NICOLE DADURIAN
Houston,Texas
Summary
Resourceful professional in educational administration, known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Specializes in strategic planning, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. Excels in leveraging communication skills, leadership abilities, and problem-solving techniques to foster educational excellence and improve institutional performance.
Forward-thinking Operations Specialist bringing 15 years of expertise in Grants Administration for the University sector businesses. Cultivates rapport with individuals to optimize project goals and output, resolve complex problems and deliver innovative improvement strategies.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Proposal Specialist I and II
Rice University
04.2016 - Current
- Spearheaded multi-PI grant proposals and submissions for faculty across Physics/Astronomy, Chemistry, Math, BioSciences, and Earth Sciences within the Wiess School of Natural Sciences. Demonstrates strong teamwork and coordination in delivering a high-volume submission portfolio exceeding 300+ proposals per year.
- Lead all aspects of grant development, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and financial integrity while optimizing proposal strategies to align with Rice University and funding agency requirements.
- Managed grant project progress, financial transactions, and documentation, ensuring timely and compliant submissions through collaboration with funding agencies, sub-award partners, and external stakeholders.
- Provide strategic support to PIs in grant applications, contract interpretation, budget management, and expenditure tracking to maximize funding efficiency.
- Identified and analyzed funding opportunities, maintained tracking systems, and streamlined proposal workflows using customized templates and compliance strategies to improve proposal quality.
- Delivered training programs and enhanced policies, optimizing workflows to improve operational efficiency and support research administration.
- Conduct surveys, analyze stakeholder feedback, and implement targeted solutions to enhance grant processes and faculty support.
Adjunct English Professor
San Jacinto College - South and Central Campuses
09.2013 - Current
- Deliver engaging face-to-face and online instruction in English Composition and British Literature, creating dynamic learning experiences that foster critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Evaluated student writing, providing precise feedback that improved comprehension and writing proficiency while refining teaching strategies through self-assessment.
- Developed and managed course content and communications on Blackboard, facilitating seamless instruction and enhancing accessibility for all learners.
- Provided student support through conference hours and email correspondence, fostering academic success and intellectual growth.
- Planned, prepared and delivered lessons on American literature, British literature and grammar to 30+ students daily.
Grants/Contracts Specialist, School of Nursing
University of Texas Medical Branch
11.2013 - 04.2016
- Supported School of Nursing faculty in securing multi-PI grants, driving a significant increase in funding from $500K in 2013 to over $1 million in 2016 while ensuring strict compliance with Federal and UTMB regulations.
- Managed grant development, overseeing proposal review, budget preparation, and financial tracking to maximize funding opportunities.
- Maintained and updated databases and reports to monitor grant progress and track expenses efficiently.
- Processed financial and purchasing functions, conducting audits and reconciliations to ensure fiscal integrity and compliance.
Grants Development Assistant, Office of Sponsored Programs
University of Houston - Clear Lake
03.2009 - 11.2013
- Assisted Grants Development Associate in managing multi-PI, multidisciplinary grant proposals, facilitating an increase in funded grants from 30 in 2009 to over 400 in 2013.
- Managed grant development, ensuring compliance and accuracy while interpreting contract terms to mitigate financial and legal risks.
- Collaborated with principal investigators and funding agencies, organized grant writing seminars, and optimized database tools to enhance proposal development and submission.
- Performed funding searches, analyzed opportunities, and maintained tracking systems to improve faculty access to research funding.
Administrator for the School of Human Sciences & Humanities, Dean's Office
The University of Houston - Clear Lake
01.2007 - 03.2009
- Provided administrative support to faculty, adjuncts, and the leadership team, enabling seamless operations and improving workflow.
- Coordinated administrative operations for academic departments, enhanced faculty support, and optimized departmental processes.
- Coordinated communication and strategic initiatives as Secretary for HSH Secretaries' Committee, fostering collaboration and alignment across the school.
- Managed schedules, meetings, and communications for university projects and events.
- Processed documentation for student admissions and registration efficiently.
Instructional Designer/Project Manager, School of Mathematics Education
Texas A&M University
01.2004 - 06.2005
- Led development and management of grants, presentations, newsletters, website content, and academic articles for Middle School Mathematics Project (MSMP) and Mathematics Education, ensuring clarity and alignment with institutional goals to enhance program visibility and engagement.
- Directed daily operations of cognitive research group in Mathematics Education within College of Education & Human Development, supporting innovative research and instructional strategies.
- Prepare and update annual $1 million grant documentation for submission to Texas A&M University's Research Department, ensuring compliance with funding requirements and institutional standards.
