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Contact us to learn more about how we can help you find funding opportunities, submit more competitive large-scale interdisciplinary research proposals, or take advantage of the university's shared core research facilities or centers and institutes.

RDO Leadership and General Oversight

E: jmhorowi@ncsu.edu, P: 919.515.4479

Jon Horowitz was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Brown University with a degree in Biology in 1980. His graduate research was conducted at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he cloned and characterized the first endogenous retrovirus. 

Jon received a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology in 1985 and became a post-doctoral fellow in Robert A. Weinberg’s laboratory at the Whitehead Institute and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1986. His post-doctoral research focused on the characterization of the functional and biochemical properties of the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein, a product of the first cloned tumor-suppressor gene.  Jon showed that this tumor-suppressor protein was a target of several viral oncoproteins and discovered the first inactivating mutations within the Rb gene. 

Jon was appointed Assistant Professor at Duke University Medical Center in 1989 and helped discover that the Rb protein regulates cell proliferation via its control of transcription factor E2F. Jon moved to North Carolina State University in 1998 and rose through the ranks to Assistant Department Head of the Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences. At NC State, Jon’s laboratory focused on the regulation of stem cell proliferation/differentiation and the conversion of stem cells into tumor cells. Jon’s laboratory received research funding from the NIH for more than 20 years. Jon has chaired or been a member of 30 NIH and DOD extramural study sections, has served as an ad hoc reviewer or editorial board member for 25 scientific journals, received a faculty research award from the American Cancer Society, and is a Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences.

Jon was appointed Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research at NC State in 2013 and promoted to Associate Vice Chancellor in 2019. In this position, he oversees NC State Centers and Institutes and industrial consortia as well as the university’s Shared Core Research Facilities. Jon participates in a wide variety of research development activities, provides oversight of NC State’s Proposal Development Unit, and is responsible for administering the limited submission selection process as well as various internal and inter-institutional research seed-funding programs, including the recent Game-Changing Research Incentive Program (GRIP) and GRIP4PSI program. Finally, Jon coordinates inter-institutional research collaborations between NC State and Research Triangle International (RTI), UNC-CH’s Clinical Translational Science Institute (NC TraCS), the Lineberger Cancer Center, and the Clinical Translational Science Institute at Duke University.

Centers and Institutes and Industrial Consortia Administration

This unit of RDO disseminates information and news about NC State centers and institutes and facilitates planning for and the establishment of new centers, institutes and industrial consortia to support research.

Funding Initiatives

This unit of RDO assists faculty with identifying research funding opportunities, provides oversight of the internal review and selection process for extramural limited submission opportunities, and manages the Office of Research and Innovation’s internal funding programs.

E: jhalble@ncsu.edu, P: 919-513-3955

As the Research Planning Manager for the Research Development Office, Jennifer oversees the managing of the limited submission process, assists research faculty by publishing external and internal funding opportunities via the funding newsletter and special announcements and manages ORI’s internal seed-funding programs.

Jennifer earned a BS in Medical Microbiology & Immunology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and worked as a research associate in the UW School of Medicine & Public Health.  Before joining Research Development she worked for Research Operations and Communications. 

In her free time she enjoys spending time with her four kids, hiking and traveling. 

Research Infrastructure

The Office of Research and Innovation oversees six Shared Core Research Facilities, three of which report directly to RDO (listed below). Each facility houses state-of-the-art instruments and is staffed by scientists who offer training, specialized services and consultations.

Cellular and Molecular Imaging Facility (CMIF)

E: mpzareba@ncsu.edu, P: 919.513.7327

Mariusz Zareba received his Ph.D. from Jagiellonian University in 1999, where he researched the role of neuromelanin in etiology of Parkinson’s disease.

In the mid-2000s, he joined the Department of Ophthalmology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he started to use advanced microscopic techniques, such as live-cell imaging, to study the role of melanosomes in Retinal Pigment Epithelium. He joined Dr. Eva Johannes in CMIF in October 2017.

