About Us
The UFCD Office of Research is committed to providing assistance to faculty, staff, and students in the College of Dentistry. The office staff works in conjunction with UF’s Academic Health Center and the UF community to facilitate research opportunities and sponsored funding.
resources
Research support programs
Pre-award and proposal preparation
Award administration with financial management
Compliance
Our Leadership and Staff
leadership
Distinguished Professor and Director for Dental Practice-Based Research Associate Dean for Research
Valeria Gordan, DDS, MS, MS-CI
As associate dean for research, Dr. Gordan facilitates research endeavors benefiting faculty and students. Dr. Gordan also provides leadership in both the scientific and administrative communities.
Associate Director for Research Administration
Ronda Breton
Ronda manages the Office of Research, guiding faculty and staff to meet agency, UF, state, and federal compliance. She tracks research statistics, prepares promotion and tenure metrics, advises on effort reports, and compiles annual reports for the university and college.
Research Administrator Manager
Christi Mason
Christi directs pre‑ and post‑award activities for the Office of Research, overseeing submission of institutional and individual training grants and career‑development awards (T, F, K) while providing expert guidance on complex P and U award proposals.
Research Administrators
About our Research Administrators
Research administrators submit monthly summaries to PIs and leaders, monitor grant spending, manage consortium agreements and audits, ensure sponsor, UF, state, and federal compliance, record CAS exemptions, no‑cost extensions, budget and F&A updates in UFirst, support payroll distribution, and facilitate project closure.
Research Administrator II
Lori Wooten
Lori supports the pre-award, proposals and post-award enterprise of the college. She is responsible for all pre- and post-award activities including the submission of proposals for the Department of Oral Biology.
Research Administrator II
Ryan Roberts
Ryan supports the pre-award, proposals and post-award enterprise of the college. He is responsible for all pre- and post-award activities including the submission of proposals for the Department of Community Dentistry & Behavioral Science.
Research Administrator I
Chassidi Rogers
Chassidi supports the pre-award, proposals, and post-award enterprise of the college. Is responsible for all pre- and post-award activities, including submitting proposals for Oral & Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Restorative Dental Sciences and the School of Advanced Dental Sciences.
Research Administrator II
Maria A. Lalama
Maria oversees all facets of the college’s training grants, handling renewals, trainee appointments, and fund tracking across the programs she manages: Dr. Lemos’ T90/R90 Comprehensive Oral Biology Training Grant, Dr. Fillingim’s T32 IMPART Training Grant, and Dr. Cruz-Almeida’s T90/R90 UF PAIN TEAM Training Grant.
Student program coordinator
Coordinator of Student Research PROGRAMS & Administrative Specialist II
Denise Webb
Denise champions student research, guiding students from early coursework to capstone with mentorship, resources, and skill‑building. She leads the Spring Synergy, partnering with Continuing Education and ASDA to coordinate speakers, posters, and logistics. Her efforts weave together students, faculty, and the community, advancing the college’s research mission.
Dental clinical research unit (dcru)
Clinical Research Manager
Renita J. Jenkins
Renita supports research protocols, clinical proposals, IRB submissions, study implementation, and compliance. Since 2014 she has worked within the DCRU, providing expertise for numerous clinical research studies.
