Tennessee STEM Education Center

Research Services




















WHAT IS RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGEMENT?

Grant Manager

Focuses on the administrative and financial side of securing and managing external funds

Project Manager/ PI

Focuses on executing the scientific and technical work including logistics, data collection, and dissemination

Our Mission

To empower Principal Investigators and their teams by providing tailored services that streamline processes

WHAT WE OFFER

Pre-Award Support

Collaboration Support

Project Management

Post-Award Assistance


MEET THE TEAM

Aspen Malone joined the Tennessee STEM Education Center (TSEC) back in 2024 as Research Project Manager. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in Health Humanities from Abilene Christian University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at MTSU.

Project Management Services




Danielle Davila joined the Tennessee STEM Education Center (TSEC) in February of 2026 as an Assistant Project Manager for STEM grants. She is a Mom of 3 girls, and has worked as a part time Rutherford County Public school substitute teacher since 2019. 


Alex Ayala joined the Tennessee STEM Education Center (TSEC) in January 2026 as an Assistant Project Manager. He is currently in his final semester of the Mechatronics Engineering program at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and will graduate in May 2026. After completing his undergraduate degree, he will continue at MTSU to pursue a Master of Business Administration.

CURRENT PROJECTS


Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
PI and Co-PIs: Sarah Bleiler-Baxter, Grant Gardner, Greg Ruston
Years Active: 2024-2029
Award Amount: $1.2 million
Award Number: 2337168

Funding Agency: US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
PI and Co-PIs: Kevin Ragland, Chaney Mosley
Years Active: 2023-2026
Award Amount: $500,000
Award Number: 1030537

Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
PI and Co-PIs: Liz Barnes
Years Active: 2023-2028
Award Amount: $1.04 million
Award Number: 2238174

Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
PI and Co-PIs: Greg Rushton, Grant Clayton, Patrick McGuire, Paige Evans, Karen McIntush
Years Active: 2025-2028
Award Amount: $1.2 million
Award Number: 2448306

Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
PI and Co-PIs: Greg Rushton, Keith Gamble, Ryan Seith Jones, Kevin Krahenbuhl, Kate Miller
Years Active: 2024-2029
Award Amount: $3 million
Award Number: 2345138

Funding Agency: US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
PI and Co-PIs: Chaney Mosley, Kevin Ragland
Years Active: 2023-2028
Award Amount: $5 million
Award Number: 1030739

Funding Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
PI and Co-PIs: Deborah Lee, Kay Murphree
Years Active: 2024-2029
Award Amount: $875,000
Award Number: U1QHP53068

PAST PROJECTS

Funding Agency: National Science Foundation
PI and Co-PIs: Ryan Seth Jones
Years Active: 2020-2026
Award Amount: $700,000
Award Number: 1942770 



IMPACT IN ACTION

“Aspen has been invaluable in ensuring the success of our team…keeps our team accountable and focused. Her optimism and calm presence create a positive atmosphere...our project would not be nearly as productive or enjoyable without her expertise and presence.”


– Dr. Sarah Bleiler-Baxter,
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
College of Basic and Applied Sciences

“…critical organizational and administrative support.”

–Dr. Ryan Seth Jones,
Associate Professor
College of Education

“…anticipating what is needed to keep us moving forward.”



– Dr. Keith Gamble,
Weatherford Chair of Finance
Department of Economics and Finance
Jones College of Business

“…to reduce my overall workload, offload many of the managerial tasks…innovate, improve it.”


– Dr. Grant Gardner,
Professor
Department of Biology
College of Basic and Applied Sciences