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, MA
As the Director of Research Compliance for the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Laura 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). Laura trains and supports researchers at Marywood in ethical practices, integrity of research, and adherence to University and federal regulations. A long-time part of the Marywood community, Laurie 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 a Master's Degree in Communication Arts with an Interdisciplinary Concentration of Communication Arts and Theatre. Laura is currently in the Instructional Leadership track of the Doctoral Program at Marywood, pursuing a Ph.D. in Human Development (ABD). 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
Courene manages the Institutional Review Board, which reviews full and expedited studies involving human participants. She also trains and supports researchers in ethical practices, adherence to federal, state and local laws and regulations, and the use of IRBNet. An alumna of Marywood, Courene holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Design/Photography, a Master's in Public Administration, and is also a certified IRB professional (CIP). She has been an active member of the Greater Scranton Jaycees for the past eight years, serving in various leadership positions, including 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
Administrative Assistant Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families 208 (570) 961-4778Ryan is happy to be the new 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.
Allison Melvin
Graduate Assistant
Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, 208
(570) 961-4778, Ext 2233 | amelvin@m.marywood.edu
Megan Wright
Graduate AssistantKeith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, 208(570) 961-4778, Ext 2458 | mewright@m.marywood.edu
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs | Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, Room 214 | (570) 340-6088 | research@marywood.edu