Genomic Sciences Laboratory (GSL)

E: dabaltze@ncsu.edu, P: 919.513.0738

Dr. Baltzegar first came to NC State as a PhD student in 2006, after finishing up both his Bachelor’s and M.S. degrees in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston. Recruited in the lab of Dr. Russell Borski (Biological Sciences), he studied vertebrate endocrinology related to growth and energy homeostasis in teleost fishes, key components to help make aquaculture a viable industry in North Carolina. Upon completion of his doctorate in 2013, Dr. Baltzegar did a brief one year post-doc in the lab of Dr. Ben Reading (Applied Ecology), helping to assemble and annotate the sequenced genome of the Striped Bass, an important finfish in North Carolina waters. After completing a temporary contract position at the Merck facility in Treyburn Park (Durham, NC), Dr. Baltzegar returned to serve as the Director of the Genomic Sciences Laboratory in 2015. In his current position, he advises faculty, staff and students on the latest Next Generation Sequencing technologies available at NC State, and works with other ORI units to help foster better integration of University resources in order to empower NC State research efforts.

Molecular Education, Technology and Research Innovation Center (METRIC)

E: david_muddiman@ncsu.edu, P: 919.513.0084

David received his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 1995. Prior to moving his research group to NC State in 2006, David was a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Founder and Director of the Proteomics Research Center at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, MN. Prior to this appointment, David was an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University. It was there that he began his professional career, as an assistant professor with an adjunct appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and as a member of the Massey Cancer Center in 1997.

E: jjbaryck@ncsu.edu, P:  919.513.0698

Joe received his Ph.D. from the University of Delaware in 1997. His areas of expertise include enzyme assay development, protein production, macromolecular crystallography, biophysical methods of measuring protein-ligand and protein-protein interactions.

Proposal Development Unit (PDU)

The PDU provides pre-award support for teams of NC State faculty developing large-scale ($1M+) interdisciplinary research proposals. For more information about the PDU, please visit the PDU Homepage.

E: pradip_pramanik@ncsu.edu, P: 919.513.0170

Pradip Pramanik

As a member of the senior leadership in the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI), Pradip Pramanik serves as the Executive Director of the Proposal Development Unit (PDU) in the Research Development Office (RDO). As Executive Director, he provides leadership in advancing NC State’s research enterprise by identifying and engaging appropriate faculty in strategic discussions related to research strengths, institutional resources, and funding opportunities; facilitating project-specific teams and interdisciplinary faculty affinity groups related to the research priority areas of NC State; seeking out opportunities for faculty from NC State and elsewhere to collaborate in response to existing and upcoming large/strategic opportunities; assisting in the formulation of strategic priorities for ORI and RDO, consistent with the broader university strategic planning framework; supervising the PDU staff to promote excellence in PDU-assisted proposals; and ensuring that the PDU strategies are effectively integrated with the goals of the university, ORI, and RDO.

Pradip has more than 35 years of project management and proposal development experience. He has served on review panels on several federal proposals. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Jadavpur University (India) and a master’s degree in Regional and Community Planning from Kansas State University.

E: mwhooker@ncsu.edu, P: 919.513.0141

Matt serves as an Assistant Director in the PDU, where he supports faculty teams in the preparation of research and training grant proposals in engineering and the physical sciences. His prior experience includes working at two privately held businesses and the NASA-Langley Research Center. During that time he served as PI for several projects involving the development of advanced materials for energy, defense, and aerospace applications. His work resulted in ~40 publications and 1 patent.

He earned B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Ceramic Engineering from Clemson University and has completed professional development training in Leadership, Project Management, and Proposal Development. Away from work he enjoys traveling, photography, running, and cycling.

E: mepuente@ncsu.edu, P: 919.515.5615

Molly Puente

As an Assistant Director in the PDU, Molly works with her team to develop proposals, conduct trainings, and coordinate resources to develop the biomedical, agricultural, and life sciences research portfolio across the campus.

Prior to joining the PDU, she served as a Presidential Management Fellow and worked for over a decade in various extramural offices at the National Institutes of Health. 

Molly received a B.A. in Biology from Duke University, and a Masters in Public Administration and Ph.D. in Entomology from NC State University. In her spare time, she plays the violin in the Raleigh Civic Symphony and volunteers in the Asiatic Arboretum of the Sarah P. Duke Gardens.

E: crmonroe@ncsu.edu, P: 919.513.0163

Carla Monroe

As a Proposal Developer, Carla assists teams with crafting interdisciplinary proposals for external funding. Carla joined the PDU from the NC State University College of Sciences. She has experience working with both public and private funding agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Duke Energy.

She received her B.A. from Meredith College and earned M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Emory University. During her career, she has published over 30 scholarly works and received a Spencer Foundation grant. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, sports, and art. Achieving fluency in other languages is one of her life goals.

