Staff 

Jennifer Taylor, Ph.D., MBA, Vice President for Research
Derryberry Hall, Room 305
jennifertaylor@tntech.edu
(931) 372-3897

Michael Aikens, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Derryberry Hall
maikens@tntech.edu
(931) 372-3810

• Co-chairs Tech's grand challenge, Rural Reimagined
• Directs the Tennessee Center for Rural Innovation
• Helps guide economic development activities for the region, state of Tennessee, and the nation

Mary Kathryn Karafonda, Interim Director of Office of Research and Director of Research Systems 
Derryberry Hall
mkarafonda@tntech.edu 
(931) 372-3758

• Oversees the development of an on-campus electronic research system 
• Oversees the Office of Research

Jill Dicey, Administrative Associate
Derryberry Hall, Room 305 
jdicey@tntech.edu
(931) 372-3897 

• Provides general administrative Office of Research support
• Supports the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
• Supports the Intellectual Property Advisory Committee
• Supports the Tennessee Tech Research Foundation Board
• Supports the Caplenor Committee

Joe Driver, Pre-Award Specialist
Derryberry Hall, Room 128
joedriver@tntech.edu 
(931) 372-3901 

• Provides pre-award support including budget development
• Fields pre-award questions
• Prepares and uploads proposal packages

Amy Hill, Editor
Southwest Hall, Room 149 
amyhill@tntech.edu
(931) 372-3464 

• Provides proofreading/editorial support and submits proposals
• Provides graphic support
• Supports the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects

Andrea Kruszka, Rural Outreach Coordinator
Derryberry Hall, Room 304
akruszka@tntech.edu
(931) 372-3342 

• Manages daily operations and clients for the Tennessee Center for Rural Innovation
• Coordinates on-campus Eagle Works Innovation and Entrepreneurship activities

Mark Lynam, Senior Coordinator
Derryberry Hall, Room 128
mdlynam@tntech.edu 

(931) 372-3673 

• Communicates potential funding opportunities to appropriate faculty
• Facilitates/initiates the protection of intellectual property and technology transfers
• Coordinates award report submission and compliance review for budget adjustments
• Provides support for revisions, extensions, and policy/regulatory issues
• Provides assistance in CITI training 
• Performs Visual Compliance checks

Post-Award Specialist
Derryberry Hall, Room 432 
(931) 372-6756

• Provides bookkeeping assistance on funded projects

Contract Compliance Specialist
Derryberry Hall, Room 128
Please direct contract concerns to agreements@tntech.edu. 

• Coordinates contract compliance, subawards, and non-monetary agreements