Meet the team

Director — Sarah Polasky

Sarah has worked in research and research development for more than 15 years. She has experience leading research development and research advancement teams and working on a variety of local, state and federally funded research and evaluation projects. Sarah is a member of the National Organization of Research Development Professionals, the National Council of University Research Administrators, and the Arizona Educational Research Organization. She holds a master's degree and a doctorate in educational psychology with a concentration in lifespan developmental psychology from Arizona State University. She most recently served as executive director of the Research Opportunity Development and Advancement team at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University.
 

Proposal Development Lead — Devon Hill

Devon has over 12 years of experience in grant and proposal development, including large multi-institutional proposals. She holds a master’s degree in social sciences from University of Chicago and a bachelor’s in cultural anthropology from Mount Holyoke College. Prior to joining the Division of Research, she was the Senior Innovations and Partnerships Writer for Virginia Tech’s Center for Advancing Partnerships. Before Virginia Tech, Devon was the Tier 1 Research Initiative Writer for Oklahoma State University where she worked with the University’s priority research groups on federal research grants. With experience as a Lecturer of Cultural Anthropology, industry and higher education both in the U.S. and internationally, she brings a breadth of experience and perspectives to her work.

Proposal Development Lead — Julie Svetlik

Julie is a research development professional with over 12 years of experience working with strategic and large team grant proposals. Julie holds a master's degree in agriculture and resource economics from West Virginia University and a bachelor's degree in wildlife and fisheries sciences from Texas A&M University. Before accepting this position, she served for one year as senior research development officer with A&M's College of Education and 11 years as strategic grants coordinator for the A&M AgriLife Research agency. Julie brings experience and a proven track record of success with multiple sponsors, including NSF, Department of Energy/Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, DOD/Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research. She has subject matter expertise in energy, sustainable development, agriculture, natural resources and economics.
 

Proposal Illustrator — Samantha Bosland

Samantha is a science illustrator experienced in helping researchers develop the best visual communication strategies for their needs. She has worked with clients ranging from the University of Texas at Austin and Northwestern University to National Geographic and the Smithsonian Institution and previously worked at the Dallas Zoo as an exhibit graphic designer and illustrator. She received her bachelor's degree in neurobiology from UT Austin and a graduate certificate in science illustration from California State University, Monterey Bay. She is a Certified Interpretive Guide and a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators and the American Society of Botanical Artists.