Full Name
Caryn Knutsen
Job Title
Director, Research and Grants Management
Organization
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Speaker Bio
I am a tech savvy leader of both people and projects, with a proven record in strategic planning and program development related to research and grants administration; delivering successful projects; leading and managing teams and individuals; and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders across all levels of academia, industry, non-profit, and government.
Currently, I am responsible for the managing the business processes for the National MS Society's sponsored research and training programs, that covers a portfolio of $30-40 million per year. In this role, I manage the grants administration team within the Society's Research Department and I define and establish organizational policies and procedures for grants administration. I am also the systems administrator for the Society's grants administration database. Prior to joining the National MS Society, I served as a head of the measurement and technology (M&T) division for The Human Project at New York University (NYU), working closely with The Human Project chief scientist to finalize the datasets to be gathered; finalize the functional requirements for data collection; coordinate with the product design team to build the data collection technologies; oversee quality assurance; organize periodic reviews of the project's M&T approach with all stakeholders; and work with internal teams to align the M&T approach with other priorities (study population, privacy and security, academic agenda, etc.). Previously at NYU, I was the Program Manager for Research Strategies and Activities at NYU’s Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP). In this capacity I worked with CUSP leadership on the the development and management of CUSP’s research portfolio; and I worked with faculty and researchers on project and initiative planning; writing, editing, and preparing project documentation. Prior to joining NYU, I spent seven years working in DC for the National Academy of Sciences’ Board on Physics and Astronomy, where I coordinated and facilitated multiple federal scientific advisory committees.
Currently, I am responsible for the managing the business processes for the National MS Society's sponsored research and training programs, that covers a portfolio of $30-40 million per year. In this role, I manage the grants administration team within the Society's Research Department and I define and establish organizational policies and procedures for grants administration. I am also the systems administrator for the Society's grants administration database. Prior to joining the National MS Society, I served as a head of the measurement and technology (M&T) division for The Human Project at New York University (NYU), working closely with The Human Project chief scientist to finalize the datasets to be gathered; finalize the functional requirements for data collection; coordinate with the product design team to build the data collection technologies; oversee quality assurance; organize periodic reviews of the project's M&T approach with all stakeholders; and work with internal teams to align the M&T approach with other priorities (study population, privacy and security, academic agenda, etc.). Previously at NYU, I was the Program Manager for Research Strategies and Activities at NYU’s Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP). In this capacity I worked with CUSP leadership on the the development and management of CUSP’s research portfolio; and I worked with faculty and researchers on project and initiative planning; writing, editing, and preparing project documentation. Prior to joining NYU, I spent seven years working in DC for the National Academy of Sciences’ Board on Physics and Astronomy, where I coordinated and facilitated multiple federal scientific advisory committees.
Speaking At
