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Dr. Nara Parameswaran, BVSc, MS, PhD

Dr. Nara Parameswaran, BVSc, MS, PhD, is the Senior Associate Dean for Research in the College of Human Medicine and a professor in the Department of Physiology. Dr. Parameswaran's academic journey began with veterinary medicine training in India, followed by a master’s degree in veterinary physiology and pharmacology from The Ohio State University. He further advanced his education by earning a PhD in physiology from Michigan State University. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at Kimmel Cancer Center (Thomas Jefferson University), Dr. Parameswaran joined MSU as an assistant professor in the tenure stream within the Department of Physiology, eventually achieving the rank of full professor.

His research program is dedicated to understanding the mechanisms of innate immunity, inflammation, and disease, with a focus on identifying potential therapeutic targets. Notably, his recent work investigates the impact of gut microbiota and the intestinal barrier on the immune system and bone within the context of disease processes. Dr. Parameswaran's research has garnered support from various federal and other agencies, leading to a highly productive lab and numerous peer-reviewed publications, books, and book chapters (view PubMed link to his publications). He also serves as an associate editor and reviewer for several journals, as well as participating in national and international grant review panels, including the NIH. Beyond the research realm, Dr. Parameswaran is actively engaged in education, providing extensive classroom teaching and mentorship for both graduate and undergraduate students in his lab. Recognized for his outstanding contributions, Dr. Parameswaran has received numerous awards and honors, including the College of Human Medicine Distinguished Faculty award in 2018.

In addition to his research and teaching roles, Dr. Parameswaran has served in various leadership capacities within the department, college, and university. Notably, he served as the associate chair of the Department of Physiology from 2016-2021, as well as the undergraduate program director from 2018-2020. In the College of Human Medicine, his leadership extended to chairing the reappointment, promotion, and tenure committee for five years, followed by serving as the associate dean for faculty affairs and staff administration from 2020 to 2023. During this period, he also served as the co-chair for the Council of Faculty Affairs Deans across MSU for two years. Importantly, Dr. Parameswaran was selected as a fellow for the Big Ten Academic Alliance Leadership program in the 22-23 cohort, a highly competitive leadership program across Big Ten universities.

Theresa Couch joined MSU in 2015 in the Office of Sponsored Programs and transitioned to HCRS in December 2018. She previously held positions at nonprofit organizations and the University of Chicago. Theresa’s professional experience is wide ranging including proposal preparation and submission, program reporting, financial management, and nonprofit development.

Theresa earned her B.A. in Science, Technology & Society from Butler University and holds the Board Leadership Certificate from the University of Chicago Graham School. Theresa was the recipient of the SRAI Future of the Field award and SPA Unit Administrator Spotlight award in 2021.

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Teresa joined the Health Colleges Research Office in 2016 as a research administrator assisting faculty and staff in pre-award grant submission and reporting, and is available to assist departmental administrators and faculty on post-award/compliance issues.

Throughout her extensive career at MSU, Teresa has directed other college pre-award offices and assisted with unit/project setups and process development.  She has coordinated research activities from several federal agencies (National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Department of Education, etc.).  Teresa has worked extensively with public/private foundations and industrial contracts, proposals and awards.  She has provided project management and guidance for new setups, post award management, conducted faculty and staff workshops/training sessions, assisted with the development of large multi-disciplinary proposals/projects and assisted with negotiations related to cost share and overhead distribution.  She has served on many University committees and presents at local and national trainings/conferences.

A true Spartan at heart, Teresa has earned two degrees from Michigan State University; a Bachelor of Science in Physical Science-Secondary Education/Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education and Technology.

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Jourden began her career in research in 2014 as a Clinical Research Coordinator and joined MSU in 2015 with the Clinical & Translational Sciences Institute (CSTI) department. She has experience with both federal, industry-funded and PI-initiated clinical trials performing all necessary tasks from study start-up and close out, regulatory duties, subject related services, coordination and administration. Additionally, Jourden assisted with post award management. She joined HCRS in January 2020 with a primary focus on pre-award tasks. Jourden has experience with multiple funding agency policies including NIH, CDC, DoD, and numerous foundations. Jourden maintains the Essentials of Research Administration certification, is a member of the SPROUT committee and is a recent recipient of the SRAI Future of the Field award.

Jourden earned her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Healthcare Services and a Graduate Certificate in the Specialty Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse from Western Michigan University.

