Remembering Sheri Pulis
Sheri served as Electronic Research Administration Programs and Business Analyst in the Office of Research at the University of California – Davis, a Cayuse customer. She was a dedicated, multi-talented coordinator who was essential to supporting research administrators in the Office of Research on a daily basis. Sheri worked with many of our staff on a regular basis until her passing in February 2019, a profound loss to everyone who knew her. We established this annual award as a way to honor her legacy and the significant contributions she made to the research community.
“Sheri was someone our team had an amazing relationship with,” Cayuse VP of Sales and Marketing Jason Porter said. In a video tribute, several Cayuse staffers shared the impact she had on them. “The word ‘WOW’ is the best way to describe how a lot of us felt about Sheri, how smart and strong, funny, and caring she was. I’m really glad I got to know her,” said Technical Support Specialist Annie Tessar. Sr. Professional Services Consultant Carrie Yakura added, “She was a gem. If Sheri were here, everybody would be happy and smiling, because that’s what she did best.”
We were grateful that Sheri’s mother Mary and sisters LaTrenda and Shannon were able to attend the ceremony. Their presence and infectious smiles made it especially meaningful. Also in attendance was Sheri’s coworker, mentor, and friend Cindy Kiel, Executive Associate Vice Chancellor at UC Davis, who presented the award. “I was so honored to know Sheri,” Cindy said, describing her as “outstanding, determined, dynamic, and passionate.”
The award
For this inaugural award, Cayuse employees provided nominations of research administrators at customer institutions who embody several of Sheri’s traits:
- Demonstrated service to the research community
- Significant contributions to their institution’s research program
- Collaborative, dedicated, and driven to deliver results
- Positive attitude and zest for life that lifts the spirit of others
The winner was selected from a number of nominations by a panel of Cayuse company leadership. Subsequent award determinations will rely on Cayuse customers’ nominations from their coworkers and colleagues.
Congrats to Teresa Adame
The first-ever Sheri Pulis Outstanding Service in Research Administration Award went to Teresa Adame. Teresa is the Associate Managing Director in the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso.
Sheri’s sisters LaTrenda and Shannon, mother Mary, winner Teresa Adame, Cindy Kiel of UC Davis, and Cayuse CEO Matt McLellan
Teresa led her OSP team through an implementation of Proposals and Sponsored Projects in 2018, as part of a larger effort to upgrade their systems and processes. She has served as a resource to other universities that use Cayuse in the region and has shared timely advice on software implementation and business process improvements.
In spring 2019, Teresa worked with Cayuse’s support team and Grants.gov to establish their new Grants.gov certificate for use in Proposals. In May 2019, Teresa and her OSP team submitted their first NIH R01 federal grant proposal in Proposals as a separate, unique institution in the TTU system. We congratulate Teresa for reaching this milestone and for all of her hard work leading up to that moment.
We’re excited to continue this tradition for many years to come: remembering Sheri’s amazing legacy and honoring excellence in research administration.
