Mentoring and Collaborating Across Departments

Olga Garcia is a senior research administrator within Sponsored Project and Research Catalysts (SPARC) at Feinberg. She earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational behavior studies and a master’s in communication and media studies from Northwestern. Having been at Feinberg since 2006, Garcia has served in numerous roles in research administration and finance. Now, she trains and mentors research administrators within SPARC and specializes in training grants.  

Where is your hometown?  

I was born and raised in Guatemala, Central America and moved to Chicago with my husband after we got married. 

What led you to Northwestern?  

I joined Northwestern alongside my former boss, Dr. Jacob Sznajder, when he became the Division Chief for Pulmonary Medicine. Over the years I have taken on a variety of roles including administrative secretary, fellowship coordinator, financial analyst, and most recently, a senior research administrator, showcasing my versatility and dedication to supporting diverse offices’ goals. 

What are you currently working on? 

I am the lead research administrator for SPARC, specializing in training grants. Currently, I’m working on a collaborative project with my director, Bethany Ekesa, and the Training Grant Support Office team to establish a community of practice. This initiative aims to tap into the expertise of experienced staff with deep historical knowledge, enabling us to effectively disseminate complex information about training grants to managers and research administrators at Feinberg and beyond.  

How does your work support the research enterprise at Feinberg?  

I have the privilege to interact and provide support for pre- and post-award to multiple principal investigators. Within SPARC, our unique departmental structure allows us to take on both temporary and long-term assignments, giving us the opportunity to collaborate with multiple departments and divisions within Feinberg. Additionally, we are passionate about collaborating with other departments, refining and sharing practical tools that simplify workflow to enhance the efficiency of research administrators.  

Why do you enjoy working at Northwestern? 

I enjoy working at Northwestern because of the collaborative spirit within my team. We bring together a wealth of experience accumulated over many years, and there’s a shared passion for exchanging knowledge and supporting one another. Furthermore, we have very supportive leadership who recognizes our contributions and makes us feel comfortable with a sense of belonging.