Established in 2010, Torguson & Associates is a woman-owned business specializing in research administration support for small businesses, non-profits and colleges and universities. Our consultants are competent, confident research administration professionals with expertise in all aspects of the grants lifecycle. We provide an incredible value to our clients by combining exceptional, efficient service with affordable pricing.
Kirsten has more than 20 years of research administration experience in all areas of the grants lifecycle. Kirsten has a Master of Science in Research Administration (MRA) from the University of Central Florida (UCF), and is a Certified Research Administrator (CRA). Kirsten taught grant writing courses in the Master of Research Administration program at UCF, and has held management positions in Offices of Grants & Contracts at several public and private universities. She is passionate about helping small businesses, non-profits and institutions of higher education find, prepare, submit and manage competitive, compliant proposals and awards, and she enjoys working with universities and colleges on business process improvements.
Megan has more than a decade of experience in research administration, including most recently serving as Executive Director of Research and IRB Coordinator at a private university in Texas. Megan received a Ph.D. in Neuroscience in 2007 from the University of Florida and completed two post-doctoral fellowships before beginning a career in research administration. Megan has a breadth of skills and experience including funding opportunity identification, proposal preparation and submission, post-award compliance, research ethics (including IRB and IACUC), policy development, and teaching and education.
Denise has worked in higher education with a focus on sponsored program administration and research compliance for more than 30 years. During this time she has provided leadership within a large state university system, and worked extensively with university clients on special projects and sponsored program office reviews. Her expertise includes broad knowledge of federal, state and local government regulations and policy/procedure review, revision and development. Denise has served as audit champion lead on sponsor agency audits, internal and external audits, including the annual federal A-133 single audit.
Anthony holds a Master of City and Regional Planning in Sustainability and Food Systems Planning from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry. In addition to his 10 years of experience in a comprehensive food systems agency in the non-profit sector, he has worked with a diverse portfolio of clients in his 7+ years of consulting. Anthony has extensive experience in grant writing and development, non-profit management, strategic planning, project management, evaluation, community health projects, urban planning, environmental studies, sustainable agriculture, and urban design. Anthony has raised over $1 million for his clients annually.
Stacey is a seasoned Sr. Grants and Contracts Administrator who collaborates with researchers and research offices to facilitate sponsored research, clinical trials, proposal development, and post award analysis and reconciliation. He has worked at several leading research institutions over the past 20 years and has extensive training in pre- and post-award grants management at the department, shared service center, and central office levels. Stacey holds a B.S. degree in Psychology from Valdosta State University.
Vicky has over 10 years of experience as a specialist with federal grants for not-for-profit International NGOs and higher education institutions. She has an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Global, formerly Brandman University. Vicky specializes in budget creation and post-award grant management processes.
Amanda has nearly 20 years of experience in non-profit organizations including over 10 years as a grants administrator in a large research university. She has extensive experience in pre- and post-award administration of federal, state, city, and private grants and contracts for both research and public service projects. In addition to ensuring compliant, on-time submissions of grant proposals and reports, she enjoys providing training, project management, knowledge management, and process improvement support. Amanda has an MS in Information and Knowledge Strategy from Columbia University and a BA in Asian Studies from Colgate University.
Gail has more than 20 years of research administration experience in pre- and post-award with an NCI-designated Cancer Center. As such, her experience is primarily with competing and non-competing NIH-sponsored grants. She has experience creating and managing budgets for foundation grants and has conducted HR audits for non-profits. Gail has an MBA from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, with an undergraduate degree from California State University, Los Angeles, in Business Administration. She taught Organizational Development at the graduate level for seven years, and enjoys combining her interests in people, operations and culture when assisting non-profits and universities with their training and coaching needs.
