Our Team
The SPA team oversees sponsored programs pre-award administrative requirements from proposal submission through award acceptance and setup, including those related to outgoing sub-awards, and post-award administrative tasks, including prior approvals, progress reports, non-competitive continuation, carryover of non-obligated balances, final invention requirements, and subrecipient monitoring.
Click on a given image below to read that team member's bio or obtain their email address.
Jennifer Kennedy
Director, Sponsored Programs Administration
More About Me
Jennifer Kennedy
Director, Sponsored Programs Administration
Bio
Jennifer leads a dynamic team with a focus on sponsored programs (SP) pre-award support and oversight. Her expertise spans the entire spectrum of SP management, from the meticulous review and endorsement of funding proposals to award negotiation and compliance with federal and sponsor guidelines. With a distinguished leadership history at Ivy League and top-funded R1 research institutions, Jennifer brings a wealth of experience to her role. Based in New England with her family, she not only excels professionally but also finds joy in coaching youth soccer, gardening, sailing, and fostering an appreciation for nature and outdoor activities with her German Shepherd.
Email: jennifer.kennedy@bmc.org
Christopher Garcia
Associate Director
More About Me
Christopher Garcia
Associate Director
Bio
Christopher García is committed to improving processes, establishing best practices, and supporting the grants and contracts administration unit of BMC’s Research Operations, which he led from July through December, 2023. An alumnus of the last graduating class of the College of Liberal Arts at Boston University, he earned his master’s degree in higher education and focused on governance and administration, counseling and student affairs. A clichéd “accidental research administrator,” he has spent the last 20 years serving tours in Boston’s major teaching and research hospitals and is both subject matter expert and dilettante on almost all things related to research management.
Email: christopher.garcia@bmc.org
Gina Nadler
Manager
More About Me
Gina Nadler
Manager
Bio
Gina has been an integral member of BMC Research Operations since December, 2019. She started her career at BMC in 2014 as a Regulatory Coordinator in Infectious Diseases and then spent a few years working with the Office of Human Research Affairs at BU School of Medicine as a Human Research Quality Manager. Gina holds a BS in Biology and Environmental Science from Northeastern University and an MBA from Boston University. In her free time, Gina enjoys spending time with her family, reading, hiking, and knitting.
Email: gina.nadler@bmc.org
Nicole Buchenholz
Senior Grants & Contracts Administrator
More About Me
Nicole Buchenholz
Senior Grants & Contracts Administrator
Bio
Based in New York, her hometown, Nicole has been in the research field for over 20 years, starting with DFCI in Boston. A former newspaper photographer she now enjoys traveling with friends and documenting their trips, most recently to London, Italy and France.
Email: Nicole.Buchenholz@bmc.org
Maria Chitsaz
Senior Grants & Contracts Administrator
More About Me
Maria Chitsaz
Senior Grants & Contracts Administrator
Bio
Maria has been at BMC since October of 2022. Prior to that, she worked in a similar capacity at a large healthcare and research organization in Oregon and also volunteered as a workplace conflict mediator. In a past career life, she taught English to Speakers of Other Languages. She enjoys travel, cross-cultural endeavors, and time in nature, especially if it involves being on the water or birding.
Email: maria.chitsaz@bmc.org
Debra Melnikas
Senior Grants & Contracts Administrator
More About Me
Debra Melnikas
Senior Grants & Contracts Administrator
Bio
I joined BMC just weeks before the pandemic shut everything down. Prior to BMC I provided program administration for the Center for Violence Prevention and Recovery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. I enjoy working in SPA because I am constantly learning and every day is different. In my free time, I enjoy traveling and attending musical events. Most recent trips include London and San Francisco.
Email: debra.melnikas@bmc.org
Lula Mwamba
Award Administrator
More About Me
Lula Mwamba
Award Administrator
Bio
I have been at BMC since May, 2022. Prior to BMC, I worked as a grant administrator at McLean Hospital. I am able to work well both in a team environment as well as using own initiative. I am able to work well under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines. I enjoy traveling and shopping in my free time. I speak five languages.
Email: lula.mwamba@bmc.org
Sarah Pearce
Grants & Contract Administrator
More About Me
Sarah Pearce
Grants & Contract Administrator
Bio
Sarah joined Research Operations in October, 2022, after several years administering U.S. Department of Agriculture grants. Healthcare research and service programs offer a new and exciting challenge. In her free time, Sarah enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and teaching yoga.
Email: sarah.pearce@bmc.org
Mitzi Tanaka
Senior Grants & Contracts Administrator
More About Me
Mitzi Tanaka
Senior Grants & Contracts Administrator
Bio
I’m very excited to have joined the Research Operations team! I have nearly 20 years in pre- and post-grants administration expertise. My most recent position was at the Jackson Laboratory, where I was an IT Business Analyst II working as lead for the InfoEd Proposal Development, Proposal Tracking, and Conflict of Interest modules. Prior to the Jackson Laboratory, as a Director of Research Support at the University of Miami, I worked in the departments of Neurology; Microbiology and Immunology; Public Health Sciences; and Surgery. I have two dogs, Cali, a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier with hot pink hair (who will make the occasional zoom call) and Kenji, a Miniature Schnauzer.
Email: mitzi.tanaka@bmc.org