Padilla joined UNT in 2002 and is a professor of biological sciences. She previously served as dean of the College of Science and associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Science. After serving one year as interim, she was permanently appointed UNT’s associate vice president for research and innovation in October 2019. In 2010, she earned the UNT Early Career Award for Research and Creativity, and she was a Faculty Leadership Fellow from 2015 to 2016.

Padilla’s research, which has been continually supported by either the National Institutes of Health or the National Science Foundation, focuses on how environmental and dietary stress affects living organisms at the cellular, genetic, and molecular levels as a means to model human health issues such as ischemia and diabetes. She has earned numerous fellowships and grants, including an NSF CAREER award.

Padilla is the current president and former treasurer and a member of the board of directors of SACNAS, the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, the largest STEM diversity organization in the country. She also was a Howard Hughes Medical Institute and SACNAS Advanced Leadership Institute Fellow in 2017, received a Science magazine Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction in 2012, and was a National Academy of Sciences Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow in 2008.

Padilla earned her Ph.D. in biology from the University of New Mexico, conducted her post-doctoral research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, and was a visiting scholar at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California.

Lisa Martin is a highly accomplished professional with extensive experience in administrative coordination and executive assistance. Her career at UNT (University of North Texas) began in 2005 when she joined the office of the registrar. Over the years, she transitioned to working in an academic department and subsequently at the college level, gaining valuable insights and expertise along the way.

Currently, Lisa serves as the Sr. Executive Assistant, providing dedicated support to the Vice President of Research and Innovation at UNT. In this crucial role, she effectively manages the vice president's calendar, coordinates appointments and meetings, and ensures seamless communication with internal and external stakeholders. Her impeccable organizational skills and attention to detail contribute to the smooth functioning of the office.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Lisa finds joy in family life, cherishing the time spent with loved ones. She has a passion for exploring different cuisines and enjoys the pleasures of food. Travel is another interest that allows her to broaden her horizons and experience diverse cultures.

With her wealth of experience, commitment to excellence, and appreciation for work-life balance, Lisa continues to make significant contributions in her role and finds fulfillment in both her professional and personal pursuits.

Dr. Aaron Roberts was appointed as associate vice president of Research and Innovation on July 1, 2021. Prior to his appointment, he was a professor of environmental toxicology in the College of Science (COS) and spent the last two years as the director of the Advanced Environmental Research Institute (AERI). He is considered an expert on the fate and effects of chemical contaminants in freshwater and marine ecosystems. His research group has been funded by federal and state agencies as well as the private sector. Most recently, he secured a $300,000 award from Texas General Land Office (GLO) for toxicological studies that will inform oil spill response in the state. 

As associate vice president, his portfolio will include overseeing the management of UNT’s shared instrumentation facilities across campus, working with advisory groups and directors of each facility, and assisting with the development, approval and implementation of partnership agreements with other universities, national labs and industry. Additionally, Roberts will be heavily involved in research development training and limited submissions, among other duties.

Ph.D. in zoology from Miami-Ohio University

M.S. in zoology from Miami-Ohio University

B.S in biology from the University of Missouri

Postdoctoral training in environmental toxicology from Clemson University

In response to the division’s goal of improving all internal and external research communications, event planning and project management, Lacy Fenn was hired as the assistant director for research communications and project management. As part of the Research Development team, she is responsible for the planning, development and implementation of event management, as well as marketing, design and communications for the division. Lacy also manages the Division's social media platforms, website, and serves as a liaison with University Brand Strategy and
Communication. 

Michael Rondelli joined the University of North Texas in December 2015 as the Associate Vice President of Innovation and Commercialization and has grown his role into the Associate Vice President of Research Commercial Agreements. In this role, he is responsible for managing the technology transfer function within UNT as well as other projects related to intellectual property negotiations, development of new research clusters, and developing entrepreneurial activities on campus.  Additionally, all research contracts are developed, negotiated and executed by his office. Prior to UNT, Michael was the Director of Licensing for the University of Southern California’s Stevens Center for Innovation where he was able to turn around the licensing function that was under-performing license goals for many years prior to his term. Prior to that, Michael built San Diego State University’s Technology Transfer Office into one of the most efficient university licensing operations. Prior to technology transfer, Michael worked in corporate finance and venture capital in New York City. He earned his BSBA with honors in Business from Washington University in St. Louis, his MBA in Finance from Texas Christian University and his JD from the University of San Diego School of Law.

