Lifelong Longhorn, a Longhorn Again

This month, in honor of National Research Administrators Day (September 25), we are featuring one of our many talented research administrators: Christian Flores, who rejoined OVPR in March following three years away after 16 years on the team. Her position — director of learning, engagement and strategic support — is a new one, and Flores is embracing the uncharted territory. It “feels like a challenge and an opportunity,” she said.

She also tells us why breakfast is her favorite meal and the origin story of all that UT football paraphernalia in her office (spoiler: it began at birth).

You have a long history as a Longhorn. Tell us how you ended up at OVPR.

I first started working at UT Austin in August 2007 in the Office of Sponsored Projects. I spent five years on the team that handles subawards and then managed the grants team until January 2023, when I left to become the director of the Office of Innovation and Development at Austin ISD. I returned to OSP in March 2026 in my current role as director of learning, engagement and strategic support.

What does your new job entail?

I started this past March, and I really lean into big-picture thinking in this role. What I love most is that the position is brand new, which feels like both a challenge and an opportunity. It’s exciting to bring together my 20-plus years in grant management and research administration and apply a new lens to the work.

Right now I’m focused on creating efficiencies for research administrators through new learning strategies. That means building opportunities to listen. We’re hearing directly from departmental research administrators about what they need and getting feedback from our OSP team to better understand not only the “what,” but also the “how.” Over the past six months, by asking questions and intentionally listening, those conversations have helped clarify where we can make the greatest impact and have shaped the priorities I'm focused on.

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

What excites me most about my current role is the ability to be creative and problem-solve. I get to think about not only how we can better support research administrators, but also how we can improve the way we communicate, engage and work together. I like to think of what we’re building as a flywheel of continuous and connected impact-driven learning.

I think the biggest surprise has been just how much opportunity there is. Because the role is brand new, there isn’t a predetermined roadmap. That gives me and the team the opportunity to listen, try things, learn what works and think creatively about how we can better support research administrators.

You’re a member of an increasingly rare species in Austin: a native Austinite. Tell us more.

I’m a very proud original Austinite. I was born and raised here and have lived in Austin my entire life. I also married another original Austinite. We went to Austin High School together but didn’t reconnect until our 10-year reunion. A few years later, we got engaged in front of the UT Tower, which feels fitting given how much UT and Austin are woven into our story.

I love Austin because Austin is home.

And anyone who has seen your office knows you’re a big UT sports fan.

My fandom for all things Longhorn sports probably began at birth, but my first memories are of going to games with my dad. Growing up as an only child and a daddy’s girl, Texas sports became a way for us to connect and spend time together.

My husband and I also spent about two hours on our first date talking about our shared experience of being at the 2005 national championship game [which UT won — its last national title]. And now, being a Longhorn fan has become a way for me to connect with my 15-year-old son.

Texas football is fun to watch, but for me it’s really about all the memories with family and friends that are wrapped up in being a Longhorn fan.

What do you like to do in your free time?

My favorite thing to do in my free time is travel. Ironically, as much as I love being home, I also love exploring new cities, trying new restaurants and going places I’ve never been before.

My 11-year-old daughter caught the travel bug as well. She humors the rest of us by going to football games, but she’s usually the one inspiring me to try new things and explore new places. I love that we share that sense of adventure.

And finally, most important: If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

If I had to eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would definitely be breakfast because that’s my favorite meal. I’d probably pair eggs with some sort of Danish so I could have a little bit of sweet and a little bit of salty. If I’m eating the same meal forever, I need both!