Research & Economic Development
Staff

Zhanjiang (John) Liu, PhD
Derryberry Hall, Room 305
johnliu@tntech.edu
(931) 372-3897

Michael Aikens, Director of Center for Rural Innovation
Derryberry Hall, Room 304
maikens@tntech.edu
(931) 372-3306
- 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

Neal Hunt, Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
Derryberry Hall, Room 129
nhunt@tntech.edu
(931) 372-3202

Jill Dicey, Executive Assistant to the VP
Derryberry Hall, Room 305
jdicey@tntech.edu
(931) 372-3897
- Provides general administrative Research & Economic Development support
- Supports the Tennessee Tech Research Foundation Board
- Supports Faculty Research Award Committee
- Supports University Research Advisory Committee

Andrea Kruszka, Assistant Director, Center for Rural Innovation
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
- Provides pre-award budget development support

Lettie Collier, Office Manager, Center for Rural Innovation
Derryberry Hall, Room 304
lcollier@tntech.edu
(931) 372-3306

(Anna) Jill Debord, Senior Post-Award Specialist
Derryberry Hall, Room 155
adebord@tntech.edu
(931) 372-6756

Bethany Jones, Post-Award Coordinator
Derryberry Hall, Room 155
bjjones@tntech.edu
(931) 372-3901
- Provides bookkeeping assistance on funded projects

Rasma Motykowsk, Post-Award Specialist
Derryberry Hall, Room 155
rmotykowski@tntech.edu
(931) 372-3758

Charmian Leong, Contract Compliance Specialist
Derryberry Hall, Room 131
cleong@tntech.edu
(931) 372-3938
- Coordinates contract compliance, subawards, and non-monetary agreements

Brooke Roddy, Contract Compliance Specialist
Derryberry Hall, Room 131
broddy@tntech.edu
(931) 372-6587
- Coordinates contract compliance, subawards, and non-monetary agreements