Award Services
Administration Building, Suite 315
3720 Alumni Avenue
Memphis, TN 38152
The Office of Pre-Award is a service office that reports to the Executive Vice President
for Research & Innovation. Pre-Awards serves faculty and staff, in every academic
discipline and research area, pursuing research or other sponsored projects funded
by federal, state, or private agencies and organizations. Personnel are committed
to furthering the University's vision as a great metropolitan research university
by assisting faculty in identifying funding opportunities, preparing grant proposals,
securing institutional approval for proposals, and submitting proposals for funding.
This office also manages several programs to ensure compliance with federal, state,
and institutional regulations.
Dr. Terrice Watson
Assistant Vice President, Research Admin Compliance (Pre/Post Award Services)
901.678.5133
twnfield@memphis.edu
Dr. Charles (CJ) Vires
Associate Director, Pre-Award Services
901.678.3507
chvnesjr@memphis.edu
Veronica Hart
Research Administrator, Pre-Award Services
901.678.4896
vhart1@memphis.edu
Felicia Harvell
Research Administrator, Pre-Award Services
901.678.3056
fharvell@memphis.edu
Jarvis Payne
Research Administrator, Pre-Award Services
901.678.8232
jpayne8@memphis.edu
Dr. Keith Sisson
Research Contracts Administrator, Pre-Award Services
901.678.2625
ksisson@memphis.edu
Alison Brown
Research Coordinator
901.678.3574
mbrown37@memphis.edu
Post-Award Services
Administration Building, Suite 265
3720 Alumni Avenue
Memphis, TN 38152
The Office of Post-Award Services focuses on the post-award life cycle of research
administration. The office aims to ensure fiscal and regulatory compliance in the
university’s post-award research administration processes and activities. Whatever
stage of the post-award life cycle award may be, Post-Award Services is here to assist
the university’s research community by reviewing and interpreting university, sponsor,
and federal level policies, procedures, and guidelines and the application to daily
activities of active, new, and continuing awards.
Linda Heide
Director, Post-Award Services
901.678.4769
lheide@memphis.edu
DeQuebanese Norton
Associate Director, Post-Award Services
901.678.3719
dgreen@memphis.edu
Natalie Butler
Research Accountant II
901.678.3822
ntdavis@memphis.edu
Brenda Chism
Research Accountant II
901.678.3825
brenda.chism@memphis.edu
Michelle Collins
Sr. Research Accountant
901.678.3818
mcllins3@memphis.edu
Barbara Dixon
Research Accountant II
901.678.4972
bdixon3@memphis.edu
Mattie Haynes
Research Support Analyst
901.678.1168
mrhaynes@memphis.edu
Arbra Jones
Research Accountant I
901.678.5071
ljones47@memphis.edu
Glinda King
Research Accountant II
901.678.3834
gfking1@memphis.edu
Monica Wilson
Research Accountant II
901.678.3265
mwlson11@memphis.edu
Research Compliance
Administration Building, Room 215
3720 Alumni Avenue
Memphis, TN 38152
(o) 901.678.2705
researchcompliance@memphis.edu
Research Compliance encompasses work with human subjects (IRB), animals (IACUC), financial conflict of
interest, export controls, research misconduct, and responsible conduct of research.
This team works with our faculty and student researchers to ensure compliance with
all applicable regulations, laws, and University policies.
Ricky L.A. Tan
Director, Research Compliance
901.678.4272
altan@memphis.edu
Kellie Watson
Manager, Research Compliance
901.678.6422
kwtson10@memphis.edu
Ellen Whelan
Administrator, Research Compliance
901.678.5985
evwhelan@memphis.edu
Phenecia Turner
Administrative Associate II, Research Compliance
901.678.2705
pturner2@memphis.edu
Animal Care
Animal Care and Use Program is responsible for the regulatory and veterinary oversight
of all research activities involving animals within the Institution.
Donny Ray
Director, Animal Care Facilities
901.678.4842
donnyray@memphis.edu
Tionna Carter
Animal Care Technician, Animal Care Facilities
901.678.4330
tdcrter1@memphis.edu
Shakir Crawford
Animal Care Technician, Animal Care Facilities
901.678.4330
scrwfr13@memphis.edu
Alicia Morquecho
Lead Animal Care Technician, Animal Care Facilities
901.678.4330
mrquecho@memphis.edu