Research and Innovation Employee of the Month — February, 2026
Donna Thibault, STAR Grant & Contract Administrator II, Sponsored Programs Administration
Donna is recognized as a dedicated, knowledgeable, and reliable employee. She is exceptionally committed to grant and financial management, meticulous and organized, deeply knowledgeable of UNH systems (including purchasing and Workday), and an outstanding colleague and mentor whose patience and responsiveness make it possible for others to function effectively in their roles. Beyond her expertise, Donna brings warmth, professionalism, and a sharp sense of humor that makes even the most tedious aspects of grant management more enjoyable and is genuinely appreciated by PIs and colleagues alike. Donna was born for this role, has been indispensable to her Team, and unquestionably deserving of Employee of the Month recognition.
Research and Innovation Employee of the Month — January, 2026
Lisa Scigliano, Proposal Development and Submission Manager, Sponsored Programs Administration
We proudly recognize Lisa Scigliano for her outstanding dedication, resilience, and leadership of the proposal development group. Her steady guidance, commitment to excellence, and ability to lead through challenges have made a meaningful impact on the team’s success. She consistently sets a high standard and inspires those around her to deliver their best.
Research and Innovation Employee of the Month — December, 2025 Heather Gordon, Business Manager, UNHInnovation Heather Gordon's efforts were paramount to winning and managing the two grants that UNHI won in the last year including: FOSTER (SBA SBIR/STTR proposal support to small businesses); and, I-Corps (NSF research translation and entrepreneurial training). Despite being largely dedicated to grants, Heather continually goes above and beyond and has most recently endeavored to get a handle on UNHI finances after support was removed in the most recent staff reductions. This has required a tremendous amount of time and energy and a steep learning curve. Heather also represents the heart of our office and her kindness, humor, and collaborative spirit bring our team together, most happily through cupcake birthdays she organizes! We all feel so fortunate to have her on our team. |
Research and Innovation Employee of the Month — November, 2025 John Wilderman, Manager, Analytical Instrumentation Engineer, University Instrumentation Center John is being honored in recognition of his exceptional dedication and problem-solving skills. During October, John came in during the middle of the night to remove a student’s sample from the X-Ray photoelectron spectrometer only to find a crashed and damaged sample loader which he was able to repair himself. Additionally, he successfully diagnosed and repaired two workstation computers associated with the X-ray microscope operation and data processing. These high-cost workstations were previously deemed non-repairable by Zeiss and John was able to restore both to as-built conditions, saving the team a significant amount of money and associated downtime. His commitment and technical expertise have made a lasting positive impact on the UIC and our research community this month. |
Nominations for Research and Innovation employee of the month are ongoing; please view award criteria and nominate at any time, here.
