Carol A. Brenner
Nokomis
Summary
Strategic academic leader specializing in research program development and medical education enhancement. Secured multi-million-dollar grants while advancing residency research initiatives to elevate student engagement and institutional reputation. Navigated complex accreditation processes and fostered interdepartmental collaboration to achieve superior educational outcomes.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Dean for Research & Scholarship
University of New England – College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM)
Portland
01.2018 - Current
- Secured and implemented federal grants, including the Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE) Grant and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Grants, advancing federally funded healthcare initiatives.
- Secured and directed grant funding for opioid-focused healthcare programs, elevating UNE’s reputation in public health research.
- Spearheaded and expanded medical student research programs, engaging over 300 students in scholarly projects.
- Optimized IRB policies and training modules, simplifying compliance for faculty and student research projects.
- Cultivated research partnerships with institutions, including Maine Medical Center Research Institute (MMCRI) and regional centers, enhancing collaborative research opportunities.
- Coordinated annual research events, such as Medical Students’ Fall Forum and Maine Osteopathic Association Symposium, showcasing over 100 student research posters and fostering academic engagement.
- Increased and maintained medical student participation in research electives by 25%, overcoming challenges during COVID-19 disruptions.
- Developed programs to assist medical students in publishing manuscripts and clinical cases, strengthening their scholarly contributions.
- Served and contributed to leadership committees, including the Dean’s Leadership Team, Curriculum Advisory Committee (CAC), and Research and Scholarship Committees, providing strategic guidance.
Founding Senior Director of Research & Academic Affairs
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM)
Jonesboro
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Spearheaded and directed the development of medical student research programs at the newly established NYITCOM-Arkansas State University campus. Constructing a comprehensive research infrastructure from the ground up.
- Designed and launched Population Health and Evidence-Based Medicine Certificate Programs, advancing student expertise in public health and clinical research.
- Integrated research initiatives into curriculum, enhancing student engagement in scholarly activities during clinical rotations.
- Acquired multiple HRSA grants, directing funding toward medical education and rural healthcare initiatives. Improving educational resources for underserved populations.
- Secured over $1 million in USDA grants to support mobile medical units and healthcare education initiatives, expanding community access to healthcare.
- Established and reinforced partnerships with regional healthcare systems. Advancing clinical research efforts in population health across Northeast Arkansas and the Delta Region.
- Forged and cultivated community partnerships to enhance experiential learning opportunities and applied research projects.
- Supervised and streamlined grant writing and budget management for federally funded initiatives.
Associate Dean for Biomedical Affairs & Research
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) – Carolinas Campus
Spartanburg
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Directed and oversaw the development and opening of the Gibbs Cancer Research and Stem Cell Institute, advancing oncology research and clinical trials.
- Collaborated and partnered with Clemson University as a Research Professor in Bioengineering, driving interdisciplinary research and creating student training programs.
- Boosted faculty research output by securing funding and mentoring in grant applications.
- Secured and allocated funding for healthcare innovation grants, particularly in opioid treatment and rural medicine.
- Developed and launched medical student research fellowships focused on primary care innovations and public health solutions.
- Initiated and led fellowship programs that supported 60+ medical students annually in clinical research projects.
- Recruited biomedical faculty to effectively deliver pre-clinical medical school curriculum.
- Designed and delivered Endocrinology, Male and Female Reproduction, and an entire Genetics course.
- Founding faculty at VCOM and was integral in establishing the pre-clinical medical school curriculum.
Associate Professor, Departments of Physiology and Obstetrics & Gynecology
Wayne State University
Detroit
09.2002 - 06.2011
- Facilitated interactive classroom discussions, fostering deeper understanding and critical thinking among students.
- Conducted research in specialized subject areas to advance knowledge.
- Collaborated with colleagues on interdisciplinary projects, enhancing curriculum relevance and broadening student perspectives.
- Evaluated student performance through assessments and feedback mechanisms.
- Presented research findings at academic conferences and seminars.
- Served on departmental committees to shape academic policies and programs.
- Advised undergraduate and graduate students on academic matters such as course selection and career paths.
- Collaborated with other departments to create interdisciplinary programs for students.
- Implemented strategies to improve student engagement during lectures, resulting in increased participation and enthusiasm.
- Designed comprehensive assessment plans aligned with curricular objectives set forth by accrediting agencies.
- Organized weekly seminars for faculty and students to discuss current topics in the field.
- Supervised graduate student research projects in support of their dissertations.
- Assisted colleagues with grant writing processes.
- Identified promising students to take on assistantships for research initiatives.
- Prepared grant proposals seeking funding for new research projects or initiatives.
- Reviewed manuscripts submitted for publication in academic journals related to the field.
- Served on committees that evaluate applications for scholarships or fellowships.
- Collaborated with peers on research to develop new insights and valuable professional relationships.
- Supervised work of postgraduate students by supporting research.
- Delivered course lectures using modern technology to enhance student comprehension.
- Contributed expertise to assist with departmental expansions and course changes.
- Built life-long learning skills and strong study habits in students to help each prepare for higher-level education.
- Directed full classrooms of students to develop various kinds of research.
- Supervised dissertational research work to assist research publication process.
- Cultivated collaborative and innovative learning environment to meet each student's unique educational needs.
Director of Molecular Embryology & Genetics
The Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science at Saint Barnabas Medical System
Livingston
01.1997 - 08.2002
- Directed strategic initiatives to enhance reproductive health services and patient care.
