Barb Rice receives U-M Distinguished Research Administrator Award

“If you want to have something done right when it comes to finances, operations, administration, coordination, give it to Barb Rice!” stated Schlumberger Professor of Engineering and Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering Khalil Najafi.

For her sustained excellence throughout her career at U-M, Barb Rice, Senior Research Administrator for the Solid-State Electronics Laboratory (SSEL), the NSF Center for Wireless Integrated Microsystems (WIMS), the National Nanofabrication Infrastructure Network (NNIN) and the Lurie Nanofabrication Facility (LNF), has been selected to receive a 2009 Distinguished Research Administrator Award from the Office of the Vice President for Research.

Barb joined the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) in 1994. She manages a truly astonishing number of financial accounts, as well as a myriad of other responsibilities including students and staff. In just the past 5 years, she managed 2 facility moves of the WIMS Center and oversaw the financial aspects of the new LNF facility, which has recently been brought on-line.

In addition to her primary responsibilities, she has offered her service and expertise on numerous University and national teams and committees, including the Research Administrators Network (RAN) Planning Committee, the Industrial Sponsors Training Program Pilot Team, the Office of Contract Administration Task Team, and the NSF Administrative Directors Consultancy Team, among other committees.

Without exception, those who work with Ms. Rice appreciate her knowledge, cheerfulness, helpfulness, and attention to detail.

The Distinguished Research Administrator Award honors individuals from any unit at the university who have demonstrated distinguished service exemplifying the goals of professional research administration.

Barb will be honored with the Distinguished Research Administrator Award at a public ceremony in the Michigan League’s Vandenberg Room from 3:30-5 p.m. May 7. The awards presentation is at 4 p.m.