“I was once accused of going into research so that I wouldn’t have to work with people,” says Nancy Koroloff, who may be one of the friendliest “people persons” you will ever meet. Fortunately, as Associate Vice Provost for Research and Sponsored Projects, she works with more people than almost anyone on campus while continuing to do research under two grants of her own. Though Nancy has excelled in her many leadership roles, at heart she will always be a student, a teacher, and a researcher; having been all of these since starting her career at Portland State in the mid 1970’s.

Janet arrived at the Park Blocks in May 2007 to provide administrative support to the University Development office and joined ORSP in October 2008.  She has worked in musical theater and summer stock, orthopedics, marketing and communications, investment management, and non-profit development.  She holds a B.A. in Theater from Tulane University and a M.A. in English Literature from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  When she isn’t cheerfully processing awards and facilitating Faculty Development Grant proposals, Janet is attempting to write a collection of short stories with her rather moody and elusive muse. 

Kam started at PSU in 2003 as a temp and joined ORSP's staff in 2006. In her current role as Research Services Coordinator, Kam helps researchers to submit proposals electronically, assists with budget development for proposals, oversees internal processing of awards & contracts, and maintains the Research Administration website. Always seeking ways to reduce paper usage and to increase efficiency, Kam is working towards electronic research administration by developing online forms to streamline internal processes. During non-business hours, you can find Kam exploring Oregon's backcountry with her canine companion, Max. In the case of inclement weather, Portland's pubs provide an excellent source of shelter and nourishing microbrews.

Asli Berhane - Fiscal Coordinator

“My goal is to help research teams achieve their goals of maximizing the use of PSU innovation, by helping researchers strategically manage research to develop relationships necessary to transfer knowledge out of PSU to users” says Dana Bostrom, who in August 2007 joined Portland State as the Director of Innovation & Industry Alliances in ORSP. Dana also works extensively with the Portland State Business Accelerator, to help new, local businesses succeed. She has the heart of a true Northwesterner and has in her personal collection a piece of the Kingdome and ash from the 1980 Mt. St. Helens eruption.

Since September 2002, Anisa Chisti has been a Grant Accountant in the Office of Research Accounting where she is responsible for the Centers and Institutes on campus and the coordination and maintenance of the PSU Personnel Activity Reports. While it’s true that Anisa is a fabulous accountant, she’s an even better cook and has taught private cooking classes in Indian and Pakistani cuisine. Where do I sign up?

Michael Clark - Payroll/PAR Coordinator

Jeremy Dalton started at Portland State as a Temporary Office Specialist in the Business Affairs Directors Office (BAO). After stops in Finance & Administration and University Relations he joined the new Innovation & Industry Alliances team in ORSP in January as the Industry & Communication Liaison. He is responsible for managing the Intellectual Property Database and works to connect PSU researchers with possible funding, licensing and opportunities for collaboration in both the public and private sector. He also works extensively on internal and external communications pertaining to research at Portland State. Previous stops along the path that brought Jeremy to Portland include being a probation officer for Salt Lake County and a ballroom dance instructor on Catalina Island.

Tina Frost joined ORSP in October 2006.  She has a BA in mathematics from Reed College and MS in Urban & Public Affairs from Carnegie-Mellon University.  She has managed a skid row organization and led a statewide network of non-profit groups working to end domestic and sexual violence. Tina has also worked in public transit, writing and managing grants for TriMet, and assisting transit agencies in Oregon, Washington and Alaska through the Federal Transit Administration. Tina enjoys hiking and playing the bass, fortunately not at the same time.

Cathleen Gal came to Portland State in 1988 as a student worker in Electrical & Computer Engineering. As a PSU student, she once represented the United States at an international collegiate Model United Nations conference, and received her BA in History in 1991. Now days, Cathleen serves as the Research Integrity Coordinator where she assists PSU researchers in minimizing the risks associated with their research involving human subjects, animals, radiation, chemicals, lasers…you get the idea.

A graduate from the University of Portland, Michelle Gano first came to work for Portland State in February of 1992 in Accounts Receivable. In May of 2008 Michelle joined the RA team as a Research Accountant for the science departments. Though her job keeps Michelle busy, she finds time to take care of Opie her box turtle.

Craig Haynes started working at Portland State as a student worker in the Office of Finance & Administration in June 2005. After receiving his BS in Accounting he joined RA as a Research Accountant where he works with budgets, audit effort reports, A/R reconciliation, compliance, and reports to granting agencies. While Craig enjoys running (he was a short distance phenom in his youth) he would just as soon sit on his couch and watch his favorite English football club Arsenal run around on the screen instead, or even spend the afternoon in his garden.

