Staff 

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

Francis Otuonye, Associate Vice President for Research
Derryberry Hall, Room 128 
fotuonye@tntech.edu
(931) 372-3374

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 Katherine Karafonda, Director of Research Systems 
Derryberry Hall
mkarafonda@tntech.edu 
(931) 372-3897

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

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

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 activations, contract compliance, and subawards
• Assist with sponsor forms and electronic reporting systems

Jamie Murdock, Grant Development Manager  
Derryberry Hall, Room 128 
jlmurdock@tntech.edu
(931) 372-6587 

• Reviews funding program solicitation to identify key issues
• Provides SPIN Global Suite training
• Reviews proposal sections relative to evaluation criteria
• Provides budget development assistance

Sandra Storie, Financial Associate
Derryberry Hall, Room 432 
sstorie@tntech.edu
(931) 372-6756

• Provides bookkeeping assistance on funded projects
• Supports University Research Advisory Committee