Chuck Tarantino joined the University of North Texas in July 2018 as the Assistant Vice President of Grants and Contracts Administration. He is responsible for sponsored project administration at the university.  He provides leadership for the Pre Award, Post Award and The Research IT functions.  Prior to UNT, Chuck Tarantino was the Assistant Controller at Rice University where he was responsible for the Post Award function of the University.  He provided leadership and direction during a period of tremendous growth in research at that institution.  He has also held leadership roles at the University of Houston at Clear Lake and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.   He is a Certified Public Accountant who earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Christine Cail is Accounting Assistant

Office location: Hurley 160B

Christine Cail provides support for :

• Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
• Coronavirus Aid,Relief, and Economic Security Act

Brenda L. Barrio, an associate professor of special education in the College of Education, serves as an assistant vice president for research and innovation after spending a year as the faculty fellow for the Division of Research and Innovation. 

In this role, Dr. Barrio helps facilitate faculty and staff efforts with institutional-level grants that leverage UNT’s capacity as a Tier One Hispanic-Serving and Minority-Serving Institution to enhance the student and postdoctoral research opportunities for our UNT community. As a three-time UNT alum and first-generation graduate, Dr. Barrio understands firsthand the value of supportive mentors and opportunities to engage in student research.

Throughout her professional career, she has dedicated herself to serving students and her work was formally recognized last spring with the 'Fessor Graham Award, the university’s highest student-given honor for faculty.

Her research experience — rooted in exploring the disproportionality in special education and evidence-based teaching practices — unites expertise across disciplines and serves as a crucial voice for inclusivity in the broader campus community. She brings important insight with her background in the social sciences, which is crucial as we continue to grow as a Tier One institution.

Dr. Barrio also is the principal investigator and co-founder of UNT ELEVAR, one of a handful of programs nationwide that give young adults with intellectual disabilities the educational training to pursue a meaningful career and skills to lead an independent life. 

Dr. Aaron Roberts was appointed as associate vice president of Research and Innovation on July 1, 2021. Prior to his appointment, he was a professor of environmental toxicology in the College of Science (COS) and spent the last two years as the director of the Advanced Environmental Research Institute (AERI). He is considered an expert on the fate and effects of chemical contaminants in freshwater and marine ecosystems. His research group has been funded by federal and state agencies as well as the private sector. Most recently, he secured a $300,000 award from Texas General Land Office (GLO) for toxicological studies that will inform oil spill response in the state. 

As associate vice president, his portfolio will include overseeing the management of UNT’s shared instrumentation facilities across campus, working with advisory groups and directors of each facility, and assisting with the development, approval and implementation of partnership agreements with other universities, national labs and industry. Additionally, Roberts will be heavily involved in research development training and limited submissions, among other duties.

Ph.D. in zoology from Miami-Ohio University

M.S. in zoology from Miami-Ohio University

B.S in biology from the University of Missouri

Postdoctoral training in environmental toxicology from Clemson University

Katie Herring joined the University of North Texas in 2016 and has been a part of the Division of Research and Innovation for her entire tenure. She currently is the Associate Director of Research Development and oversees the advancement of research by leading and implementing relevant programs, workshops, and training for the UNT research community. In 2012, Katie received her B.B.A. in Marketing from Texas A&M University with certificates in retailing and international business, and in 2020 she received her M.S. in Advanced Data Analytics with a concentration in Management from the University of North Texas.

Michael Rondelli joined the University of North Texas in December 2015 as the Associate Vice President of Innovation and Commercialization and has grown his role into the Associate Vice President of Research Commercial Agreements. In this role, he is responsible for managing the technology transfer function within UNT as well as other projects related to intellectual property negotiations, development of new research clusters, and developing entrepreneurial activities on campus.  Additionally, all research contracts are developed, negotiated and executed by his office. Prior to UNT, Michael was the Director of Licensing for the University of Southern California’s Stevens Center for Innovation where he was able to turn around the licensing function that was under-performing license goals for many years prior to his term. Prior to that, Michael built San Diego State University’s Technology Transfer Office into one of the most efficient university licensing operations. Prior to technology transfer, Michael worked in corporate finance and venture capital in New York City. He earned his BSBA with honors in Business from Washington University in St. Louis, his MBA in Finance from Texas Christian University and his JD from the University of San Diego School of Law.

Steven Tudor serves as the Executive Director of Technology Transfer and Contracting in the Research Commercial Agreements (RCA) department at The University of North Texas. In this role, he oversees the technology transfer function and aspects of research contracts, which includes reviewing and executing research contracts. This position collaborates with RCA team members ensuring they have the data and tools needed to efficiently process research contracts, engages with faculty interested in research commercialization, and manages data reporting for RCA operations. He also helps faculty and students understand the nuances of intellectual property and academic research.

