Contacts » Office of Research » College of Dentistry

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 Health Science Center and UF’s community to facilitate research opportunities and sponsored funding. The office is a resource for:

Valeria Gordan, DDS, MS, MS-CI

Professor and Director for Dental Practice-Based Research

Interim Associate Dean for Research

As Interim 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.

Ronda Breton

Assistant Director for Research Administration

Ronda manages the Office of Research and provides guidance to faculty and staff throughout the College to support the research enterprise, ensuring adherence to agency, UF, state and federal guidelines. She maintains the College’s research statistics, compiles research measures for promotion and tenure packets, provides guidance in completing effort reports and compiles annual reports for the University and College.

Christi Mason

Research Administrator III

Christi manages the pre-award and proposal affairs for the Office of Research. She is responsible for all pre- and post-award activities including the submission of proposals for all institution and individual training grants and career development awards, including but not limited to all T, F and K awards. Christi is also responsible for providing assistance with highly complex submissions such as P and U award.

Lori Wooten

Research Administrator II

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.

Ben Griffith

Research Administrator II

Ben 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 Based Programs and School of Advanced Dental Sciences. Ben may be reached at 352-273-7254.

Justine Smith

Research Administrator I

Justine supports the pre-award, proposals, and post-award enterprise of the College. She is responsible for all pre- and post-award activities, including submitting proposals for Oral & Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, and Restorative Dental Sciences. Justine may be reached at 352-294-5442.

Christi, Lori, Ben, and Justine, will provide monthly project summary reports to principle investigators and departmental administrators and meet with them to financially plan and review expenditures on all grant accounts, including the overhead accounts. They will liaise between PIs and sub-awards to ensure the set-up of consortium agreements, assist with audits of sponsored research accounts, and ensure adherence to sponsor, UF, state, and federal guidelines. They will also enter CAS exemptions, no-cost extensions, re-budgeting modifications, and new and revised F&A distributions into UFirst for their assigned departments. In addition, they will assist the departments with payroll distributions and the closing of projects.

Denise Webb

Administrative Assistant II & Student Programs

Denise manages the student research programs. She provides administrative assistance to the associate dean for research and coordinates college-wide events, such as Annual Research Day. 352.294.5444

Renita J. Jenkins

Clinical Research Manager

Renita provides support for research protocols, clinical study proposals, IRB applications, study implementation, and compliance. Renita has worked within the DCRU since 2014, providing expertise and assisting with numerous clinical research studies. Phone: 352-273-6933

The Office of Research the UF Dental Tower’s third floor (room D3-43)

Questions? Call (352) 294-5440 or email DN-Office-of-Research@ad.ufl.edu