How can funders strengthen the pipeline from initial outreach to successful application and continued participation in the field? This session will explore strategies for engaging new applicants, supporting proposal development, and fostering long-term participation by helping researchers build competitive proposals, communicate their work effectively to diverse audiences, and identify pathways for continued success.

Speakers:

• Tiana Medley, PhD, PMP – Program Officer, Additional Ventures
  Tiana Medley, PhD, PMP, is a Program Officer at Additional Ventures, where she supports the strategy and operations of scientific research programs and works to help investigators successfully navigate the funding process. Her work spans programs supporting researchers at multiple career stages, from mentored postdoctoral researchers to established independent investigators. She is particularly interested in how funders can reduce barriers to research progress, provide meaningful support beyond the grant itself, and create opportunities that help investigators build sustainable careers and remain engaged in the field.Medley received her Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, where her research focused on protein engineering and cancer therapeutics. Prior to joining Additional Ventures, she worked at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

• Kristen Mueller, PhD – Chief Science Officer, Health Resources in Action
  Kristen Mueller leads and collaborates with the biomedical grantmaking team at Health Resources in Action, an NNPHI member public health institute, to spearhead and maintain their biomedical research award program services and enhance program impact. She has extensive experience in non-profit grantmaking, having previously directed grants programs most recently at the Arthritis Foundation and at the Melanoma Research Alliance. She also spent eight years as a Senior Editor at the Journal Science. Mueller received her B.A. in biology from Carleton College and her Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Minnesota. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in immunology at the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health.
  

• Jessa Alexander, MPH – Senior Account Executive & Grant Strategist, Stellate Communications
  Jessa Alexander, MPH, is a science communicator and program strategist with 10 years of experience in academic research and project management. She helps clients translate complex concepts into accessible terms, develop long-term strategic plans, and craft compelling grant proposals to fund their work. She brings a passion for designing resilient programs and amplifying the impact of scientific findings for public benefit.
  

Moderator:

• Michelle Heritage – Executive Director, American Brain Foundation