A Q&A with Core Facilities Program Coordinator Rebecca Fitch
Like so many other members of our community at the Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors, core facilities program coordinator Rebecca Fitch supports campus researchers in a dynamic role that allows her to blend her project management skills with her passion for research support.
How long have you been at UT Austin? Have you ever worked in any other schools/departments?
I have had the privilege of being part of UT Austin for over 12 years. My journey started in the Spring of 2011 as the histology core facility manager at the Dell Pediatric Research Institute. In 2014, I transitioned to the main campus, serving as a lab manager for Dr. John Wallingford. After a brief hiatus, I rejoined UT Austin in 2023 as a program coordinator for the Center for Biomedical Research Support. Most recently, I joined the research core facility team in the OVPR in May, and I am thrilled to be here!
Are you a Texan native? If not, where are you from and how long have you been here?
Indeed, I am a proud Texan! I was born and raised in Wichita Falls, Texas, located northwest of Dallas/Fort Worth, almost to Oklahoma. I’ve called the Hill Country (San Marcos and Austin) home since 2003, aside from a few years in New Orleans, LA, where I attended Tulane University. Texas has always been where my heart is.
As a program coordinator, what does your role entail?
In my role as a program coordinator, I provide comprehensive administrative, outreach and project management support for the research core facility team. This includes event planning, spearheading professional development initiatives and creating opportunities for collaboration and information sharing among the research core facilities on campus. It’s a dynamic role that allows me to blend my project management skills with my passion for research support.
What’s it like working with the team at OVPR?
It’s been fantastic! I’m grateful for the opportunity to leverage my research background to support the campus community. This role not only allows me to learn new skills but also to refine and enjoy the aspects of my previous positions that I loved the most.
What do you like doing when you’re not in the office?
My family keeps me busy! My husband, our two daughters (almost 3 and 6), and our Havanese mix, Indie, make up the Fitch crew. We love exploring Austin on our e-bikes, and we’ve clocked over 5,000 miles in the past few years. It’s our favorite way to unwind and enjoy the city.
Where is your favorite place on Earth?
On a boat on the water. There's nothing quite like the feeling of being in open water, with the wind in your face and the sun on your skin, free from any other distractions.
The title of this profile is a play on the song, Rich Girl, written and recorded by Daryl Hall and John Oates in 1976.