Christine is a recognized expert with 25 years experience in research administration. She spent 17 years at Gallaudet University, the only university designed specifically for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, culminating her time there as Assistant Dean for Research. Most recently, Christine has been an independent consultant and active with the National Council of University Research Administration (NCURA) by serving on the Editorial Board of Research Management Review. She received a Ph.D. in Education in 2008 at American University in Washington, D.C. As a veteran research administrator, she specializes in the assessment of the grantsmanship environment at primarily undergraduate institutions and advising senior leaders on opportunities to best support the complete grants life cycle. Her expertise in proposal development, multiple institution grant proposals, non-financial compliance, and university policy development have prepared institutions for increases in their externally funded research and training grants.
Annie has more than 10 years of experience as a specialist in higher education and federal grants and contracts. Annie has a Master of Science in Research Administration from the University of Central Florida, and a Master of Arts in Organizational Learning and Performance. She is also a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) and Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA). She enjoys leveraging her experience in the federal space to enhance the proposal review process to produce more responsive and compliant proposals for her stakeholders.
Pauline has more than 20 years of research and grants experience in higher education. She has served in various research-related roles, including Educational Research Consultant at the University of Birmingham School of Medicine, Executive Director of Research for Lincoln Memorial University, and faculty research instructor for WGU’s Graduate School of Education. Her prior work involved assisting investigators in scholarly work and research, including program planning, grant writing, compliance, and human subjects protection. In her faculty role, she taught research methodology and guided graduate students through their culminating project’s research process. Pauline holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology, a master’s in education, and a Doctor of Leadership in education.
Anita has 15 years of experience as a research administrator, specializing in pre-award. She has worked extensively in all aspects of the grant application process, from locating funding opportunities to finalizing applications for submission. She also specializes in copy editing and proofing of research proposals and scientific manuscripts for journal submission. Anita has extensive experience in assuring compliance with the NIH Public Access Policy. Anita’s knowledge and expertise in the grant application and funding process, along with a well written scientific proposal, lends itself to a successful outcome!
Lisa has almost 40 years of experience as a communications professional. She is a national trainer and grant writing instructor with a specialty in K-12 education, specialized youth programs including STEM/STEAM camps, workforce development programs, and program development. Lisa conducts workshops and seminars on grant readiness and provides individualized coaching to nonprofits seeking funds for capacity building and program expansion. As a grant writer, she has secured funds for a wide range of programs including those serving individuals with developmental disabilities, K-12 education, STEM programs, workforce development programs, clean energy, and nonprofit management.
Esther has over 20 years of experience in research administration and management with not-for-profit, International NGO, and higher education institutions. Her doctorate and master’s degrees in Public Health are from Walden University. She currently teaches program evaluation, research design, and administration courses in the Master of Public Health program at Southern New Hampshire University and West Coast University. Esther has held management positions in Offices of Research Administration at several local and international development and nonprofit organizations and foundations, including the United Nations and USAID.
Ginger has both pre- and post-award experience at an institution of higher education. Over the past 30 years, she has served in various capacities ranging from department level proposal submission and post-award activities for sponsored projects, to central level experience as an accountant responsible for the oversight and invoicing of external funding received from federal agencies and other colleges and universities. Ginger is experienced in award and contract negotiation and the management of subawards and subrecipient monitoring. Ginger has a Master of Science in Research Administration from the University of Central Florida. She has presented at NCURA Regional meetings and has been a full member of SRAI since 2012 where she served as Secretary and President of the Alabama/Mississippi Chapter. Currently, she is active with the Federal Demonstration Partnership’s subrecipient monitoring working group.
Tracy has over 20 years of department research administration experience at the largest research unit at an R1 university. She was the university’s expert in working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). She is a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) and holds an MBA and a BS in Mathematics from the University of Oklahoma. She has shared her knowledge by teaching through the Society of Research Administrators (SRA) Department Administrator Intensive course.
Heather has over 20 years of experience working for R1 universities, non-profits, and state government. She has led sponsored projects offices by developing policies and procedures, creating workload metrics, training, and development of research administrator staff, and facilitating cross functional collaboration. Heather is a seasoned contract negotiator and a highly rated presenter on the topic. Her experience with process review, analysis, and strategic oversight can support successful project launch, development, and ongoing support.