Office of Research Initiatives Directory

Sharon has combined experience in business strategy and technical research. Sharon is the Associate Vice President for the Office of Research Initiatives and Development reporting to the Executive Vice President for Research at Columbia University. Her responsibility is to drive research across the University fostering interdisciplinary research. Previously Sharon served as the Executive Director of Strategic Programs at the Data Science Institute. Prior to joining Columbia University in 2014, Sharon spent 11 years at BAE Systems identifying and pursuing new business opportunities in leading edge technology. She began her career at Bell Laboratories managing and coordinating material characterization as well as developing new and innovative tools. Sharon moved on to become the strategic marketing manager at Lucent/Agere with a variety of responsibilities, from leading the technical evaluation of merger and acquisition candidates to defining product planning for the optical networking group and components. Sharon received a B.S. in physics from State University of New York at Binghamton and an M.S. in physics from Stevens Institute of Technology.

Sharon has served as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the CHIST-ERA and the Tulsa Innovation Labs Leadership Council, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for Data Science and AI (ADSA). Sharon has over 40 peer reviewed publications and 4 patents.

R. Yamir Gomez Carrasco is the Senior Program Manager for the Office of Research Initiatives and Development (ORID) within the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research at Columbia University. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Research Initiatives and Development, Yamir manages ORID’s programmatic initiatives, supports the development and execution of research funding opportunities, and oversees the office’s operational, financial, and administrative functions.

Previously, Yamir was a Project Officer in the Project Management Unit at Columbia World Projects under the Executive Vice President for Columbia Global, where they led the management of faculty-awarded grants from inception to completion. They provided strategic programmatic guidance, ensuring projects aligned with institutional policies and funding agreements. Working closely with project leads, Yamir refined project plans, tracked key deliverables, and drove measurable progress.

Before joining Columbia, Yamir served as a Program Director and Research Program Manager at New York University, overseeing federally and city-funded research and service interventions focused on HIV and substance use. Yamir holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science and Ethnic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and was recognized as a Rising Leader by the White House in 2024.

Greg Culler is the Executive Director of Research Partnerships and Initiatives within the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR). Greg works across disciplines, schools, and campuses to foster interdisciplinary research collaborations and manages partnerships with federal agencies and labs, industry, and other academic institutions. Additionally, he oversees all aspects of institutional nominations for limited submission programs, EVPR seed funding programs, and program analysis focused on Columbia's success securing extramural research funding. Prior to joining the Office of Research Initiatives and Development in 2007, Greg was a project management consultant with Fortress Investment Group (2006 – 2007), and Lord Cultural Resources (2005 – 2006). Previously, he was a Project Manager in the Columbia University Oral History Research Office (2002 – 2005) overseeing collection and archiving of oral history interviews for the September 11 Projects. He holds an MA from Columbia University, and a BA from Arizona State University.

Casey Rollins is the Director of Research Initiatives within the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research. Reporting to the Executive Director of Research Partnerships and Initiatives, Casey partners with teams of scientific, engineering, and biomedical research faculty to develop innovative and high-impact grant proposals that support the University’s long-term research vision.

Prior to joining Columbia, Casey was the Project Manager of Compliance for Charles H. Greenthal Management, one of the largest privately owned residential management and leasing firms in New York metropolitan area. During her time working in compliance she ensured that the over 250 properties in the portfolio were closely monitored to adhere to new and existing laws and regulations.

Prior to her time at Charles H. Greenthal Management, Casey was a Graduate Academic Advisor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University working with graduate level students from admission through graduation across nineteen degree programs including aeronautics, aerospace engineering, systems engineering, unmanned aircraft systems, cybersecurity management, human factors, logistics and supply chain management, and other degree programs.

Casey holds a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies from Mississippi College and a Master of Science in Leadership from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Brittney Destin (pronouns: she/her) is the Associate Director, Alliance Management within the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research. Reporting to the Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, Brittney manages and develops programming across all schools, colleges, and disciplines that encourage interdisciplinary research. Brittney is especially impassioned to use her position and resources to advance equity and inclusion of minoritized communities within Columbia’s research community. Prior to joining ORID, Brittney worked in program management related to clinical research and regulatory affairs throughout Columbia University Medical Center. She has also consulted large healthcare corporations and developed community projects that sought to deliver and sustain effective strategies that increased equity, improved access to quality healthcare, and fostered talent in the hospital workforce; particularly those from marginalized communities. Brittney received her Masters in Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health and serves as an inaugural member of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC), Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Committee.