E: epcrowley@ncsu.edu, P: 919.515.7585

As a Proposal Developer, Patrick’s daily responsibilities involve helping faculty prepare interdisciplinary proposals to federal and state agencies and private foundations. Before joining the PDU in 2013, Patrick worked as an Instructor at the University of South Carolina.  

He received a B.S. in Health and Exercise Science from Wake Forest University and a M.S. in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina. Outside of work, Patrick enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, fishing, and going to the beach.

E: msfrick@ncsu.edu, P: 919.513.8867

Michelle Frick

As a Proposal Developer, Michelle helps faculty teams develop multidisciplinary proposals in the areas of life sciences, health, and agriculture. She also has special portfolio responsibilities for supporting proposals coming out of NC State’s Plant Sciences Initiative. 
Prior to joining the PDU, she spent several years working with the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, where she worked with legal staff to write and edit publications on legislation that affected law enforcement, as well as to coordinate meetings and events. She also spent a number of years teaching high school English in Wake County Public Schools.
Michelle earned a B.A. in English from Peace College and completed the teaching licensure program for secondary education in English/Language Arts at Meredith College. Additionally, she has completed professional development training in project management and Lean Six Sigma. In her spare time, she enjoys running, watching baseball and hockey, and spending time with her two boys.

E: aakrentz@ncsu.edu, P: 919.513.3635

As a Proposal Developer, Amanda helps faculty develop and prepare grant proposals that span across multiple disciplines. She focuses on proposals in the areas of agriculture, health, and life sciences as well as supports proposals for the Genetics and Genomics Academy.

Amanda earned her B.S. from Centenary College of Louisiana with a focus in Neuroscience. She then earned her Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Neuroscience and Behavior. Before joining the PDU, she worked as both a postdoctoral fellow and Adjunct Lecturer in the Biological Sciences Department at NC State. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, listening to podcasts, watching reality TV, and participating in online communities.

E: jlcomer2@ncsu.edu

As a Proposal Developer, Jennifer works closely with faculty to create interdisciplinary proposals for external funding. Jennifer joined the PDU from NC State’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering where she worked with faculty on proposals. Prior to joining NC State, Jennifer worked with non-profit organizations on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and health proposals and managed programs funded by USAID, UNICEF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and GiveWell. She also taught English in Spain and has worked in advocacy, both domestically and internationally.

She received her B.A. in History and Political Science from UNC-Chapel Hill and her M.A. in International Studies, with a specialization in global water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), from NC State.  Jennifer enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling internationally, hiking in nature and reading.

E: ktmegerl@ncsu.edu, P: 919.515.1783

As a Research Proposal Specialist, Kelsey assists the Proposal Developers with the preparation of multidisciplinary proposals for external funding agencies. Prior to joining the PDU, she served as a Pre-Award Consultant for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in which she assisted faculty members in the preparation of proposals submitted to federal and industry partners.

Kelsey received a B.A. in International Affairs and Religious Studies from James Madison University. She aspires to return to school and earn her Ph.D. in Sociology. In her free time, she likes to hike in nature and brew specialty coffees.

E: rvvillar@ncsu.edu

As a Research Proposal Specialist, Russell assists the Proposal Developers with the preparation of multidisciplinary proposals for sponsored research. Prior to joining the PDU, he served as a Contracts and Grants Manager for the Nuclear Engineering department and the Industrial and System Engineering department where he would oversee Pre-award and Post-award activities for sponsored research at the department level.

Russell received his A.A.S. degree from Wake Tech Community College before becoming a devoted father of three children and currently is working towards achieving his B.S. in Chemical Engineering and aspires to earn his Ph.D. to continue working in sponsored research as a faculty member.

E: jbrown28@ncsu.edu, P: 919.513.2566

As the Project Assistant for the PDU,  Jessica assists with collection and formatting of CVs, Current and Pending Support, and other proposal documents. She also coordinates logistics for PDU-coordinated trainings, site visits, and other activities. Prior to joining the PDU in 2019, she spent many years as a full-time parent, worked in marketing for an online high school program and as a press team coordinator for a software company. 

Jessica holds a B.A. in Public Relations. In her free time, she loves to watch her four kids play sports and kayak at Falls Lake near her home.


Physical Address

200 Poulton Innovation Center
1021 Main Campus Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27606

Mailing Address

NC State University
Campus Box 7570
Raleigh, NC 27695-7570