Staff Spotlight: Nancy Devino

Nancy Devino, Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects in the School of Public Health, says she enjoys interacting with faculty and staff to help fund projects they’re passionate about.

When did you join the School of Public Health, and what do you enjoy about working here?
I started working for the School of Public Health in January 2025. I worked remotely until selling my house in suburban Houston, then moved to Atlanta. I enjoy the interaction with faculty and staff to help fund the projects they’re passionate about. I also really enjoy being part of a team of research administrators from colleges and schools across GSU who share their knowledge and expertise to address shared challenges.

What’s a typical workday for you like?
I’m a morning person, so a typical day starts before 7, with a short walk and MARTA ride to GSU. A typical workday is pretty routine—emails, meetings, and working on proposals, awards or internal process/how-to documents. The subject matter variety makes every day different. One day I’m working on awards about air quality and Alzheimer's disease, and the next day it’s statistical analysis and tobacco control. I try to wrap up the day by looking ahead, seeing what meetings are on my calendar for the next day or what proposal/report deadlines are coming up in the next few days.

What about your work are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of building out a sponsored projects team that’s really dedicated to supporting faculty grant activity. One of the post-award positions was vacant when I joined SPH, and we successfully hired someone to fill that role. A pre-award vacancy was recently filled by someone who assisted with proposal preparation for several months last fall. Together with a long-serving post-award team member, the four of us have the experience, motivation and research administration skills to do an amazing job of bringing in new awards and managing current ones.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
When I’m not at work, I balance outdoor activities with indoor hobbies. Biking and hiking are among my favorites and I’m enjoying getting reacquainted with favorite trails after eight years in Houston. Hobbies include just about any craft that gives me the satisfaction of making something with my own hands, usually involving fabric and a sewing machine for at least part of it. Quilts, pillows, wall hangings, and tote bags are usually on the list, as gifts for friends and family.