Post-Award Staff
Christopher Hughes, PhD
Associate Dean of Research and Innovation
Phone: 949-824-8771
Email: cchughes@uci.edu
Office: 5101 Natural Sciences II
As the Associate Dean of Research and Innovation, Dr. Hughes oversees all research development efforts and serves as the School’s liaison with UCI Beall Applied Innovation to partner discoveries in biology with the business community. Dr. Hughes has been with UCI since 1996 and has served in numerous administrative roles, including as Chair of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, director of the Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, and co-leader of the Onco-Imaging and Biotechnology program at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. As a vascular biologist, Dr. Hughes is among the leading groups nationwide in the development of body-on-a-chip technology and is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Jason Park
Contracts and Grants Director
Phone: 949-824-5593
Email: jpark@uci.edu
Office: 5203 Natural Sciences II
Jason has been at UCI since 2002 and has previous experience in the Schools of Medicine and Engineering. His primary role in the School of Biological Sciences is to oversee all extramural research activity in both pre-award and post-award, ensuring proper award management, financial compliance, and meeting all sponsor requirements. In his free time, Jason enjoys golf, tennis, and mountain biking.
Post-Award Team
Joyce Penh
Post-Award Contracts and Grants Supervisor
Phone: 949-824-3510
Email: jpenh@uci.edu
Office: 5212 Natural Sciences II
Joyce has significant experience in research administration, beginning at UCLA in 2008. In 2012, she joined the School of Biological Sciences at UCI. Her primary role is to lead the post-award team and provide post-award support to faculty and researchers, from account set up to award closeout. Joyce enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and exploring new places.
Eleanor Chan
Senior Contracts and Grants Analyst
Phone: 949-824-4719
Email: echan@uci.edu
Office: 5200 Natural Sciences II
Eleanor worked at UCLA prior to transferring to UCI in 2002. She helps Neurobiology and Behavior faculty manage contracts and grants awards including federal, private and cooperative agreements. Eleanor enjoys spending time with her family and friends, including her four legged one. She also finds time for a good read and trying out new recipes.
Irma Rodriguez
Senior Contracts and Grants Analyst
Phone: 949-824-1287
Email: mprodrig@uci.edu
Office: 5200 Natural Sciences II
Irma has been at UCI since 2002 and has worked in both Biomedical Engineering and CALIT2. She joined the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) back in 2016 as a Senior Financial Analyst, where she gained experience with department accounts, project awards, and contracts and grants. Irma joined the post-award team within the Research: Administration and Development unit in 2021 and continues to support faculty from EEB and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry with post-award grant activity. Irma likes traveling and enjoying food from different places, cooking on the barbeque, and getting together with family.
TBD
Contracts and Grants Analyst
Phone:
Email:
Office: 5200 Natural Sciences II
Coming soon…
Shana Contreras
Contracts and Grants Analyst
Phone: 949-824-4740
Email: sjcontre@uci.edu
Office: 5200 Natural Sciences II
Shana came to UCI in 2015, where she joined the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry in the School of Biological Sciences as a Purchasing Coordinator. In 2016, she became a Finance Analyst for the department and has continued to handle post-award functions managing research grants and discretionary funding for BioSci’s faculty. When not working, Shana volunteers at her daughter’s school and attends her sporting events. During her down time, Shana thoroughly enjoys spending quality time with her family, friends and dogs.
TBD
Contracts and Grants Analyst
Phone:
Email:
Office: 5200 Natural Sciences II
Coming soon…
Leslie May Legaspi, MPA
Contracts and Grants Analyst
Phone: 949-824-4776
Email: legaspil@uci.edu
Office: 5200 Natural Sciences II
Leslie May is a UCI alum who joined the School of Biological Sciences in May 2022. In 2017, she earned her master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Public Finance Management. She has worked in the field of education since 2011, from tutoring and teaching to university administration. Leslie May’s primary role in the School is managing research grants for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology faculty. In her free time, she enjoys photography, going to Disneyland, and spending time with family and friends.
June Nong
Contracts and Grants Analyst
Phone: 949-824-4529
Email: jqnong@uci.edu
Office: 5200 Natural Sciences II
June joined the School of Biological Sciences in 2021 as a member of the Post-Award team. Her primary role is to support BioSci faculty in managing their research awards. June enjoys engaging with people from different backgrounds and will always say yes to trying something new.
If you are unsure who to contact, please send an email to bio-awards@uci.edu.
