CoNEP Leadership Team
PI/Director, Philippe M Bardet, Ph.D. (GWU): Direct research, programming, and administrative tasks. As PI, he will have primary responsibility for the entire research project and ensure that partners adhere to the cooperative agreement.
Co-Director, Sonya Smith, Ph.D. (HU): Assist the Director in overseeing consortium progress and is a Faculty member at a HBCU. Coordinates external advisory committee council meetings.Provides oversight of pathways and education goals.
Administrative Director, TBD (GWU): Oversee the consortium progress. Lead the outreach efforts and coordination between the different programs and universities. Organizes summer programs and cohorts. Convenes external advisory committee meetings. Will follow mentees throughout their career.
Financial Analyst, Sabrina Drass (GWU):
Sabrina Drass will assist with the finances for this project. She will manage with the PI, the spending on the award to ensure it's appropriate and allowed, projected spending, invoicing, purchasing, sponsor reporting and sub awards.
Navy Liaison, Matthew Rau, Ph.D. (GWU): Engage NR&DE, NAVSEA and Naval Oceanography to coordinate research to ensure alignment with their priority. Identify mentors at Navy Commands to support high-school, undergraduate, and graduate students research projects and internships. Provides guidance to the Directors on priority decisions based on the impact of the science and its relevance to meeting the evolving NAVSEA S&T mission.
Industry Liaison, Santiago Solares, Ph.D. (GWU/CUA): Directs student placement with industry partners and manages the different efforts, such as undergrads internships, mentoring programs, etc.
Industry Liaison, Jenny Roberts (LMG): Directs student placement with industry partners and manages the different efforts, such as undergrads internships, mentoring programs, etc.
Outreach Coordinator, Megan Leftwich, Ph.D. (GWU): Directs student placement in NAVSEA Labs and between universities. Coordinates and manages the different efforts, such as undergrads internships, mentoring programs, etc. Manages education activities, including summer internships, summer schools, workshops, and outreach efforts.
Assessment Director, Saniya Leblanc, Ph.D. (GWU): Oversee and coordinate continuous direct and indirect assessment of the programs. Organize focus groups to refine the pathways to careers in the Naval Enterprise.
HBCU Recruitment & Assessment Coordinator, Dianne Gomilion (HU): Works with counterparts at area HBCUs to recruit students to the consortium. She will serve as the point of contact for the HBCU students and will be the liaison with with the Director and Co-director to address any issues that arise. .
Education Director, Sharon Squassoni, Ph.D. (GWU): Oversee implementation of new courses for the Naval Engineering minor at GW, as well as new Masters and certificate programs. He/she will also oversee the organization of short courses and workshop during the summer.