Director of Research and Sponsored Programs, Research and Sponsored Programs
- Phone
- 973-655-3219
- russot@montclair.edu
- Location
- The School of Nursing and The Graduate School, 415
Ted directs the University’s program of grants and sponsored research and manages the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). He develops policies and procedures to ensure the University is in compliance with federal and state regulations. He represents the university in liaison with external funding agencies, and negotiates sponsored grant and contract agreements with federal and non-federal sponsors. He develops strategic plans, and implements programs to promote the continued growth of research and sponsored programs activities at Montclair. Prior to joining Montclair in February 2012, Ted was the Associate Director of Pre-Award Services at Worcester Polytechnic Institute for seven years. Ted also held administrative positions at Clark University and Harvard University Medical School. Ted earned a bachelor’s in Liberal Arts from Harvard University Extension School in 1993, and received a master’s in Public Administration from Suffolk University in 1998. He received a graduate certificate in Higher Education Leadership & Administration from the University of Massachusetts in 2023. Ted holds an active “Certified Research Administrator” (CRA) designation from RACC and certificates from the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) in Research Leadership, and Research Law. He is an active member of the and SRAI and the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) and has presented on various topics related to research administration regionally and nationally.
Catherine Bruno
Senior Post-Award Officer, Office of Sponsored Programs
Phone: 973-655-6923
Email: brunoc@montclair.edu
Office: The School of Nursing and The Graduate School, 423
Catherine Bruno is the Senior Post-Award Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs at Montclair State University. In her role, Catherine assists faculty in managing their grants by providing guidance in all aspects of their award from reviewing award and contract agreements to coordinating final report submissions. She serves as the liaison to funding agencies on issues such as no-cost extensions and issues that require prior approval. She is responsible for the subaward process including drafting of subaward agreements to other institutions, review and negotiating of agreements from other institutions, and monitoring of subaward deadlines. Catherine also serves as the Office’s Budget Manager and is responsible for the fiscal administration of the Office’s various operating budgets. Prior to joining the University in August 2008, she was the Manager of Grants and Services to Cultural Organizations at the Westchester Arts Council in White Plains, NY. There she managed eight grant programs that awarded over $2 million in grants annually and served as the liaison to cultural organizations providing technical and capacity-building assistance. During her career, she was also a Grant Assistant for the New Jersey Historical Commission, an agency in the New Jersey Department of State, assisting in the administration of more than $6 million in grants to historical organizations throughout New Jersey. Catherine earned an MBA from Monmouth University in 2004 and received a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Administration from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in 1998.
Senior Post Award Officer & Research Systems Manager, Research and Sponsored Programs
- Phone
- 973-655-6927
- dorsettk@montclair.edu
- Location
- The School of Nursing and The Graduate School, 427
Kate Dorsett has been a member of the OSP team since February 2018. In her role as Senior Post Award Officer & Research Systems Manager, she assists with various aspects of reporting and post-award administration. In addition, Kate coordinates Montclair’s Internal Awards program by preparing and distributing the guidelines and applications, providing support to the University Research Committee, and managing and monitoring the internal awards budgets. Kate previously served as a Grants Specialist with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in Washington, D.C., where she managed a $2 million annual grant portfolio. Kate has a BA in Mathematics and Secondary Education and an MA in Higher Education Administration from Boston College.
Pre-Award Specialist, Research and Sponsored Programs
- Phone
- 973-655-5367
- lopezam@montclair.edu
- Location
- The School of Nursing and The Graduate School, 419
Amanda Lopez has been a member of the Office of Sponsored Programs since July 2020. As the Pre-Award Specialist, she assists with proposal preparation, development and submission of grant proposals to external sponsors, including the preliminary review of sponsor requirements, and preparation of budgets and forms according to the guidelines established by Montclair State University, federal uniform guidance, and sponsors. Prior to joining OSP, Amanda received her BA in Psychology from Felician University and received her MA in Counseling from Montclair where she also worked as a graduate assistant.
Jonathan Parker
Proposal Development Manager-Major Projects, Office of Sponsored Programs
Phone: 973-655-3221
Email: parkerjo@montclair.edu
Office: The School of Nursing and The Graduate School, 425
As a key member of OSP’s pre-award team, Jonathan works closely with faculty, staff, and administrators on developing and submitting proposals for external funding. He serves as a point person for coordinating the submission process of complex major institutional proposals. Jonathan joined Montclair from Rutgers University, where he worked in the central Office for Research in pre-award and research development roles. Prior to Rutgers, he served as Assistant Director of Research Development at Kean University. Jonathan is a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) and holds a doctorate in philosophy. Prior to pivoting into research administration, he was a faculty member in philosophy.
Samantha Tassillo
Sponsored Programs Administrator, Office of Sponsored Programs
Phone: 973-655-3889
Email: tassillos@montclair.edu
Office: The School of Nursing and The Graduate School, 413
Samantha joined the Office of Sponsored Programs team in June 2024 as Sponsored Programs Administrator. As faculty, staff, and students receive externally sponsored awards and contracts, she serves as a point of contact for guidance and administrative support throughout the project period. She coordinates various post-award functions, including grant award set-up, compliance reviews, prior approval requests, no-cost extensions, and changes in key personnel. Samantha also assists in maintaining updated and accurate data in all electronic research systems, as well as issuing proposal and award reports regularly. Samantha graduated from Hamilton College with a BA in Literature and a minor in Psychology. Prior to taking on this role in the OSP, Samantha worked in institutional marketing as a Proposal Specialist at Barnes & Noble College.
Senior Pre-Award Specialist, Research and Sponsored Programs
- Phone
- 973-655-3223
- wolvertons@montclair.edu
- Location
- The School of Nursing and The Graduate School, 421
Sam joined the Office of Sponsored Programs in August 2012. As a senior member of OSP’s Pre-Award team, he supports faculty in preparing competitive proposals to federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as foundations and corporations. In addition, Sam manages OSP’s funding opportunities listserv; edits and publishes OSP publications; manages OSP’s social media presence; and presents at OSP trainings and events. Prior to joining OSP, he held positions in both publishing and accounting. Sam has a BA in English from Rutgers University.