Office of Research and Sponsored Programs: Staff

Maria Montoro Edwards, Ph.D., CRA

Assistant Vice President for Research
Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, 211A
(570) 961-4775 | montoro@marywood.edu

Dr. Montoro Edwards is a Certified Research Administrator. Employed at Marywood for ten years, she previously worked in museum administration. Her focus as Assistant Vice President for Research is to promote faculty and student research, oversee compliance management, and secure external funds.

Laura Ann Camlet Houser, Ph.D.

As the Director of Research Compliance for the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Dr. Houser is responsible for the review of exempt research and the coordination of the Exempt Review Committee (ERC) as well as the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).  She trains and supports researchers at Marywood in ethical practices, integrity of research, and adherence to University and federal regulations.  A long-time member of the Marywood community, Laura received her Bachelor's Degree in Communication Arts with a major in Musical Theatre and two minors in Dance and English from Marywood.  She also attended Marywood for her graduate work, where she earned her Master's Degree in Communication Arts with an Interdisciplinary Concentration of Communication Arts and Theatre, as well as her Ph.D. in Human Development with an Instructional Leadership Concentration.  In addition, Laura is an adjunct faculty member for the Communication Arts Department at Marywood where she teaches Dynamics of Speech.

Courene M. Loftus, MPA, CIP

Director of Human Participants Protection
Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, 211
(570) 961-4782 | cloftus@marywood.edu

As the Director of Human Participants Protection, Courene is responsible for the review of research qualifying for expedited or full review, as well as management of the Institutional Review Board. She trains and supports researchers in ethical practices and adherence to federal, state and local laws and regulations. An alumna of Marywood, Courene holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Design/Photography and a Master's in Public Administration with a concentration in Non-Profit Management. She is also a Certified IRB Professional (CIP). An active member of the Greater Scranton Jaycees since 2003, Courene has served the organization in various leadership positions, including Vice-President (2007), President (2009) and Chair of the Board (2010).

Brian Whelan

Assistant Director of Sponsored Programs
Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, 212
(570) 340-6087 | bwhelan@marywood.edu

Brian provides administrative supervision for research, grant and contract activities within Academic Affairs. He assists faculty with identifying funding sources, developing the proposal and the submission process. Brian is a member of the Council of Undergraduate Research (CUR) and the Eastern Pennsylvania Grant Network.

Stephanie LaFave

Grant Specialist
Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, 213
(570) 340-6050 | lafave@marywood.edu

Stephanie assists principal investigators and project directors with all phases of post-award process from the time an award is made through close-out. Stephanie has a background in accounting and has certificates from the National Council on University Research Administration (NCURA) in the Fundamentals of Sponsored Programs and Financial Research Administration.

Kristie J. Congdon

Information Specialist
Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, 214
(570)-340-6088 | kcongdon@marywood.edu

Kristie's role within the Office of Research team is to "spread the word." Developing, directing, and administering information allows her to provide dissemination services that include opportunities for research as they exist and are created. Keeping record of the many projects within the Office of Research allows her to draw on her background as a legal assistant, something she readily admits helps with her responsibilities. The importance of available detailed information is key to successful communication, and Kristie feels well prepared for the fast paced, continuously changing environment of research and grants.

Ryan Houser, MA

Ryan is the Administrative Assistant for the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at Marywood University.  Ryan received his Bachelor's Degree in Communication Arts with a major in Theatre and a minor in English from Marywood.  He also attended Marywood for his graduate work, where he earned a Master's Degree in Communication Arts. 

Sarah E. Cruz

Sarah assists with the initial processing of all Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Exempt Review Committee (ERC) studies. A recent alumna of Marywood, she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with three minors in Writing, Women’s Studies, and Art History. Sarah is enrolled in the Public Administration Program within the School of Social Work & Administrative Studies. In addition, she serves as a Copy Editor for Marywood’s student newspaper, the Wood Word.

Sneh Akruvala, MS

Sneh assists with research and program evaluation for the ASEC (African Sisters Education Collaborative) and SLDI (Sister Leadership Development Initiative) Programs.  Sneh is a recent alumna of Marywood, where she received her Masters of Science in Gerontology.  She is currently enrolled as a full-time doctoral student in Human Development with a Health Promotion Concentration at Marywood.