Departmental vs Central Research Administration: Clinical, Bench and Beyond

NCURA Region V is pleased to announce the upcoming Region V Roundup topic: Departmental vs Central Research Administration: Clinical, Bench and Beyond. The virtual session will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm, Central Time. Providing the presentation are Katy Gathron, MS, MPH, CRA – Senior Grants and Contracts Officer, The Lundquist Institute, and Dawn Underwood, PhD, MBA – Vice President for Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.

Please complete and submit the registration form by Monday, May 4th, 2026. A confirmation email will be sent with the Zoom link by Tuesday, May 5th. Please note: the registrant’s first and last name must match the Zoom profile first and last name, which will allow admittance to NCURA Region V’s Roundup session.

Description: 

Designed for professionals with a solid foundation in research administration, this session dives into the nuanced relationship between departmental and central offices. We’ll explore how institutional structure, leadership style, and communication culture shape collaboration ranging from embedded partnerships to siloed operations.

Participants will analyze real-world scenarios where relationship dynamics either enhanced or hindered research support, and discuss strategies for navigating complex organizational landscapes. Emphasis will be placed on identifying training gaps, avoiding common missteps, and fostering trust across units to drive shared success.