Steven joined RCA in May 2017 after spending three years working in UT Southwestern’s Office of Technology Development. Prior to that, Steven spent eight years working at the Noble Research Institute in the genetic transformation lab. Steven holds a B.S. in Biomedical Science from the University of Oklahoma and a J.D. from the Texas A&M University School of Law.

Janis has been working at UNT since November 2018, and moved under Research Commercial Agreements when the department was created in November 2019. Janis manages the contracting function, which includes drafting and negotiating agreements.

Janis has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Old Dominion University and is a Certified Paralegal. Prior to joining UNT, Janis managed complex litigation cases at several large law firms across the country.

Marlena Maniecka is a Senior Contracts Analyst. 

She is responsible for:

• Drafting and reviewing research contracts.
• Managing contracts database.

Amanda Anaya – Senior Admin. Coordinator: Triage and maintenance of the Research Contracts Inbox and makes sure all incoming communication goes to the correct Contract Analyst. Responsible for calendar maintenance for RCA. Assisting with updating the Inteum Database when needed and compiling reports. Coordinates activities and acts as a liaison for the office. Responsible for oversight of budget, purchasing, travel, human resources, and property control functions.

Chuck Tarantino joined the University of North Texas in July 2018 as the Assistant Vice President of Grants and Contracts Administration. He is responsible for sponsored project administration at the university.  He provides leadership for the Pre Award, Post Award and The Research IT functions.  Prior to UNT, Chuck Tarantino was the Assistant Controller at Rice University where he was responsible for the Post Award function of the University.  He provided leadership and direction during a period of tremendous growth in research at that institution.  He has also held leadership roles at the University of Houston at Clear Lake and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.   He is a Certified Public Accountant who earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Emiley has been working in research administration since November 2014 and had always loved the role of Pre-Award. She enjoys working hand-in-hand with the faculty here at UNT to submit successful proposals and support the growth of research at our university. Emiley graduated cum laude from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship. She lives in Denton with her husband and two beautiful children.

Amanda has been working in the Research Administration field at UNT since 2013. She originally started as a department Grant Coordinator and now assists faculty as part of the GCA Pre-Award team. Prior to UNT she was with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, focusing on commercial wildlife permits/licenses.

Ami Schackel is Senior Grants& Contracts Analyst. and her Office location: Virtual Office

Ami Schackel provides pre-award support to :

• Biomedical Engineering-CENG and Electrical Engineering-CENG
• College of Merchandising, Hospitality & Tourism – CMHT

Sally Pettyjohn is Senior Administrative Coordinator and her Office location: Hurley 160

Sally Pettyjohn provides administrative support for:

• office of grants and contracts administration

Holly Wang is Senior Grants and Contracts Accounting Analyst and her Office location: Hurley 160Y

Holly Wang provides support for:

• Prime Federal Awards(to include NSF and NIH until vacancy filled)
• Approvals
• (GF1xxxx;GF2xxxx;GF7xxxx)

Michelle Hildebrand is Grants and Contracts Analyst and her Office location: Virtual Office

Michelle Hildebrand provides support for:

• Post-Award Non Financial
• No cost Extensions
• Programmatic Reports
• Public access to Data

“Nermin Zakhary joined the University of North Texas and has been working in the Grants and Contracts Post Award field since August 2021. Prior to UNT, she was with Tarrant County College, working at Real Estate and Facilities and focusing on projects and contracts accounting services.”

Isaac Collins serves as the Cost Accountant/Financial Analyst for the Division of Research and Innovation. In this role, he is responsible for the University’s Facility & Administrative (F&A) proposals, along with Cost-Sharing tracking and Effort Reporting. Prior to coming to UNT, Isaac spent five years as a Revenue Tax Auditor for the State of Indiana. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and a Master of Business Administration with a focus of Forensic Accounting from Purdue University. Isaac married the woman of his dreams in 2020 and is a proud first-time dog parent.

