Whitehead was recently featured as a guest expert on the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) Shop Talk podcast, which focused on NIH Common Forms, SciENcv and successful proposal submissions. The episode examined how research administrators can help investigators navigate changing federal requirements and prepare for the transition to system-generated forms.

“My perspective today really comes from managing workflows and supporting investigators through these changes in real time,” Whitehead said during the episode.

During the discussion, Whitehead spoke from the department-level perspective, drawing on 16 years of experience in research administration, pre-award operations, proposal development and compliance. She discussed the importance of proactive communication with faculty, maintaining updated ORCID iD and SciENcv profiles and understanding delegated access as research teams adapt to NIH Common Forms.

Within the department, Whitehead has also led initiatives to strengthen research support infrastructure. She is developing the DPHS Research Resource Hub, a centralized SharePoint-based platform designed to streamline proposal development resources, timelines, templates and faculty guidance. She also designed and led the department’s Pre-Award Foundations Cross-Training Series, a multi-session initiative focused on strengthening institutional knowledge across pre-award, post-award and finance operations.

Her national involvement extends across several research administration organizations. Whitehead was selected as a discussion group leader for the 2026 National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) Annual Meeting, where she will facilitate conversations focused on scaling pre-award success, dashboards and faculty relationship management.

She also serves as a proposal peer reviewer for SRAI and participates on the organization’s podcast committee, helping identify timely topics and speakers relevant to research administration professionals.

In addition, Whitehead was selected to serve on the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA) Job Task Analysis Task Force, contributing to the evaluation and advancement of national certification standards. She also serves on RACC’s CRA® Item Writing, Item Review and Exam Review Committees, supporting the development and quality assurance of certification examinations for research administrators nationwide.

Kathryn McCollister, Ph.D., professor and interim chair of the department, said Whitehead’s contributions continue to strengthen both the department and the broader field of research administration. "Simone is an exceptional asset to our department and to the broader research administration community. Her national visibility, from leading discussions at NCURA to shaping certification standards through RACC, reflects the caliber of talent we are proud to have in the department."

"Closer to home, her work building the department's Research Resource Hub and leading our Pre-Award Foundations Cross-Training Series has meaningfully strengthened our research infrastructure. Simone exemplifies what it means to be both a departmental leader and a national contributor, and I look forward to seeing the continued impact of her work," she added.

Margie Jimenez, M.A., CRA, assistant chair, also noted that Whitehead’s involvement reflects the department’s commitment to operational excellence and professional leadership in research administration.

“Simone consistently brings innovation, professionalism and a solutions-oriented mindset to everything she does,” Jimenez said. “Her national involvement not only strengthens her own expertise, but also elevates the level of support and strategic thinking within our department.”

Whitehead said involvement in national organizations allows her to stay connected to emerging practices across institutions while bringing that knowledge back to the department.

“Research administration is constantly evolving, and I’ve always enjoyed learning from colleagues across institutions and bringing that knowledge back to our department,” Whitehead said. “Being involved nationally has helped me continue growing professionally while also strengthening the support we provide to faculty and research teams at the University of Miami.”

Known for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to faculty support, Whitehead continues to focus on research development, cross-functional training and innovation in research administration while pursuing her Master of Public Administration degree at the University of Miami.

Written by Deycha Torres Hernández, published May 22, 2026.