Research Development
Advancing UCF research with personalized support for funding and proposal development.
Tamara Gabrus
Sr. Director, Research Advancement & Strategy
PhD (current student), Public Affairs
MS, Criminal Justice
BS, Psychology
Tamara oversees the Research Development and Research Initiatives offices at UCF, shaping institutional strategy and strengthening interdisciplinary partnerships, proposal development, and faculty-focused programs like the Faculty Cluster Initiative. She assists faculty in crafting competitive proposals, assembling collaborative teams, and accessing services like EARLIER and PASS. Supporting UCF research faculty since 2007.
Joshua Roney, PhD
Director, Research Development
PhD, Texts and Technology
MA, Rhetoric & Composition
BA, English
Josh directs operations for the Research Development (RD) team and helps with strategic initiatives, partnerships, internal programs, EARLIER, and proposal review. He is also a resource for research analytics and using RD systems like InfoReady, SciENcv, and IKM Dashboards. Supporting UCF research faculty since 2010.
Madhavi (Maddy) Chokshi
Team Lead, RD Research Strategies
BA, Journalism
Maddy leads RD funding identification services and faculty support programs—including the Grant Writing Academy and Mentoring programs—while helping onboard new faculty and advance early career initiatives. She also coordinates peer reviews and the sample proposal library. Supporting UCF research faculty since 1993.
April Torre
Team Lead, RD Faculty Engagement & Outreach
BA, Public Administration
April leads RD outreach and event planning, coordinating workshops, conferences, and collaborative initiatives like UCF Collaborates. She also manages the RD SharePoint catalogue of past workshop resources. Supporting UCF research faculty since 2010.
Mark Gauthier
Team Lead, RD Proposal Development
BS, Communications
Mark leads RD proposal development services and resources, including graphic design, drafting, and editing expertise to faculty preparing complex, multi-disciplinary grant proposals, with a focus on visual clarity and impactful messaging. He also manages proposal development resources like boilerplates and the Toolkits. Supporting UCF research faculty since 2023.
Megan Kellogg
Specialist, Institutional Programs and Funding Support
PhD (coursework completed), Public Affairs
MS, Criminal Justice
BA, Psychology
Megan coordinates REU Site support and assists with internal programs and EARLIER as the RD team’s C&P coordinator. She also helps faculty identify funding opportunities and navigate resources to support research development. Supporting UCF research faculty since 2017.
Kaitlin Kirsch
Graduate Assistant, Graphic Design
MFA (current student), Studio Art & Design
BA, Studio Art & Design
Kaitlin supports RD proposal development through graphic design that enhances visual communication in complex, multi-disciplinary grant proposals. Her work includes infographics and visual identity design that clarify key data and communicate complex ideas with impact. Supporting UCF research faculty since 2024.