Research Development
In fall of 2024, ISU launched the Office of Research Development. Research development supports the growth of university-based research and creative scholarship.
According to the National Organization for Research Development Professionals, “Research Development encompasses a set of strategic, catalytic, and capacity-building activities that advance research, especially in higher education. Research Development professionals help researchers become more successful communicators, grant writers, and advocates for their research. They help researchers bring new ideas to life. Research Development professionals also serve their institutions. They create services and resources that transcend disciplinary and administrative barriers and create programs to spur discovery.”
At ISU, the goal of research development is to advance the culture of research and creative scholarship across the ISU community. Research includes discovery and innovation in the sciences and engineering, scholarship in the humanities, as well as creative works and performances in the arts. To achieve this goal, the ISU Office of Research Development will primarily offer two types of support to faculty and staff involved in research: direct support for preparing proposals and strategic activities to enhance grantsmanship.
Direct Proposal Support
Examples of Direct Proposal Support: Working with faculty to identify funding opportunities, help with identifying collaborators and building teams, individual faculty training, support navigating the grant lifecycle, reviewing solicitations, tailoring projects to specific funding opportunities, and increasing the capacity of faculty to identify and win grants.
Strategic Activities
Developing and hosting workshops, identifying and creating resources for researchers, working to align research projects with strategic institutional priorities, working with partners to increase grant opportunities, and expanding relationships with funders.
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Native-Engaged Research Training
The Office of Research Development works collaboratively with the Office of Sponsored Programs and Support. The Office of Sponsored Programs and Support is an essential part of grant seeking at ISU, and they continue to support faculty in navigating the requirements of funding solicitations, developing project budgets, ensuring compliance before and after an award is made, and so much more! Research development is a complimentary service available to grantseekers.
To work with the Office of Research Development, please reach out to Dr. Amy Wuest (amywuest@isu.edu). If you would like to receive direct support on a project, please contact Dr. Wuest as soon as possible. The Office of Research Development will try to accommodate these requests as deadlines and availability allow.
Contact Us
Amy Wuest
Director of Research Development
(208) 282-5575
amywuest@isu.edu
Administration Building, Room 121e, 919 S 8th Ave, Pocatello, ID 83209
Services provided by Dr. Wuest:
- Assist faculty with personalized funding searches
- Liaise with funding agencies to promote research and creative initiatives at ISU
- Disseminate funding information to each campus
- Coordinate and manage limited submissions
- Conduct grant writing workshops and collect resources to promote grantsmanship
- Support proposal development for small and large awards
- Liaise with funders during proposal development process
- Coordinate red team proposal reviews and the resubmission of unsuccessful proposals
- Facilitate internal and external collaborations
Amy Wuest, PhD is the Director of Research Development. She has extensive experience in grant writing, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strategic partnership building. Dr. Wuest provides direct and indirect project support to research projects across all of ISU’s campuses. Dr. Wuest designs and implements research development services targeted to faculty with the goal of supporting faculty to develop their research ideas into fundable programs of research and increasing the competitiveness of external grant proposals. Additionally, Dr. Wuest works with a variety of external partners to increase the number of opportunities and the support services available to faculty.
Prior to joining ISU, Dr. Wuest was the Director of Health at United Way of Southeastern Idaho, where she led projects to address regional health challenges through data-driven programs. Some of those projects included launching Idaho’s first Ride United program and launching findhelpidaho.org. She also worked as the Manager of Grants and Continuing Medical Education at Bingham Memorial Hospital. With her background in securing funding for large-scale initiatives and facilitating research partnerships, Dr. Wuest is committed to advancing the research enterprise at ISU.
Outside of work, Dr. Wuest enjoys spending time supporting projects to improve the local community by serving on boards and volunteering. She is also an avid runner and reader.
Sonia Martinez
Director of Undergraduate Research
(208) 282-1323
soniamartinez@isu.edu
Administration Building, Room 141, 921 South 8th Ave, Pocatello, Idaho
Services provided by Martinez include:
- Faculty Collaboration and Support - Assist faculty in integrating undergraduate students into their research projects.
- Student Mentorship and Advising - Guide students in identifying research opportunities and applying for funding
- Conference Presentation and Coordination - Provide opportunities and encourage students to present their research at research symposiums.
- Outreach and Advocacy - Work with external stakeholders, businesses, government, and other university partners to create opportunities for students
- Assist faculty with Research Development work
- Assist Faculty Researchers in fostering collaborative partnerships with business, government, and community.
- Recruit undergraduate students for Idaho EPSCoR programs for competitive disciplinary and multidisciplinary research.
- Travel with students to conferences to present their research and creative works
- Manage ISU's participation and Coordinate student engagement in the Idaho Conference in Undergraduate Research
Sonia Martinez, MPA is a dedicated advocate for undergraduate research. She has served as the Outreach Coordinator and currently the Undergraduate Research and Outreach Director for eight years. With several years of experience, she has played a pivotal role in promoting mentored undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry, successfully increasing student participation from first-generation and rural student populations.
Her background includes extensive workforce and community development work in government and the nonprofit sector, where she has contributed to economic growth and educational advancement. As a certified Economic Development Public Administration Professional, Sonia brings a strategic and policy-driven approach to her work. She has successfully assisted faculty in achieving broader impacts in their research, ensuring their work reaches and benefits Idaho communities.
Over the years, she has advised several student organizations and is currently the SACNAS at ISU advisor. Her community engagement includes serving on the Board of Directors of the Girls Scouts of Silver Sage and The Idaho Discovery Center Advisory Committee. Other volunteer areas include the Idaho STEM Ecosystem and efforts to secure scholarships for low-income students.