Research breakthroughs don’t happen overnight, and they don’t happen without research administrators working tirelessly behind the scenes to help principal investigators secure funding and navigate complex regulations.
To recognize these essential contributions, The University of Texas at Austin Association of Research Administrators and the Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors presented the 2025 Research Administrator Awards on Sept. 23.
This year’s honorees are Jeff Meserve, associate director of research development at the Humanities Institute, who received the Outstanding Research Administrator of the Year Award, and Gabrielle Phan-Costello, research administrator at the Oden Institute, who received the Rookie Research Administrator of the Year Award.
"Research administrators are the backbone of the research enterprise at UT,” said Fernanda Leite, interim vice president for research. “Their work is essential to advancing the groundbreaking work that defines TEXAS Research."
Research administrators prepare, review and submit proposals; process awards; navigate controlled and classified data; and manage budgets. They also play an invaluable role in cultivating and maintaining relationships with principal investigators, University administrators and funding agencies.
This past year, UT research administrators facilitated the submission of 3,323 award proposals and helped researchers and scholars manage more than 4,400 active sponsored projects valued at more than $1.3 billion.
Outstanding Research Administrator of the Year
The Outstanding Research Administrator of the Year Award honors a seasoned professional with more than three years of service who has demonstrated exceptional contributions beyond day-to-day responsibilities.
With more than a decade of service at UT, Jeff Meserve has become a cornerstone of research support at the Humanities Institute. Faculty credit him with helping increase both the number of proposals submitted and the confidence of researchers pursuing external funding.
He is known for strategizing with faculty to connect their interdisciplinary or community-engaged research with funding opportunities, often across departments or institutions. His colleagues describe him as consistently responsive, empathetic, and generous with his time, even under tight deadlines.
"He’s a true hero of our college and a foundational piece of our efforts to elevate humanities scholarship,” said Rob Crosnoe, professor in the Department of Sociology and the former senior associate dean for research in the College of Liberal Arts. “He’s the very model of the staff-faculty partnership so integral to research development and administration."
Lindy Aleshire, manager of award services in the College of Liberal Arts, said that beyond grant support, Meserve has mentored colleagues and strengthened the Institute’s organizational culture, making him a trusted leader who, "brings honor to the University."
Rookie Research Administrator of the Year
The Rookie Research Administrator of the Year Award recognizes a rising star with fewer than three years of consecutive service.
Gabrielle Phan-Costello joined the Oden Institute in 2023 after five years as a high school English teacher and has quickly established herself as an invaluable member of the team. She is known for learning the names and needs of every student in her group, proactively reaching out to assist with reimbursements and purchasing, and collaborating seamlessly across departments.
Her attention to detail has already made a measurable impact. She identified a payroll error that had gone unnoticed, carefully reviewed past records, and ensured corrections were made — saving her team future complications. Colleagues also note her positive approach.
"She makes administrative tasks very easy and straightforward, and she prevents a lot of stress before it has happened," said Hamzah Khan, a graduate research assistant at the Oden Institute.