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Morgan joined the Health Colleges Research Services office in 2023 as a Research Administrator Assistant focusing on pre-award grant submissions. She previously held an office position at Michigan Technological university and has expereince in research. She brings her love of knowledge and science to help faculty fund their research. She graduated from Michigan Technological University with a B.S. in Anthropology and Psychology. She continued her education, graduating with a master's in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in May of 2021.

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Cathy began her career in research in 2001 as a Research Coordinator at Henry Ford Health System in the Sleep Disorders and Research Center. She later transitioned to the pre-award team in the central research department and after five years she managed the Gastroenterology and Hepatology research clinical trial department. She also worked managing a team of research administrators in Public Health Sciences overseeing grant funding both pre-award and post-award management. She joined the MSU HCRS in March 2022. 

Cathy holds dual Bachelor’s degrees from Wayne State University as well as a Master of Health Service Administration degree from Central Michigan University.

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Stephanie joined the HCRS team in February of 2024. Stephanie graduated from Central Michigan University with bachelor’s degrees in Accounting & Corporate Finance where she earned her CPA and CMA. After graduation, she worked in corporate public accounting before joining MSU's Contract and Grant Administration office in May of 2011. Since then, Stephanie has earned her CRA certification and has had many opportunities to cross train in various groups, including the Office of Sponsored Programs and Financial Analysis. In her spare time, Stephanie fosters kittens for Karma Kat Café in Mount Pleasant.

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Ryan joined the Health Colleges Research Services office in 2021 as a Research Administrator Assistant focusing on pre-award grant submissions.

He has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry with his duties ranging from project implementation/management to conducting training seminars and becoming a certified financial counselor.

A lifelong Spartan, Ryan earned his BA in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences here at Michigan State University.

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Lu Liu has a decade of Research Administration experience at both MIT and MSU.  She has prepared grant proposals for nearly every Federal agency and countless non-federal sponsors. 

Lu joined HCRS with a unique background in Communications and Accounting.  She earned her B.A. in Radio and Television editing and directing in China.  She then wrote, produced and hosted a morning news radio show for five years before coming to the US.  Here, she earned her M.S. in Accounting from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. 

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Lisa joined the Health Colleges Research Services Team in 2022 as a Research Administrator Assistant on the post-award team. Prior to joining HCRS, Lisa was an Administrative Assistant in Intercollegiate Athletics, Education Abroad, the Department of Mathematics and the Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic at MSU. Lisa has a tremendous amount of experience in accounting and travel at MSU.

Prior to working at MSU Lisa worked in private vocational rehabilitation, interactive video and occupational therapy. Lisa attended Lansing Community College in Business Administration. Lisa enjoys camping, road trips, and making greeting cards in her spare time.

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Julie Robinson serves as Research Administrator on the post-award side of the Health Colleges Research Services Team.

She has worked with MSU since 2013; with experience reconciling grant accounts in the Department of Integrative Biology, assisting with proposal triage for the Division of Engineering Research, and observing research compliance in action while under the Office of Regulatory Affairs. Julie currently holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Lansing Community College and maintains MSU’s Essentials of Research Administration certification.

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Michelle joined the Health Colleges Research Services team in 2021 where her focus is primarily on pre-award grant submissions.

Prior to joining MSU, Michelle worked for six years with the Michigan Department of Treasury. During that time, she held various roles within the Tax Compliance and Tax Policy Bureaus. Michelle served as the Security and IT liaison for multiple departments. She was responsible for employee training and regularly contributed to process improvement initiatives.

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Melissa joined HCRS-Post Award as a Research Administrator I. She returns to MSU after working for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. Melissa joined MSU in 2017, working in the Controller’s Office. In 2021, she began her career in research when transitioning to the Department of Psychiatry as a Research Administrator I. She currently holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration - Paralegal from Lansing Community College. Melissa is an avid reader and sewist who enjoys spending time with her granddaughter, refinishing furniture, and wearing shorts and sandals most of the year in sunny Florida.

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Laura joined the Health Colleges Research Services Team in 2022. Prior to joining the team, she was an accountant for Central and Preventative Maintenance and University Apartments. Laura graduated with a B.A. in business management with a minor in public relations from Asbury University.

Laura has extensive office management and accounting experience from a wide variety of disciplines, ranging from healthcare offices to nonprofit organizations. When she's not at work, she's working on her home bakery business.

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