September 11, 2023
The University of Alabama Office for Research & Economic Development selected three students for its second cohort of Early Career Research Administration Fellows.
The year-long fellowship gives undergraduate students insight into UA’s multi-faceted research enterprise and offers first-hand training with seasoned research administrators.
The 2023-2024 ECRA fellows, chosen from a competitive application process, are
- Brooke Bailey of Trussville, Alabama, who majors in microbiology with a minor in general business while part of the Randall Research Scholars Program. Bailey will work with the Office for Sponsored Programs.
- Micah Pentecost of Heflin, Alabama, who majors in management information systems (MIS) with a minor in human resource management while part of the Honors College. Pentecost will work with the Office for Sponsored Programs with a focus on systems, data management, and reporting.
- Jenna Groeber of Center Valley, Pennsylvania, who majors in chemical engineering while part of the STEM Path to MBA and Emerging Scholars Program. Groeber will work with the Office for Sponsored Programs.
“ORED is excited to support our Fellows again this year. This program is designed to promote workforce development in research administration, and provides introduction to a very practical skillset,” said Dr. Allen Parrish, interim vice president for research & economic development. “There are tremendous opportunities in research administration, and we are happy to provide support for our students to take advantage of those opportunities.”
The ECRAF program is designed to provide undergraduate students with the experience and training necessary to explore and potentially begin a career in research administration.
“Being a student at the University of Alabama has allowed me to grow in ways that I would’ve never thought possible before my freshman year. Now, as a senior, I am excited to take all I’ve learned from my science and business disciplines and apply it as an ECRA Fellow in the Office for Sponsored Programs. This Fellowship connects the two halves of my education and experience – and I am eager to see how it both expands my current capabilities and challenges me in new ways while I view research from a different perspective,” said Bailey.
Applicants selected one of five research focused areas: research communications and web development, sponsored programs, contract and grant accounting, compliance, and intellectual property and commercialization. Selected fellows will be immersed in ORED and receive training in a team environment as well as direct mentorship from national leaders in the field of research administration.
“I’m filled with gratitude for being chosen as a Data Management and Reporting Fellow for the 2023-24 school year,” said Pentecost. “This incredible chance to blend my education with meaningful projects while experiencing professional growth is a truly remarkable opportunity.”
“My time at The University of Alabama would not have been the same without the invaluable research experience I gained in the Harris Lab starting my freshman year. I had the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research alongside impressive graduate students and professors as both my role models and peers,” said Groeber. “Now as an ECRA Fellow, I look forward to exploring the management side of research to broaden my knowledge of the field and prepare me for a potential career in research administration.”
More information about the Early Career Research Administration Fellowship is available online.