Phase 3: Implementation phase consists of taking immediate action on key priorities, such as issuing a request for proposal (RFQ)to replace the current research administration system (eRA), optimizing the Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS), and streamlining contracting.

The governance structure provides a framework for our implementation phase and consists of an Executive Steering Committee, Working Groups, Dean’s Councils, and Project Support, as listed below.

List of Implementation Team Members Opens a PDF.

Executive Steering Committee (ESC)

The Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with Purpose Executive Steering Committee (ESC), under the leadership of the President, focuses on identified strategic research initiatives and their implementation and addresses opportunities and challenges that may arise during the implementation process. Below are the members of the ESC:

• Ray L. Watts, President (Chair)
• Chris Brown, Vice President for Research (Vice Chair)
• Anupam Agarwal, Senior Vice President and Dean of School of Medicine
• Jim Bakken, Chief Communication Officer
• Tom Brannan, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration
• Dawn Bulgarella, Chief Executive Officer of the UAB Health System
• Stephanie Mullins, Interim Vice President for Finance & VP of Strategic Initiatives
• R. Coleman Loper, Interim CEO & Chief Financial & Administrative Officer
• Curt Carver, Vice President and Chief Information Officer
• John Daniel, Deputy General Counsel & Chief University Counsel
• Janet Woodruff-Borden, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs

The ESC is supported by six Working Groups, Dean’s Councils, and the Project Director of Strategic Initiatives.

Working Groups

The ESC is supported by six Working Groups. Working Groups consist of stakeholders with a vested interest and expertise in each infrastructure opportunity area (also referred to as ‘Enablers’ in the final report). Each Working Group is led by Co-Chairs and includes members-at-large. In general, Working Groups serve in an advisory capacity to the ESC and help implement recommendations around infrastructure opportunities that are essential to support research growth.

Working Groups may create sub-groups as needed to ensure the effective implementation of recommendations within the opportunity areas that are larger in scope.

64 members of the University community are members of the working groups, of which over 50% have faculty appointments. All schools and colleges are represented in the working groups, as are different divisions and departments on campus, such as Financial Affairs, Facilities, HSIS, the Office of the Provost, Human Resources, Compliance, CCTS, and the Office of Research.

• WG1: Optimize Research Related Processes — Jason Nichols (Co-Chair), Victor Darley Usmar (Co-Chair), Tom Buford, Jennifer Croker, Jereme Logan, Robert Howard, Bernard Mays, Sylvie Mrug, Dana Rizk, Ellen Lavoie Smith, David Standaert, and Martin Young.
• WG 2: Research Technology — Michael Matthews (Co-Chair), Brian Rivers (Co-Chair), Jim Cimino, Chad Duke, Tina Ealy, Kamilah Frison, Geoffrey Gordon, Marguerite Ryan Irvin, Matthew Might, Blakely O’Connor, and Ashley Specht.
• WG 3: Enhance Research Data Management & Structure — Suzanne Judd (Co-Chair), Ralph Zottola (Co-Chair), Lisa Curtis, Marla Hertz, Emily Levitan, Nicole Riddle, Joshua Robinson, Scott Sorenson, and Matt Wyatt.
• WG 4: Employment Destination — Janet May (Co-Chair), Michelle Robinson (Co-Chair), Muna Anabtawi, Scott Ballinger, Edith Castleberry, Bertha Hidalgo, Frances Lund, Scott Snyder, Cathy Tarver, and Yuchen Wang.
• WG 5: Augment and Elevate the Research Administration Workforce — Gina Hedberg (Co-Chair), David Kimberlin (Co-Chair), Donna Burnett, Jeremy Day, Rachel Jones, Jonathan McGill, Linda Moneyham, George Munchus, Ryan Outman, Erik Roberson, and Monica Stinnett.
• WG 6: Optimize & Enhance Facilities — Greg Parsons (Co-Chair), David Schwebel (Co-Chair), Kevin Bell, Michael Bertram, Chris Boutwell, Emily Colpack, Kim Hazelwood, Rakesh Patel, Kristina Visscher, Patricia West, and Brad Yoder.

Dean’s Councils

The ESC is also supported by the Dean’s Councils, who will serve in an advisory capacity to the ESC and work on measurable action plans to accomplish identified goals and objectives relevant to their schools/college/units.

Project Support

The Project Director of Strategic Initiatives Chandni Khadka of the Office of the President:

• assists the Chair and Vice Chair of ESC to finalize the ESC meeting agendas, and records and distributes ESC meeting minutes;
• reviews, discusses, and communicates any necessary updates to projects and action plans submitted by the Working Groups and Dean’s Councils;
• attends Working Groups Chairs and Deans Council’s meetings as needed;
• track progress on key performance metrics and/or deliverables submitted by the Working Group Chairs and Deans/Research Associate Deans;
• collaborate with the Chief Communications Officer to ensure timely communication of the progress to campus stakeholders; and
• works with the Change Management team to provide resources on change management and facilitate appropriate trainings to the managers and leaders as needed.