Mickey Herrera is Accounting Assistant

Provides Support for:

• Internal Invoicing
• Check Deposit

Janet Thompson is Grants and Contracts Analyst Office location: Virtual Office

Janet Thompson provides pre-award support to :

• Chemistry - College of Science (COS)
• Math - College of Science (COS)
• College of Visual Arts and Design – CVAD
• College of Music,Business Units (i.e. International Affairs, Libraries, VP Offices, Student Affairs, Student Success, etc.)
• Ryan College of Business -RCoB

Gretchen Ward is Grants and Contracts Analyst Office location: Virtual Office

Gretchen is a Grants and Contracts Analyst for the Preaward department. She has worked in grants and contracts administration in a university setting since 2018 and at the University of North Texas since 2022. She has a background in grant writing for the non-profit field prior to moving into a higher education setting. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she teaches classes adjunct in grant writing, accounting, and non-profit management. She is also a licensed social worker and volunteers for professional organizations and non-profits.

Gretchen Ward provides pre-award support to :

• College of Information – COI
• College of Liberal Arts and Social Science – CLASS

Gleb Filatov is Grants & Contracts Accounting Analyst

Provides Support for:

• Private Awards (GPxxxx)

Research Compliance Director

Autumn Pinckard is responsible for following duties:-

• Responsible for administrative oversight of research compliance staff within the Research Integrity & Compliance unit.
• Directs the strategic and operational activities of UNT’s research compliance committees to ensure that federal, state, and university regulations are followed.
• Provides guidance to UNT researchers and academic departments about compliance with federal export controls regulations.
• Coordinates continuing education and training programs to campus researchers to ensure research compliance protocols are met.
• Provides administrative support for the UNT Institutional Review Board’s review of proposed human subjects research projects.
• Provides administrative support for the UNT Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee’s review of proposed research with live vertebrates.
• Provides administrative support for the UNT Institutional Biosafety Committee’s review of proposed research projects.
• Provides support to Assistant Vice President for Research Integrity and Compliance with research misconduct proceedings.
• Manages research compliance staff, including Research Compliance Manager, Research Compliance Analysts, and Biosafety Officer.
• Coordinates with Assistant VP for Research Integrity & Compliance to develop new or revised research compliance procedures and policies to maintain compliance with emerging federal, state, and university research compliance issues and trends.

Chris McMullen is a UNT alum who joined the Research Integrity and Compliance office in August 2023. Prior to that, he spent 22 years at Denton County MHMR Center. He’s excited about being back at his alma mater in a professional role.

Chris’ duties include:

• Providing Administrative Support for the Assistant Vice President, Research Integrity and Compliance
• Organizing day to day function of office, scheduling appointments, and coordinating committee meetings
• Triaging research integrity and compliance departmental/unit email inbox
• Processing departmental financial transactions

When Chris isn’t at work, he enjoys attending UNT sporting events, listening to music, and spending time at Free Play.

Imelda Norton is responsible for following duties:

• Performs research animal husbandry on daily basis
• Assists researchers in their study with the utmost quality care.
• Maintains animal care record and animal room information and communicates laboratory conditions to appropriate staff.
• Assists and performs veterinary procedures directed by attending veterinarian.
• Provides basic training to all personnel working with laboratory animals.
• Review all live-vertebrae animals purchase at University of North Texas
• Maintaining the vivarium up to the required standard and inspections.
• Serves as a voting member in the UNT IACUC

SARAH ROMACK is Senior Research Compliance Analyst.She has following responsibilities

• Oversaw Conflict of Interest program by reviewing disclosures and conducting follow-up
• Facilitated COI Committee meeting in December 2021
• Participated in the Huron COI Onboarding process for UNT System
• Completed CITI Training in Conflict of Interest and Responsible Conduct of Research

She previous worked as Senior Academic Counselor,Academic Counselor and Academic Advisor II.She familiarized prospective & current students with academic requirements for Math & Science majors and also supervised team of three full-time advisors.

Joan Powers, who was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati with a double emphasis in marketing and management. She spent over 10 years working in human resources management at MBNA Bank.After taking a vacation, she returned to the job six years ago, and at the University of North Texas, she started her career in higher education. She held administrative positions at UNT in a number of divisions, including Counseling and Testing Services, the College of Science, and currently Research, Integrity and Compliance. She adores her job in higher education and is passionate about supporting students as they pursue their objectives. She likes to cook, read mysteries novels, and take long walks while binge-listening to podcasts in her free time.

Dan began working at UNT in 2019 for University Advancement, writing gift agreements for major gifts. In 2021, he moved under Research Integrity and Compliance and began to learn more about Human Subjects Research Protections. Prior to UNT, Dan coached collegiate soccer, with Stephen F Austin State and the University of Nebraska Lincoln, where close familiarity with NCAA rules and regulations allowed for a smoother transition into the world of both gift agreements and now research compliance. When Dan isn’t at work, he enjoys coaching soccer.