This Fall, Bill Helsley will celebrate his tenth year at PSU. Currently he serves as ORSP's Lead Grant Specialist. Also, Bill is an alumnus who earned a BS in Accounting. Having worked in both pre-award and post-award offices, Bill is the "go-to guy" for Research Administration at PSU. In addition to helping faculty with grant proposals, he also helps Oregon's wildlife. He is a Falconer and holds an Oregon Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit for Raptors, Reptiles & Amphibians.

Fleeing the east coast in September of 2008, Joseph began work as an Innovation Associate in the Innovation & Industry Alliances team in ORSP.  As an Innovation Associate, Joseph helps to manage innovations resulting from PSU research with an eye towards commercial applications and seeing our innovations used in the public.  He holds a B.S. in Integrated Science and Technology with a concentration in Biotechnology from James Madison University, and an M.A. in molecular biology from Stony Brook University.  He has worked as a house painter, veterinary technician’s assistant, high school teacher, biotechnology manufacturing technician, door to door vacuum cleaner salesman, and once spent a summer zapping human molars with a laser.  Prior to joining PSU, Joseph worked in technology transfer offices at Stony Brook University in New York and George Mason University in Virginia.

Martha Kierstead came to PSU when the contracting position was created in ORSP in 1998, in what has proven to be a busy and productive decade in the PSU research community. As the Lead Contract Officer, she manages the workflow of the research contracts team.  She drafts and negotiates research contracts with a wide variety of sponsors and subcontractors - large and small, private and public.  After graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in Art History, she managed an art gallery, and was the Marketing Director for the Eugene Symphony.  Gardening is her preferred form of therapy.  Her most recent class, though not at PSU, was an introduction to Italian.  Ciao!

Huong Mai has been with the Research Accounting Office since September 1999. As a Grant Accountant, she is responsible for monitoring and approving expenditures charged to grants and preparing financial reports for grant sponsors. Huong loves Vietnamese music and is an accomplished singer.

Tabatha Millican - Awards Management Coordinator

It’s folks like Wanda Packard that make Portland State such a great place to work. She started in Auxiliary Accounting in 1982, joined Departmental Accounting in 1994, and has been with Research Accounting since 2000 as a Fiscal Coordinator where she “tries to coordinate all those rowdy little fiscals that run around this place.” When asked about her experience herding sheep with her dogs, Wanda replies, “Actually my dogs have herded sheep with virtually no assistance from me but they let me come along.”

Lee Ann started at PSU in 2006 at the Regional Research Institute and joined ORSP in 2008 as a graduate administrative assistant. She holds a B.S. degree in Sociology and is presently in her first year of the MSW program at Portland State. Prior to joining PSU, Lee Ann was manager of Chez Panisse Foundation in Berkeley, California for 15 years. When she has free time, she loves to cook for friends or travel to see family.

Joan Ribeiro joined RA as a Grant Accountant in October 2004 where she is responsible for expenditure/revenue/compliance monitoring, preparation and submission of periodically required financial reports and schedules, and the ever present “other duties as assigned” function. She loves spending time outdoors, and she enjoys watching – not being in – a good rodeo.

Karen Thomson started in ORSP September of 2006. Prior to joining ORSP, she was a corporate attorney at a local high tech company. She has a BS with Honors from PSU and a JD from Lewis and Clark Law School. Karen is one of three contract officers in ORSP. She works with sponsors and subcontractors drafting, reviewing and negotiating agreements relating to research. She also serves on the Copyright Working Committee. Karen is one of those rare breeds, a native Oregonian. She was born in Prineville and grew up in the Medford area. At least once a year she returns with her husband and son to her Central Oregon roots to smell the sagebrush, visit the owls at the High Desert Museum and ride horses.

Joey van der Naald is a sophomore at Portland State University and the Student Technical Assistant for the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. He is studying psychology and computer science and is involved in the Honors program. Besides his classes at Portland State and his time spent with the Computer Action Team in his freshman year, Joey is a self-taught technology enthusiast. Growing up around computers and the Internet has fueled his interest in technology and prepared him for the dynamic IT field. When not in the office or at school, Joey occupies his time by studying Norwegian, reading, and playing electric guitar in a local Portland band.

Since April 2005, Colyn Ward has been an indispensable part of Research Operations at Portland State in her role as RA Office Specialist. She sets up new awards, processes stipend payments and student tuition credits, and helps keep the lines of communication open between the Research offices and countless other units all over campus. Be sure to say “hi” next time you see her smiling face around campus.