- Managed MSMP grant's operating budget, tracked expenditures and financial allocations, optimizing resource utilization to support program sustainability.
Interim Publisher & Managing Editor, The Madisonville Meteor
San Patricio Publishing/ Granite Publications
01.2001 - 11.2003
- Directed editorial strategy and publication management for a weekly publication, overseeing content development, newsroom operations, and fostering community engagement.
- Coordinated editorial schedules and production timelines for diverse publishing projects, ensuring timely delivery of content.
- Partnered with authors and illustrators to enhance manuscript content and design, improving overall publication quality.
- Directed proofreading and editing processes to maintain high-quality standards across publications.
News Editor, The Sealy News
San Patricio Publishing/ Granite Publications
01.2000 - 01.2001
- Managed all writing staff while directing news coverage, editing stories, and maintaining an efficient newsroom workflow for biweekly publication.
Editor & Office Manager, The Portland News
San Patricio Publishing/ Granite Publications
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Managed staff while coordinating editorial production and office operations to support a high-quality weekly publication.
Education
MA - LITERATURE with Emphasis in TECHNICAL WRITING
University of Houston - Clear Lake
Houston, TXBA - COMMUNICATIONS
University of Houston - Clear Lake
Houston, TXAA - JOURNALISM
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TXEducational Leadership Ed.D. - Higher Education Administration
University of Houston - Clear Lake
Houston, TX05-2028
Skills
- Funding Acquisition
- Proposal writing
- ProposalCentral
- Grantsgov
- Cayuse SP
- Cayuse Systems
- NIH ERA Commons
- HRSA
- Researchgov
- NASA NSPIRES
- DOE PAMS
- FEDConnect
- InfoEd
- Compliance
- Regulatory compliance
- Research admin
- Data Analysis
- Data Management
- Process Optimization
- Workflow optimization
- Project Management
- Training Development
- Visual Communication
- Microsoft Suite
- Google Suite
- Banner
- PeopleSoft
- In4Grants
- ScienceCV (NCBI)
- Deadline-driven
- Proofreading
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Teamwork
- Operational efficiency
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Time management
- Multitasking
- Deadline oriented
- Compliance monitoring
- Proposal development
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Excellent communication
- Organizational skills
- Team leadership
- Effective communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Task prioritization
- Self motivation
- Conflict resolution
- Strategic planning
- Time management abilities
- Project management
- Process improvement
- Budget management
- Contract negotiation
Certification
- Pre-Award Certifications, NCURA and SRAI conferences, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022
- Post-Award Certification, SRAI, 2023
- Blackboard Online Teaching Certification, San Jacinto College, 2018
- ACUE Certification for Online Teaching, 2023
- Professional Development Certification, NCURA Conference, 2024
- Go2Knowledge Certification in Student Mental Health, 2024
Languages
Spanish
Limited Working
English
Full Professional
PUBLICATIONS
- Poster Presentation, Pre-Award Services Done the O.W.L. Way: Orchestrating Written Extramural Research Proposals for Lending (OWL), Dadurian, N., 10/01/23, The Society of Researchers International (SRAI) Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA
- Conference Presentation, Workplace Bullying and Microaggressions: Preventing Regressive Bullying in Research Administration, Dadurian, N., 04/01/25, The Society of Researchers International Virtual Conference
Timeline
Proposal Specialist I and II
Rice University
04.2016 - Current
Grants/Contracts Specialist, School of Nursing
University of Texas Medical Branch
11.2013 - 04.2016
Adjunct English Professor
San Jacinto College - South and Central Campuses
09.2013 - Current
Grants Development Assistant, Office of Sponsored Programs
University of Houston - Clear Lake
03.2009 - 11.2013
Administrator for the School of Human Sciences & Humanities, Dean's Office
The University of Houston - Clear Lake
01.2007 - 03.2009
Instructional Designer/Project Manager, School of Mathematics Education
Texas A&M University
01.2004 - 06.2005
Interim Publisher & Managing Editor, The Madisonville Meteor
San Patricio Publishing/ Granite Publications
01.2001 - 11.2003
News Editor, The Sealy News
San Patricio Publishing/ Granite Publications
01.2000 - 01.2001
Editor & Office Manager, The Portland News
San Patricio Publishing/ Granite Publications
01.1999 - 01.2000
BA - COMMUNICATIONS
University of Houston - Clear Lake
Educational Leadership Ed.D. - Higher Education Administration
University of Houston - Clear Lake
MA - LITERATURE with Emphasis in TECHNICAL WRITING
University of Houston - Clear Lake
AA - JOURNALISM
Del Mar College