Associate director ensures research administrators are well-informed in an ever-changing landscape

Nancy Biles | Associate Director of Research Administration | Office of Research

Policies surrounding federally funded research are routinely reevaluated and changed. Fortunately for the KU research community, one leader in research administration makes sure grant coordinators have the knowledge they need to keep the university’s research enterprise afloat.

Nancy Biles is the associate director of research administration in the Office of Research. She has been in the office for more than 20 years, starting as a grant specialist and working her way up to leading Pre-Award Services before moving to the helm of research administration.

“Nancy is detailed and conscientious. She is always willing to take the necessary steps to get the correct answer to faculty and staff who need support, both in the Office of Research and across campus,” said Alicia Reed, assistant vice chancellor for research.

One of the ways Biles educates research staff is through Research Administration News & Notes. The monthly newsletter highlights changes to federal policies, research administration activities, and upcoming training opportunities. In addition to the newsletter, Biles also develops training for KU staff. These include Thursday Research Topics, ad hoc trainings on timely issues, and quarterly grant coordinator meetings.

“Nancy is very detailed and willing to take extra time and focus to get to the correct and complete answers and solutions for the research community,” Reed said. “She has a great deal of institutional and research administration knowledge and applies this to achieve successful solutions.”

Biles has a hand in establishing policies and processes for the research enterprise and oversees certain compliance and regulatory matters. She partners with Research Development staff on internal funding and limited submissions. Biles also successfully guided the process of transitioning to paperless storage of research administration files, including overhauling the digital vault. 

Regardless of what Biles is working on, colleagues note that her demeanor inspires confidence in high-stakes situations.

“She is sometimes quiet, but you know that she is thinking and preparing to find a solution,” Reed said. “She also has very witty insights to add levity to an often-stressful job.”