Defense, Development and Disney

This month we talk with Ashley Tucker, who returned to Austin last year to join the Research Development team after six years in San Diego. She explains how she went from “majoring” in art in high school to earning a Ph.D. in functional genomics and co-developing a platform for discovering new antimicrobial peptides to her current role at OVPR, stewarding national security research.

What does your position entail as an RD officer of STEM disciplines? How long have you been in that role? 

My role as a research development officer is basically to act as a bridge between our faculty’s innovative research and federal funding opportunities in STEM. My research portfolio is primarily Department of Defense (DoD) sponsors, helping faculty navigate the mission-driven national security landscape, which requires a different approach than other agencies like NIH. 

I’m coming up on my one-year anniversary as an RD officer, so I’m still learning a lot, but I’ve gotten a good feel for the role and look forward to supporting even more faculty in the future.

How long have you been at UT Austin? Have you ever worked elsewhere on campus?

I was a postdoctoral researcher at UT for five years prior to joining again last year in my current role. In 2013, I worked in Professor Bryan Davies’ lab in the Department of Molecular Biosciences as his first postdoctoral hire. It was there that I worked on the first of many defense programs I would have in my career; I also co-developed a platform for discovering new antimicrobial peptides. That tech was licensed by a company in San Diego, where I moved in 2018. 

After working with the start-up for 2 years, I joined a defense contractor, Leidos, to tackle some really interesting defense challenges in synthetic biology. After that, I became a program officer for the Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority’s (BARDA) Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures (DRIVe) before making my way back to Austin.

What is your favorite thing about your job? Any big surprises so far?

One thing I love is introducing faculty to defense research opportunities they might not have considered before. It’s not about changing their passion but reframing it in a way that aligns with DoD missions while still supporting their core research goals. 

One big surprise for me has been how much programming and behind-the-scenes work goes into research development beyond just proposal support. We host a lot of collaborative events and skill-building workshops that really help faculty gain a competitive edge and build confidence to go after larger research visions. And yes, the food is pretty great, but what impressed me most is the wraparound support our team provides. It’s genuinely top tier. 

I know you earned a Ph.D. in functional genomics. First of all, what is functional genomics? Also, how did you go from molecular biology to research development?

Functional genomics is the science of figuring out what genes actually do. In my case, I worked in structural biology, which is kind of on the far end of the functional genomics spectrum, since it’s about figuring out the 3D structures of the molecules created by those genes. 

After being both an academic researcher and a program officer on the federal side, I realized I had a unique skill set to help faculty get their ideas off the ground. I feel like it’s a similar mission, just a different side of the equation — now I get to empower others.

When did you move to Austin, and what brought you here? What do you like most about it? 

I moved back to Austin in late 2024 when I worked remotely for HHS. My partner and I wanted to be closer to family in a place that felt like home. We really love the Austin vibes, the food, the live music and the art scene. We’ve both attended UT Austin and are Longhorns at heart!

I heard you are an artist in your spare time. Can you tell us about that? Is there somewhere we can see your work? 

Art has always been my creative outlet for as long as I can remember. If I had a major in high school, it probably would have been art. I love experimenting with different media and have been very inspired by Austin’s art scene. Even if I don’t paint as much now, I love visiting Canopy, attending the annual Austin Studio Tour and buying local artists’ work at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar. 

These days, my creativity is more focused on renovating our first home, but much of my past work can be found on my home and office walls.

What else do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, my partner and I try to attend live concerts and comedy shows, compete in Geeks Who Drink trivia nights with friends, play with our two cats and our husky, work on our never-ending home projects or find great Austin’s food spots. We’re also big "Game of Thrones" fans, so we’re really enjoying "Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" right now.

And finally, most important: What is your favorite place in the world, and why?

My favorite places are theme parks. When we lived in California near Disneyland and Universal Hollywood, we went at least once a year. We recently got back from a big trip to Orlando to check out Epic Universe and Disney World. I love the rides, the immersive worlds, the nostalgia and of course the sweet treats. It’s one of the few places where I can fully unplug and just have fun.