Lourdes Bastas, associate director of post-award, grants and contracts administration at the University of North Georgia (UNG), gave a presentation about the differing research expectations at various universities at the National Council for University Research Administrators (NCURA) annual meeting this August.

Her talk, titled "How Big is Your Pond? Steering Sponsored Research at a R1, a PUI and Everything in Between," focused on how "the culture and identity of sponsored research varies greatly from institution to institution."

"Understanding and measuring your institution's expectations, support for faculty research and goals regarding research are essential to the success of your sponsored research programs," Bastas said.

NCURA was started in 1958 to aid in the evolution of the profession of research administration from that of a part-time job performed by employees with other primary duties into that of a full-time profession with specific requirements. More than 2,000 research administrators from the U.S. and abroad attended the meeting.

Bastas helps ensure proposals and awards are in compliance with UNG policies and the funding agency's regulations. With 10 years of professional experience in sponsored research administration, Bastas has honed her skills in pre- and post-award, including sponsor regulations and compliance.