Advancing Research at WSU
The Office of Research has a dedicated team of research professionals focused on advancing research across WSU by supporting faculty proposal development, engaging in strategic planning for research initiatives, and developing collaborations with community, industry and research partners.
Meet the Team
Chad Kruger
Associate Vice President for Research Advancement and Strategy
cekruger@wsu.edu
(509) 335-4605
Chad Kruger joined the Office of Research in January 2026. He works closely with the Vice President for Research to shape long-term strategy and lead system-wide efforts that expand WSU’s research impact through partnerships, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and research development programs. He also oversees the Office of Research team and its internal funding initiatives. Chad brings extensive expertise in sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, energy systems, and has led major USDA, EPA, DOE, and state-funded research projects.
Jonathan Male
Director of Energy Systems and Research Support
jonathan.male@wsu.edu
(509) 335-0904
Jonathan Male joined the Office of Research in February 2023. He supports WSU’s portfolio of energy-related research and advises Office of Research leadership on strategic planning for energy systems and sustainable aviation research. He also helps strengthen research collaborations and advance strategic initiatives across the university’s energy enterprise. Jonathan brings extensive expertise in energy research, including leadership roles at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office. He also serves as co-director of the WSU–PNNL Bioproducts Institute and as adjunct faculty in WSU’s Biological Systems Engineering Department.
Donna Gerardi
Director of Research Engagement and External Partnerships
donna.gerardi@wsu.edu
(509) 335-5581
Donna M. Gerardi joined the Office of Research in April (?) 2026. She leads WSU’s efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships with industry, federal agencies, and federally funded research and development centers. Donna serves as the university’s primary liaison to national research laboratories, including Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and oversees initiatives that promote collaboration through joint projects, workshops, and formal agreements.
Cheryl Dykstra-Aiello, Ph.D.
Research Development Specialist
c.dykstra-aiello@wsu.edu
(509) 335-1848
Cheryl Dykstra-Aiello joined the Office of Research in October 2023. She supports the Office’s research advancement efforts in a variety of ways, including proposal consultation and development, facilitation of educational and training opportunities to enhance WSU researchers’ proposal writing success, and researching appropriate funding sponsors and collaborative partnerships for WSU’s faculty.
Lydia Baxter-Howard, M.S.
Proposal Development Specialist
lnbaxterpotter@wsu.edu
(509) 335-3822
Lydia Baxter-Howard joined the Office of Research May 2024. Her role includes supporting faculty with all aspects of the pre-award process of proposal development: from finding tailored funding sources and opportunities, to timeline and collaborative prospect management, to proposal consultation and editing. During the academic year she facilitates educational and training opportunities for faculty who are interested in learning more about the proposal writing and award process, or who desire to hone their proposal writing skills.
Julie Padowski
Faculty Fellow – Water and Environment
julie.padowski@wsu.edu
(509) 335-8539
Julie Padowski joined the Office of Research in July 2026, where she supports faculty throughout the pre-award proposal development process, including identifying funding opportunities, coordinating timelines and collaborations, and providing proposal consultation and editing. Her primary focus is on wildfire, environmental, and water-related research. Padowski’s research centers on water resources management and drinking water system resilience, with interests spanning water demand forecasting, wildfire impacts on drinking water systems, the food-energy-water nexus, and Washington water policy. She has also conducted research on municipal water availability and the effects of urban water demand on local and regional water vulnerability.
Emily Brashear
Faculty Research Development Specialist
emily.brashear@wsu.edu
(509) 335-7266
Emily Brashear joined the Office of Research in January of 2016 . She is the point of contact for all funding training and requests, which include the limited submission process. She also manages the New Faculty Seed Grant program, Natural Resources Conservation Fund, and other internal award programs. Among other events, Emily facilitates Information Sessions.
Shelly Bradley
Program & Administrative Coordinator
shelly.bradley@wsu.edu
(509) 335-5526
Shelly Bradley joined the Office of Research in March of 2017 . She provides administrative support across a variety of functions within the Office of Research. Shelly manages the Distinguished Graduate Research Program (DGRP), which gives WSU doctoral students the opportunity to spend two years conducting research with an advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). She also coordinates joint appointments between WSU and PNNL, helping strengthen research collaboration between the two institutions.
William Damitio, M.A.
Research and Administrative Support Specialist
william.damitio@wsu.edu
(509) 335-0510
Will Damitio joined the Office of Research in February 2023. He supports the Office of Research’s advancement efforts in a number of ways, including data analysis, communications, and event support.
Contact Us
Are you looking for funding? Not sure how to apply for a grant? Do you need someone to review and provide feedback on your grant proposal? Contact us!
Our team’s email address is or.orap.servicedesk@wsu.edu.