Jennifer Ferris, MHS, CCRC
Director of Research
3rd floor Research Building
Office 306
jferris@utmck.edu
Phone: (865) 305-7975

Jennifer provides supports for the Assistant Dean for Research to ensure oversight and guidance for research operations at GSM. Functions as the chief administrative and programmatic contact for the Research Center and Office of Research Support; provides consultation on grant preparation; Investigator-Initiated Clinical Research, IRB and FDA compliance, and provides UTHSC COM-Knoxville with information regarding grant policies and procedures, as well as UT Health Science Center (UTHSC) research polices. Assists PI(s) with grant application procedures and coordinates training for our researchers with the Office of Biosafety, Radiation Safety, Environmental Health and Safety and clinical trial compliance.

Tiffany Johnson, B.A.
Research Study Coordinator II - Department of Surgery
3rd Floor Research Building
Office 312
thjohnson@utmck.edu
865-305-4682

Tiffany assists faculty with clinical research activities including, but not limited to protocol and consent development, the submission and management of regulatory paperwork for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals; the preparation and maintenance of study files and essential study documents; the coordination of operational components of research studies; study recruitment, screening, and consenting of participants, and coordinates the implementation of study protocols and record-keeping for UTHSC COM-Knoxville Investigator-Initiated Clinical Research Studies.

Tiffany also assists the Director of Research with post IRB approval Quality Assurance Monitoring and with the coordination of UTK undergraduate students and their onboarding. She is also the first point of contact for GSM phlebotomy and blood collection related information for Investigator-Initiated Research.

Melissa Weaver
Research Admin Coordinator I
3rd floor Research building
Office 310
mweaver@utmck.edu
Phone: (865) 305-6181

Melissa Weaver provides management and coordination of the administrative and day-to-day operational activities for the research infrastructure and programs for the UTHSC COM-Knoxville. Maintains records of expenses and departmental funds. Coordinates compliance reviews, facility inspections, equipment removal and storage, and assists with Cayuse grant submissions. Melissa also works with the Assistant Director of Research to organize and prepare for Investigator-Initiated Research execution.

Brenda Chaves, BBA
Research Financial Associate II
3rd floor Research building
Office 303
bchaves@utmck.edu
Phone: (865) 305-3897

Brenda Chaves coordinates financial day-to-day operational activities for research infrastructure and programs for the UTHSC COM-Knoxville. She assists research leadership with the management and oversight of research account expenses, departmental funds, and other fiscal related activities for the research program.

Sima Namin, Ph.D
Health Disparities Research Specialist
Office of Research Support
3rd floor Research building, Office 315
snamin@utmck.edu
Dr. Sima Namin has over seven years of experience in health disparities research, public health, and geospatial data analysis. She holds a Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Public Policy and has completed research fellowships at both the Medical College of Wisconsin and Toronto Metropolitan University. Her work has focused on community-based health interventions, spatial health surveillance, and social determinants of health, with multiple peer-reviewed publications and successful grant contributions. Dr. Namin’s expertise will support our efforts to expand research that addresses health equity and underserved populations across East Tennessee.

Manasa Ganesuni, M.S.
Quality Assurance and Regulatory Specialist
Office of Research Support
3rd floor Research building, Office 317
mganesuni@utmck.edu

Manasa Tulasi Ganesuni holds a Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. Her background blends pharmaceutical training with regulatory strategy, giving her a strong foundation in FDA submissions and global compliance standards. Prior to UTHSC COM-Knoxville, she contributed to regulatory research for medical devices, helped draft FDA pre-submission materials, and completed policy research focused on telehealth innovation. She also supports research teams in reviewing study data to ensure it meets ClinicalTrials.gov submission requirements. Manasa’s understanding of both clinical research and regulatory compliance will be key to supporting research oversight and quality initiatives.

Lauren Crawford, MS
Clinical Research & Student Coordinator 
Office of Research Support, 3rd Floor Research Building 
lcrawford@utmck.edu
Phone: (865) 305-9308
Lauren is responsible for supporting daily operations and disseminating necessary information across the UTHSC COM-Knoxville campus for undergraduate students engaging in research. Lauren serves as a liaison between students and UTHSC COM-Knoxville research leadership and supports the logistical components of undergraduate student programs. Lauren also assists UTHSC COM-Knoxville faculty with the screening and consenting of patients for prospective clinical research projects in the Department of Surgery.

Research Study Coordinators

The Office of Research Support Research Study Coordinators assist faculty with clinical research activities including, but not limited to, protocol and consent development, the submission and management of regulatory paperwork for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals; the preparation and maintenance of study files and essential study documents; the coordination of operational components of research studies; study recruitment, screening, and consenting of participants, and coordinates the implementation of study protocols and record-keeping for UTHSC COM-Knoxville Investigator-Initiated Clinical Research Studies.

Tracy Walker, B.A.
Research Study Coordinator I - Centralized Coordinator
3rd Floor Research Building
Office 303
twalker5@utmck.edu
865-305-4297

Francisca Hammond, M.S.
Research Study Coordinator I - Anesthesiology
3rd Floor Research Building, Office 314
fhammond@utmck.edu

Courtney Lucca, MS
Research Study Coordinator I - Urology/Centralized
3rd Floor Research Building
Office 316
cclucca@utmck.edu
865-305-5763

Savannah Allen, MPH
Research Study Coordinator I - Oncology/Centralized
3rd Floor Research Building
Office 316
skallen1@utmck.edu
865-305-9522

Madeline Mikes, M.S.
Research Study Coordinator I - Oncology
3rd Floor Research Building, Office 317
mmikes@utmck.edu

Ryan Wilson
Research Study Coordinator I
Pat Summit Research Laboratory
Rawilson1@utmck.edu

Research Data Coordinators
The Office of Research Support Research Data Coordinators assist with clinical research study data for Investigator-Initiated Research. Develops Source and EMR Extraction Documents for retrospective and prospective research, conducts routine reviews for data discrepancy, query generation, resolution, and reconciliation, and develops data management plans that adhere to 21 CFR Part 11 (Electronic Records) & 45 CFR Part 46 (protection of human subjects in research). They provide support for data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Yuliya Nemykina, MS
Research Data Coordinator I - Centralized Coordinator
3rd Floor Research Building
Office 315
ynemykina@utmck.edu
865-305-5185