Raysa Tapia

Strategic research administration leader with more than 15 years of progressive experience supporting sponsored research at premier academic research institutions, medical centers, and municipal government. Expertise spans preaward administration, proposal development, award negotiation, sponsor compliance, research operations, policy development, faculty advising, and cross-functional leadership. Recognized for taking initiative beyond assigned responsibilities by developing onboarding programs, standard operating procedures, training resources, and process improvements that strengthen institutional research administration.

Senior Grants Officer - WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

(2023-02)

• Provide strategic leadership for sponsored research administration while advising investigators, research administrators, and institutional leadership.
• Lead review and submission of complex federal, foundation, industry, and state-sponsored proposals.
• Interpret NIH, NSF, and other sponsor regulations to ensure compliant proposal development and award administration.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for Cayuse, supporting implementation, optimization, testing, and continuous improvement.
• Voluntarily developed onboarding materials, standard operating procedures, training resources, and operational guidance to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Design and deliver onboarding and training for research administrators, and laboratory personnel.
• Review budgets, effort commitments, subrecipient documentation, and institutional compliance requirements.
• Negotiate award terms and identify institutional risk while protecting organizational interests.
• Collaborate with Finance, Legal, HR, Compliance, IT, and executive leadership to resolve complex sponsored research issues.
• Monitor sponsor policy changes and communicate regulatory updates to investigators and staff.
• Mentor colleagues and promote continuous process improvement through workflow enhancements.

Grants Officer - WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

(2021-08 - 2023-02)

• Reviewed and submitted federal, state, foundation, and industry-sponsored proposals.
• Advised investigators on proposal preparation, sponsor guidelines, budgets, and institutional requirements.
• Coordinated proposal submissions using Cayuse and institutional research administration systems.
• Served as liaison between investigators, sponsors, and institutional administrative offices.
• Ensured proposals met sponsor deadlines and compliance requirements.

Grants Administrator & Operations Manager - CITY OF BOSTON

(2020-03 - 2021-08)

• Managed competitive grant programs supporting affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space.
• Redesigned workflows that improved grant processing efficiency and tracking.
• Ensured compliance with funding requirements and coordinated with multiple stakeholders.

Contract Administrator - MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

(2018-05 - 2020-03)

• Managed sponsored projects from proposal through award closeout.
• Negotiated research agreements and advised faculty on budgets, cost sharing, and compliance.

Research Administrator - NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

(2017-01 - 2018-05)

• Coordinated proposal development, budget preparation, and sponsor submissions.
• Served as primary research administration contact for faculty.

Grants Administrator (Temporary) - BRIGHAM & WOMEN'S HOSPITAL

(2015-11 - 2016-07)

• Managed multimillion-dollar sponsored research portfolios.
• Performed financial monitoring and grant reporting.

Director of Community Outreach - BOSTON UNIVERSITY

(2009-06 - 2013-03)

• Directed community outreach and strategic partnerships.
• Developed technical communications and supported institutional fundraising.

Master of Science - Urban Affairs - Boston University

Graduate Certificate - Urban Policy & Planning - Boston University

Bachelor of Arts - English Literature - Boston University