Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

Megan Bair-Merritt, MD, is responsible for developing and implementing the research-related strategic vision and providing oversight of research governance across the institution. She is also a professor of pediatrics and a leader of the Boston University Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

Before being appointed to this role in 2023, Dr. Bair-Merritt, who is internationally known for her research on family violence, served as acting division chief of Academic General Pediatrics at BMC; chair of the Women’s Leadership Advisory Council for the Boston University Medical Group’s Office of Equity, Vitality and Inclusion; and executive director of the BMC Department of Pediatrics’ Center for the Urban Child and Healthy Family.  She received her Doctor of Medicine from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and her Master of Science in clinical epidemiology from University of Pennsylvania.

Watch Dr. Megan Bair-Merritt discuss her goals in leading BMC's world-class research:

Doug joined BMC’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs team as the Director of Support Services in early 2024. He plays an integral role in the evolution of BMC’s research program, focusing on research cores and shared services. Doug provides strategic input, operational oversight, and fiscal responsibility for BMC's research cores and platforms, including research shared services.

Doug brings a unique perspective and deep understanding from his work in the Department of Pediatrics since 2003. He joined BMC in 2003 as the Financial Administrator in Pediatrics and progressively advanced to more responsible positions, including Director of Research and Extramurally Sponsored Programs; he held the position of Senior Research Director before joining the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

Email:  douglas.rockwell@bmc.org 

Johanna Chesley is honored to serve BMC clinical research, its patients and communities, and the future of healthcare.

Johanna and her team’s primary responsibilities include:

• Building industry and Principal Investigator partnerships around clinical trial financial activities
• Building clinical research operations infrastructure with senior leaders at BMCHS and Boston University
• Cultivating an environment that includes all voices in discovery and medical advancements

Johanna is skilled at complex process analysis and derives great satisfaction from collaborating with others to develop and implement solutions. She is a proud mama of three girls and enjoys exploring the great outdoors, throughout all four seasons, with her husband and children. These days, skiing, tennis, and coaching soccer are Johanna’s preferred ways to build strength, remain centered, and engage with her community.

Email: Johanna.Chesley@bmc.org
Phone: 617.414.2861

Jennifer Fleming, MBA, was drawn to BMC’s clinicians and researchers’ commitment to patients, health equity, and inclusive research more than 20 years ago. Since then, she has built a diverse, high-impact Strategic Research Growth (SRG) team. A nimble leader and skilled strategist with deep institutional knowledge, Jennifer has propelled SRG to excel despite rapidly shifting healthcare, financial, organizational, and sponsor landscapes.

In 2024, Jennifer guided SRG through a smooth transition from Development into Research and Sponsored Programs, where the team’s research strategy and development efforts continue to advance BMCHS’s research mission. She welcomed the Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) team into her group in 2025. Together, SRG and SPA deliver an integrated continuum of research strategy and development, and central pre-award and nonfinancial post-award services to the grant-seeking community.

Jennifer is keenly focused on expanding research funding, responding to the research community’s evolving needs, and fostering collaborations between BMCHS and Boston University to amplify collective impact. She earned her MBA at Boston University and her BA at Georgetown University.

Tyler leads the SPF team and is responsible for the financial management of BMC’s sponsored programs. His duties also include leading the single audit for the institution and negotiating BMC’s indirect and fringe rates with the federal government. Tyler has been with BMC since April, 2016.

Email: tyler.flack@bmc.org 
Phone: 617-414-2864

Anita Morris, MSN, FNP-BC, is the Executive Director of the TEAM UP Scaling and Sustainability Center and the Director of Research Strategy and Process Improvement for Boston Medical Center. She is a certified family nurse practitioner whose locus of clinical practice has always been in the Safety Net, working in community health centers with historically marginalized populations. In 2001, Ms. Morris joined East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, where she led the development of new approaches to clinical care, including patient-centered practice design, chronic disease management, the Senior Care Options program, and a patient flow redesign of the on-site Satellite Emergency Facility, eventually serving as the health center’s Chief Operating Officer. In 2016, Ms. Morris joined TEAM UP as Director of Practice Transformation, guiding the development and implementation of a comprehensive integrated behavioral health care model within pediatric primary care settings that has demonstrated positive impact on children and families. As Director of Research Strategy and Process Improvement, Ms. Morris supports the growing research portfolio across the health system. Prior to coming to Boston Medical Center, Ms. Morris provided consulting services on various topics, including clinical model design, healthcare payment reform, and workforce development.

Rhonda joined BMC in October, 2023, as executive assistant to the vice president & chief scientific officer, Office of Research, and the executive director, Research Operations. Before joining BMC, she held the position of director, medical staff office, and has 25-plus years as an executive assistant. She look forward to many years at BMC.

Email: rhonda.champagnie@bmc.org