 |
|
|
Elsa Acevedo
Research Secretary
Elsa Acevedo joined the Research Office in 2009 as the Research Secretary. She is located in the main office in room 129 of Building 20. Elsa is responsible for processing all new WOC appointees, research functional statement reviews, and all ECAR requests for computer access. She is also the contact for Building 20 work order requests. Elsa can also be contacted if you are interested in reserving the Building 20 conference room.
(716) 862-6528 – elsa.acevedo@va.gov
|
 |
Jill Madden
Human Research Protection Program Administrator
Jill Madden joined the Research Office in her role as HRPP Administrator in 2014. She came to us with previous experience with IRB oversight and research office operations. Jill is located in the main administrative office in room 129 of Building 20. Her responsibilities include oversight of the human research program at VAWNYHS, including the Institutional Review Board. This includes policy oversight, quality improvement, and compliance oversight. She also serves as the coordinator for the Research & Development Committee. Jill is your contact for new study submissions, quality assurance/quality improvement projects and anything relating to the human research program at VAWNYHS.
(716) 862-6523 – jill.madden@va.gov
|
 |
Cynthia Tatta
Budget Assistant
Cynthia Tatta joined the Research Office in 2006 as the Budget Assistant. She is responsible for managing the budgets for all VA Research funds at VAWNYHS. Cynthia works with all investigators to plan their budgets prior to grant submission, and works to ensure proper and timely execution of funding once received. She manages all research Inter-Personnel Agreements as well. Please contact Cynthia to schedule a meeting if you are preparing a grant submission as she can guide you to ensure an appropriate spending plan.
(716) 862-6524 – cynthia.tatta@va.gov
|
 |
Rebecca Benz
Veterinary Medical Unit Supervisor
Becky Benz joined the Research Office in 1995 as the Veterinary Medical Unit Supervisor. As the VMU supervisor, she is responsible for the daily operations of the unit. Including animal husbandry, colony management, treatment and procedures, training of animal users, and a wide array of additional tasks related to the operation of the veterinary medical unit. Becky is a Registered Laboratory Animal Technologist, and she is very active in the animal research community. This helps to ensure that we are always providing the best animal husbandry, and remaining current in best practices of animal care and use. Becky also serves as the Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Research Safety. She can be contacted with any questions or concerns related to the Animal Care and Use program at VAWNYHS.
(716) 862-6517 – rebecca.benz@va.gov
|
 |
Cheryl Dann
IACUC & SRS Coordinator
Cheryl Dann joined the Research Office in 2007 as an Animal Caretaker. In 2017 she changed roles to serve as the IACUC/SRS Coordinator for the Research Office. She is responsible for the coordination of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, the Subcommittee on Research Safety, and the Research Laboratory Safety Subcommittee. This includes protocol review, committee management, policy updates, etc. Cheryl is located in room 127 of Building 20. She is your contact for any animal research protocol submissions, or research safety concerns. (716) 862-6021 – cheryl.dann@va.gov
|
 |
Valerie Mrzyglod
Education Coordinator
Valerie Mrzyglod joined the Research Office in 2017 as the Education Coordinator. Valerie’s hours are Monday and Wednesday 7:00am – 3:30pm and Thursday 7:00am – 11:00am. She manages all research education tracking. New investigators and research staff can contact Valerie and she can provide all the information they need regarding education requirements for conducting research at VAWNYHS. Valerie is located in room 127 of Building 20. (716) 834-9200 x5056 – Valerie.Mrzyglod@va.gov
|
 |
Patricia Bongiovanni
Institutional Review Board Coordinator
Pat Bongiovanni joined the Research Office in 2016 as the IRB Coordinator. Pat is responsible for managing all submissions to the IRB committee. This includes continuing reviews, amendments, SAEs, notifications, etc. Pat can be contacted with any questions on the IRB submission process. She is located in room 127 of Building 20.
(716) 834-9200 x5836 – patricia.bongiovanni@va.gov
|
 |
Mary Ann Blake
Administrative Officer for Research & Development
Mary Ann Blake joined the VAWNYHS Research Department in January, 2018, as the AO/R&D. Prior to this role, Ms. Blake served as a Health System Specialist for the New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network (VISN 2). Ms. Blake is responsible for the administrative operations of the Research Program at VAWNYHS. She manages the staff of the research office and provides support to all research investigators and personnel. She acts as a liaison between the Research Department and other departments across the medical center and the VA enterprise. Mary Ann can assist you with questions or concerns relating to research program at VAWNYHS.
(716) 862-6527 – mary.blake@va.gov
|
 |
Ali El Solh, MD, MPH
Associate Chief of Staff for Research & Development
Dr. El Solh joined the VAWNYHS Research Department in 2013 as the Associate Chief of Staff for R&D. As the ACOS/R&D, Dr. El Solh is responsible for oversight of the Research Program at VAWNYHS. He works as a liaison between the research program, VAWNYHS leadership, affiliated universities, and other agencies to drive the research mission and continue to grow the research enterprise at VAWNYHS. Dr. El Solh can be contacted with questions regarding research funding opportunities and eligibility for VA research funding.
(716) 862-6528 – ali.el-solh@va.gov
|
