Kier Om
Grant And Contract Review Specialist
Herndon,VA
Summary
Experienced Program Specialist with skills in facilitating peer review of grant applications and contract proposals for government funding. Demonstrates expertise in project coordination, management, and stakeholder engagement. Utilizes strategic planning and execution to ensure program and review milestones are met. Excels at fostering team collaboration and enhancing operational processes to achieve optimal results. Proven ability to perform multiple tasks and lead team training, making this candidate a valuable asset in driving success.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Scientific Program Specialist – AIDS Review Branch
National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Rockville, MD
11.2022 - Current
- Provide scientific, administrative, and technical support to manage, analyze, and plan the scientific peer review of over 30 grant applications and contract proposals for extramural research programs
- Assess and ensure compliance of peer review program activities with applicable policies, laws and regulations to mitigate programmatic risk, and develop innovative concepts to promote the mission of the Scientific Review Program(SRP) and NIAID
- Conduct administrative review of grant applications and contract proposals to identify completeness, adherence to Notice of Funding Opportunity(NOFO) requirements and address submission-specific special issues or problems
- Provide scientific and analytical support to review submission content and identify appropriate scientific experts needed for peer review evaluation of grants and contracts as related to a broad portfolio of projects involving immunology and infectious disease
- Manage and maintain scientific documents and data for submissions through the utilization of a variety of automated NIH electronic peer review systems to support scientific program activities (i.e
- QVR, ExLoc, SRDMS, eRSS, Committee Management Module, Peer Review Module, and Internet Assisted Review)
- Create, manage, and compile documents for the peer review process including conflict of interest packets for reviewers, meeting rosters, Pre and Post Conflict of Interest (COI) Forms, Technical Evaluation Score Sheets (TESS), Reviewer Personal Forms, and SREA Registration
- Serve as the lead for assigning, creating and reviewing Critique Templates in collaboration with Specialist staff from other branches across SRP
- To include generating data reports for RIMS initiatives, performing analyses to identify new NOFOs, then creating and disseminating assignments with established deadlines
- Serve in the Lead role for FACA review of Conference applications, while managing all logistics for peer review including development of documents, preparing a summary of meeting statements and minutes, IT set up, coordinating electronic systems, and managing the avoidance of review attendee conflicts
- Prepare presentations via PowerPoint to provide information on peer review activities and the roles of a Peer Review Specialist to newly hired review staff group
- Manage and evaluate data from automated systems and reviewers to identify and report issues of peer review processes
- Compile documentation to help develop recommendations to improve peer review activities and the effectiveness of meetings as needed for distribution to internal and external stakeholders
- Serve as co-lead on the Training Subcommittee to develop and provide training on best practices to program staff in the management of peer review activities
- Support new Specialist by providing guidance in program planning and administrative support for health science and biomedical research peer review projects/initiatives
- Participate in peer review meetings and activities to include coordinating processes with management, NIH staff, and other scientific groups/organizations involved with research programs
- Collaborates with NIAID staff to develop, coordinate, and communicate scientific goals and strategies for my branch and the Division
Medical Lab Scientist – Microbiology Department
INOVA Fairfax Hospital Core Laboratory
Fairfax, VA
08.2021 - 10.2022
- Ensure quality specimens for laboratory testing by recognizing pre-analytical factors that adversely affect patient results
- Adhere to regulatory agency guidelines, such as CAP, JCAHO, CMS, OSHA, state, FDA, AABB, etc
- Perform waived testing competency per facility requirements
- Report and document critical values in accordance with site specific SOPs
- Prepare standardized reagents used for chemical and bacterial growth procedures
- Perform complex analytical tests on blood, body fluids, tissue, and cells in a fast-paced, high sample volume laboratory
- Perform PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 and enteric pathogens
- Collaborate with physicians and other staff in diagnosing and monitoring disease processes, and the effectiveness of therapy
Lab Manager/Research Assistant III
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
Silver Spring, Maryland
06.2016 - 07.2020
- Performed NHP T-cell immunology experiments identifying vaccine correlates of protection from HIV/SIV acquisition
- Measured antigen-specific T cell responses and their transcriptional profile via multiplex flow cytometry, qPCR, and the isolation of lymphocytes from peripheral blood
- Managed operational documents and planned HIV/SIV and SARS-CoV-2 animal vaccine studies in rhesus macaques
- Collected, entered, and analyzed data for multiple research projects into central databases
- Managed and produced reports on laboratory cost centers, budgets, equipment maintenance, and supply ordering
- Maintained laboratory compliance with established safety and health protocols to include the proper disposal of infectious/hazardous materials and laboratory inspections
- Interviewed, hired and trained lab technicians to perform experiments and analyze results.
- Established relationships with external vendors to negotiate better pricing on lab supplies without compromising quality or availability.
