2009 Recipient - Theresa Russelo
Research Development & Services
Video of presentation of The Western Award of Excellence to Theresa Russelo
As faculty and staff involved in the research enterprise know well, the first point of contact for grant applications is key in ensuring a successful outcome.
And that means Theresa Russelo. As the Pre-Award Grants Facilitator, Russelo is responsible for assisting faculty in ensuring grant applications comply with regulations set by funding agencies. It is this funding help – the bulk of which is used to support student participation and training in research – where Russelo makes a significant contribution to Western.
“Theresa is a pleasure to work with. She is courteous on the phone and in person, and is always willing to answer questions and share her expertise with faculty and staff,” says Faculty of Education staff member Karen Kueneman. “She is adept at communicating to researchers the complex rules and regulations associated with the various finding agencies and works hard to assist faculty members in navigating around potential roadblocks.”
Each fall, Research Development and Services processes approximately 500-600 grant applications and Russelo has consistently demonstrated her commitment during this period, working long days and weekends when necessary. In addition, she has volunteered personal time to assist the major granting agencies in developing more effective application submission systems.
Last year Russelo spearheaded a pilot project that used Western as a test institution for ResearchNet, a new on-line application submission system of the Canadian Institutes of Health.
“Theresa is always professional and friendly,” says FIMS Dean Tom Carmichael. “She has been known to drop everything and give her undivided attention when someone walks through her door, even amidst piles of outgoing grant applications sitting on her desk.”
Along with helping so many others, Russelo is also committed to her own personal development and growth. In addition to juggling career and family commitments, she is currently enrolled in the Canadian Institute of Management (CIM) program and is expected to complete it this year.
by Paul Mayne
Western News
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Contact Information
.: Scott May
Campus Communications Consultant
(519) 661-2111 x85466 or smay5@uwo.ca