- Oversaw budget planning and resource allocation for clinical operations and research projects.
- Engaged stakeholders to advance educational programs on reproductive health issues, enhancing community awareness.
- Implemented quality assurance measures to maintain high standards of care and compliance.
- Mentored staff through professional development and training programs in reproductive medicine.
- Analyzed clinical data to drive improvements in patient outcomes and service efficiency.
- Facilitated communication between departments to ensure seamless operational workflows.
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members.
- Directed the organization's daily operations, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Conducted regular meetings with department heads to review progress on strategic initiatives.
- Developed policies and procedures to ensure compliance with corporate standards.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to set long-term objectives for the company.
- Established relationships with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms for materials or services.
- Created detailed plans outlining timelines, goals, budgets, staffing needs and other requirements for projects.
- Developed and implemented strategies that streamlined operational processes and increased organizational efficiency.
- Identified opportunities for improvement in operational performance metrics.
- Negotiated agreements with external partners such as contractors or consultants.
- Coordinated activities with other departments to expedite work and improve collaboration.
- Assessed employee performance against established benchmarks or targets.
- Prepared presentations for board meetings summarizing key developments within the company.
- Monitored industry trends to identify opportunities for expansion and innovation.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant regulations, policies and procedures.
- Implemented new technologies to streamline processes and enhance productivity.
- Represented the organization at industry events, conferences, and public meetings.
Education
Ph.D. - Molecular Biology
Tufts University
Medford, MAB.S. (Honors) - Molecular Genetics
Queen Mary College, University of London
UKSkills
- Grant management
- Research leadership
- IRB compliance and accreditation
- Research policy formulation
- Research infrastructure
- Collaborative research initiatives
- Medical education expertise
- Academic leadership and training
- Faculty recruitment
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Institutional compliance
Affiliations
- International Stem Cell Society, 2004 – Present
- International Embryo Transfer Society, 2002 – Present
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 1996 – Present
- Association of American Osteopathic Colleges, 2007 – Present
- Societies of Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, and FASEB, 1988 – Present
Certification
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant Reviewer
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) Certified
- CITI Program Certification in Human Subjects Research
Grants And Research Projects
- Primary Care Training & Enhancement (PCTE) Grant – University of New England
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Supplement Grant – University of New England
- Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Grant – NIH
- USDA Healthcare Services Grant – NYITCOM
- SAGE Research Fellowship – Maine Medical Center Research Institution (MMCRI)
Publications And Editorial Activities
- Editorial Board Member, Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
- Editorial Board Member, Journal of Reproductive and Stem Cell Biotechnology
- Editor, Asking About Cells (Textbook), Saunders College-Publishing
- Reviewer for Fertility and Sterility and other peer-reviewed journals
Note
Published 100 highly cited research manuscripts with an H-index of 41 and over 8,200 citations, reflecting significant scholarly impact in the field. This level of productivity and influence places my research among the most referenced in the discipline, demonstrating sustained excellence over more than two decades of scientific activity.
Signature Accomplishments
- Mentored and empowered medical students and early-career researchers, many of whom published in peer-reviewed journals and secured prestigious academic positions.
- Expanded and revitalized the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine’s medical student research program, engaging over 300 students in research and scholarship.
- Secured and directed significant grants, including a $1+ million USDA healthcare services grant to deliver medical education and health screenings to rural Arkansas communities.
- Founded and mentored Biomedical and Clinical Faculty at multiple institutions, including the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and New York Institute of Technology at Arkansas State University, establishing research programs and medical school pre-clerkship curriculum.
Qualifications Summary
Accomplished and results-driven academic leader with expertise in research program development, medical education, research publications, and institutional leadership across higher education and healthcare settings. Recognized for developing honors research programs, advancing residency research initiatives, and integrating research principles into medical curricula. Adept at guiding institutions through complex accreditation processes, securing multi-million-dollar grants, and designing impactful programs to enhance student success and faculty engagement. Demonstrates a proven track record of ensuring research integrity, maintaining IRB compliance, and delivering excellence in accreditation reporting. History of success in advancing primary care research, leading opioid-focused healthcare initiatives, and fostering interdepartmental collaborations to achieve superior medical education outcomes. Known for driving strategic growth in research programs at institutions including the University of New England, Wayne State University, and New York Institute of Technology. Known for development of physiology course development at two new osteopathic schools in the US and extensive teaching and curriculum experience. Development of grants offices, IRB protocols and development of grant processes for federal grants for NIH. Founded the Gibbs Cancer Laboratory with Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine with a focus establishing a clinical translational research program running clinical trials and reviewing IRB protocols.
Timeline
Associate Dean for Research & Scholarship
University of New England – College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM)
01.2018 - Current
Founding Senior Director of Research & Academic Affairs
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM)
01.2016 - 01.2018
Associate Dean for Biomedical Affairs & Research
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) – Carolinas Campus
01.2011 - 01.2014
Associate Professor, Departments of Physiology and Obstetrics & Gynecology
Wayne State University
09.2002 - 06.2011
Director of Molecular Embryology & Genetics
The Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science at Saint Barnabas Medical System
01.1997 - 08.2002
Ph.D. - Molecular Biology
Tufts University
B.S. (Honors) - Molecular Genetics
Queen Mary College, University of London