- Collaborated with research teams to optimize experimental design and data collection methods.
Histotechnologist
Johns Hopkins University Immunogenetics Laboratory
Baltimore, MD
06.2014 - 02.2016
- Performed human leukocyte antigen/histocompatibility testing including molecular typing using PCR, flow cytometry crossmatching, and Luminex antibody screening/identification
- Isolated and preserved lymphocytes of patient and donor specimens
- Performed lymphocytotoxicity (CDC) cross-matching to assess patient and deceased donor compatibility for solid organ transplantation
- Assisted Laboratory Supervisors in writing reports advising clinicians as to the best match between donor and recipient
- Worked on-call to perform emergency testing on deceased donors for recipient matches
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members to ensure optimal patient outcomes through precise tissue evaluation
- Reduced error rates by conducting regular quality control checks on reagents, stains, and equipment
- Contributed to improved patient care by providing timely and accurate test results for diagnosis and treatment planning
- Maintained strict confidentiality when handling sensitive patient information, ensuring compliance with all relevant data protection regulations
Senior Administrative Coordinator
American Physical Therapy Association
Alexandria, VA
10.2008 - 06.2014
- Reviewed applications to determine if Physical Therapists met the minimum eligibility criteria for specialist certification, recertification, and residency/fellowship program credentialing
- Answered applicant phone calls to discuss and resolve eligibility conflicts
- Scheduled and participated in videoconference meetings for Specialty Boards to determine application requirements and review applications
- Updated and monitored application information and exam review materials on the Association website
- Assisted in the planning, set-up, and hosting of events for the annual national conference
- Scheduled internal meetings and conference calls in addition to taking detailed minutes
- Streamlined office operations by implementing efficient administrative systems and processes
- Collected and entered information into departmental databases
- Served as a reliable point of contact between cross-functional teams streamlining communications to allow for swift resolutions on pressing matters
Education
Master of Science - Microbiology and Immunology
Georgetown University
Washington, DC 08.2011 - 12.2013
Skills
Grant Review and Evaluation
Publications
- Adjuvanted HIV-1 vaccine promotes antibody-dependent phagocytic responses and protects against heterologous SHIV challenge., Om K, Paquin-Proulx D, Montero M, Peachman K, Shen X, Wieczorek L, et al., PLoS Pathog, 16, 9, e1008764, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1008764
- Safety and Efficacy of VRC01 Broadly Neutralising Antibodies in Adults With Acutely Treated HIV (RV397): A Phase 2, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial., Crowell T, Colby D, Pinyakorn S, et al., Lancet HIV, 6, 5, e297-e306, 2019, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhiv/article/PIIS2352-3018(19)30053-0
- Adjuvanted pox-protein vaccination elicits exceptional effector antibody and T cell responses, but does not protect against heterologous SHIV rectal challenge in rhesus macaques., Subra C, King H, Tourtellott-Fogt E, Swafford I, Williams LD, Om K, Dong M, Ferrari MG, Matyas GR, Tomaras GD, Rao M, Bolton DL., JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PRIMATOLOGY, 52, 303-303, 2023
Certification
ASCP (Medical Lab Scientist)
Awards
- DEA Director’s Peer Recognition Award, 01/01/24
- DEA Director’s Peer Recognition Award, 10/01/24
DEA Director's Peer Recognition Award FY24 (Q1 and Q4)
I was nominated by my peers for the DEA Recognition Award who believed I embody DEA's core values. I co-lead Best Practice Training for new specialists, as well as also the Scientific Review Officers. I also lead, trained, and managed specialists in creating critique templates used for each grant review, instructing the reviewers how to complete their critiques. Each template was specific to the grant mechanism being reviewed. My peers felt that my hard work, dedication, and expertise has helped them tremendously especially during our review meetings. They recognized my tireless efforts, positive attitude, and attention to detail as the backbone of the review team and confirmed I am very capable of doing the work efficiently and in a timely manner. They appreciated that I made their jobs easier and more enjoyable..
Work Availability
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Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
RemoteImportant To Me
Work-life balanceFlexible work hoursPaid time offHealthcare benefitsWork from home optionPaid sick leave401k matchCareer advancementTimeline
Scientific Program Specialist – AIDS Review Branch
National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
11.2022 - Current
Medical Lab Scientist – Microbiology Department
INOVA Fairfax Hospital Core Laboratory
08.2021 - 10.2022
Lab Manager/Research Assistant III
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
06.2016 - 07.2020
Histotechnologist
Johns Hopkins University Immunogenetics Laboratory
06.2014 - 02.2016
Master of Science - Microbiology and Immunology
Georgetown University
08.2011 - 12.2013
Senior Administrative Coordinator
American Physical Therapy Association
10.2008 - 06.2014
ASCP (Medical Lab Scientist)
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