Shannon Sherman
Summary
Scientific program leader with more than 20 years of experience directing complex research initiatives across federal government, biotechnology, academia, and nonprofit organizations. Proven track record building the operational systems, partnerships, and governance structures that enable high-impact science. Expertise in scientific program management, research governance, cross-functional leadership, and strategic collaboration, with extensive experience translating complex scientific objectives into scalable operational strategies that accelerate research impact. Recognized for building trusted collaborations across government agencies, universities, Tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, industry, and multidisciplinary scientific teams while ensuring scientific rigor, operational excellence, and evidence-based decision making.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Scientific Review Officer (SRO)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
St. Petersburg, FL
08.2022 - Current
- Lead scientific review operations supporting a biomedical research portfolio spanning clinical trials, translational research, observational studies, and basic science in infectious disease and immunology.
- Direct end-to-end scientific operations for 500+ grant applications, integrating scientific expertise, governance, regulatory compliance, and operational execution.
- Recruit and coordinate a national network of 200+ scientific experts while fostering collaboration among NIH leadership, reviewers, and administrative teams.
- Serve as Designated Federal Official overseeing committee governance, conflict-of-interest management, policy implementation, reviewer recruitment, and continuous process improvement.
- Translate complex scientific findings into actionable recommendations supporting research portfolio decisions and evidence-based funding.
- Partner with senior NIH leadership to strengthen reviewer engagement, organizational effectiveness, and research enterprise operations.
Scientific Review Analyst Advisor
General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)
Remote
05.2020 - 08.2022
- Supported Department of Defense biomedical research operations and multidisciplinary scientific review programs.
- Coordinated scientific review operations across diverse stakeholders while improving operational quality and consistency.
Senior Innovation Consultant
Inspiralia
Remote
05.2021 - 06.2022
- Advised biotechnology companies, academic investigators, and life science organizations on commercialization strategy, scientific partnerships, and federal funding.
- Led multidisciplinary proposal teams spanning science, business, regulatory strategy, and finance.
- Supported competitive federal SBIR/STTR funding initiatives.
City Council Member President (Elected)
City of Sandpoint
Sandpoint, Idaho
01.2014 - 01.2022
- Co-led development of the City's Strategic Plan and Ethics Framework.
- Built consensus among elected officials, executive leadership, and community stakeholders.
- Advanced evidence-informed governance through cross-sector partnerships and strategic decision-making.
Executive Director
Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper
Sandpoint, ID
09.2011 - 10.2019
- Increased philanthropic and grant funding by 40%, expanding scientific research and conservation programs.
- Built partnerships across federal and state agencies, Tribal organizations, universities, foundations, businesses, and community organizations.
- Established a citizen science monitoring network spanning 18 stations and generating 10,000+ environmental data points that informed state and federal policy.
- Directed governance, communications, fundraising, strategic planning, and organizational growth.
Director of Environmental Virology
J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI)
La Jolla, CA
09.2005 - 09.2011
- Led multidisciplinary genomics and environmental virology research operations.
- Developed Single Virus Genomics technology that became the subject of a patent application.
- Established and managed collaborations with academic institutions, federal agencies, philanthropic organizations, and international research partners.
- Collaborated with geographically distributed scientific teams and external partners, coordinating research from concept through publication.
- Led externally funded research supported by NSF, NASA, USDA, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
- Mentored multidisciplinary scientific teams and authored 30+ peer-reviewed publications.
Education
Mini-MBA - BioPharma Innovation
Rutgers University Business School
New Brunswick, NJ12-2023
Ph.D. - Marine Science (Virology)
University of South Florida
St. Petersburg, FL12-2003
B.S. - Marine Biology
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC12-1996
Skills
- Scientific Program Management
- Research Portfolio Strategy
- Scientific Operations
- Research Governance
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Strategic Partnerships
- Clinical & Scientific Research Administration
- Scientific Communications
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Process Improvement
- Publications & Scientific Dissemination
- Federal Research Administration
Selected Career Achievements
- Directed scientific operations supporting 500+ NIH biomedical research applications involving 200+ expert reviewers.
- Led scientific programs spanning federal government, biotechnology, academia, and nonprofit organizations.
- Developed Single Virus Genomics technology that became the subject of a patent application.
- Authored 30+ peer-reviewed scientific publications and book chapters; presented at national and international scientific meetings.
- Built strategic partnerships across federal agencies, universities, Tribal organizations, foundations, and industry.
- Designed and scaled research monitoring programs generating 10,000+ environmental data points.
Timeline
Scientific Review Officer (SRO)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
08.2022 - Current
Senior Innovation Consultant
Inspiralia
05.2021 - 06.2022
Scientific Review Analyst Advisor
General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)
05.2020 - 08.2022
City Council Member President (Elected)
City of Sandpoint
01.2014 - 01.2022
Executive Director
Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper
09.2011 - 10.2019
Director of Environmental Virology
J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI)
09.2005 - 09.2011
Mini-MBA - BioPharma Innovation
Rutgers University Business School
Ph.D. - Marine Science (Virology)
University of South Florida
B.S. - Marine Biology
University of North Carolina Wilmington