RTI Administration Mission Statement
The administrative group of the RNA Therapeutics Institute collaborates to support our researchers so that they can focus on research. Making use of a wide range of experience and expertise, we provide professional and comprehensive support in management, financial and grant accounting, human resources, lab operations, scientific writing, outreach, and individual assistance. We are committed to building a work environment based on integrity, civility, and respect by recognizing and welcoming our strengths and diversity.
Our Staff
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Darryl Conte Jr., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Research development and science writingDarryl works as a scientific writing coach and editor, helping RTI faculty, students, and postdocs develop successful grant proposals and manuscripts. Darryl earned his B.S. in Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the State University of New York at Albany. Darryl discovered and cultivated his passion for helping others write well while he was a postdoc and then research faculty in Dr. Craig Mello’s laboratory. When not writing or editing grants or papers, Darryl enjoys working with his wife on their hobby farm near Glens Falls, NY.
Office Location: AS4-1059
Office Phone: 774-455-3690 -
Laura Cummings
Administrative AssistantLaura comes to the RTI with a diverse background. Recently, working in a fast paced, multinational office coordinating and collaborating with outside vendors, and assisting in both domestic and international travel arrangements for local executives and international visitors. Laura will assisting RTI staff with several administrative initiatives. Outside of work, Laura enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, and having an active lifestyle in the outdoors with her 3 dogs.
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Mary Beth Dziewietin
Administrative CoordinatorWith a professional background ranging from curating nineteenth-century manuscripts to freelance writing to clerking in an ICU, Mary Beth brings a variety of skills to her role as administrative coordinator for Anastasia Khvorova and Jon Watts and their labs. Since 2014, Mary Beth has managed their meetings, money, and most other non-science work; as Anastasia promised, the job is never boring. Outside the office, Mary Beth enjoys reading, hiking, and being with her family.
Office Location: AS4-1046
Office Phone: 774-455-3781 -
Tiffanie Gardner, CAPM
HHMI Administrative CoordinatorTiffanie Gardner has supported Phil Zamore, Chair of the RTI, and his lab members since 2002. As Phil's HHMI Administrative Coordinator, her major responsibilities include calendar management, budget management, assisting with both UMass & HHMI hiring and onboarding, grant management, special projects, and other administrative duties. She is also a Notary Public and a Certified Associate in Project Management. She has been a part of the UMass community since her early teens when she began as a volunteer in Volunteer Services and then as a temp through the Temprite program.
Office Location: AS4-2045
Office Phone: 508-856-6286
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Amie Goodspeed
Administrative CoordinatorAmie began work as an Administrative Coordinator in the RTI in February 2019. Prior to joining UMMS she was an Office Manager for a telecom company for 13 years. Amie supported the executive team and managed the company's travel and expense program. She currently supports the Sontheimer and Xue Labs as well as other departmental administrative duties.
Office Location: AS5-2046
Office Phone: 774-455-4322
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Nikki Grace
HHMI Administrative CoordinatorNikki has over twenty years combined executive level administrative experience. Prior to joining the Mello Lab, she spent ten years working for the Dean of the School of Nursing at MCPHS University where she fell in love with academia. Nikki thrives in a cultured work environment that embraces transparency, values contributions, inspires employee autonomy, promotes a team atmosphere and communicates purpose and passion.
Office Location: AS5-2047
Office Phone: 508-856-2856 -
Emily Mohn Haberlin, Ph.D.
Scientific WriterEmily earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Providence College in 2010, and her Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry from Tufts University in 2016. Before joining the RTI, Emily worked as a postdoc at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging in Boston, where she studied the effects of dietary bioactive compounds on vision and cognition. Emily’s scholarly activities as a student and postdoc sparked her passion for communicating science. In the RTI, Emily provides one-on-one grant and manuscript writing support to students, postdocs, and faculty. She also hosts writing accountability groups, informational seminars, and workshops to help students and postdocs prepare fellowship applications.
Office Location: AS4-1055
Office Phone: 774-455-4683 -
Angela Messmer-Blust, Ph.D.
Senior Scientific Advisor, Assistant ProfessorDr. Angela Messmer-Blust studied cell motility during her graduate studies at the University of Toledo where she received her PhD (2009). She began her postdoctoral research at the CardioVascular Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School under Jian Li, investigating transcriptional regulation in diabetes and obesity. Following her postdoctoral studies, she held editorial positions at the Journal of Visualized Experiments, and later joined Cell Press as the director of scientific conferences from 2012 - 2017. In 2017, Dr. Messmer-Blust joined the faculty of the RNA Therapeutics Institute as Assistant Professor and Senior Scientific Advisor where she develops and manages departmental initiatives including the annual scientific symposium and educational outreach in the Worcester area.
Office Location: AS4-1057
Office Phone: 774-455-4587
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Stacey O'Neil
Project CoordinatorStacey has over 20 years of experience in executive administrative support and project & event management. Stacey joined the RTI in 2017 and has been with the University of Massachusetts for 9 years, previously working in business operations at UMassOnline in the President's Office. She coordinates departmental initiatives including the annual scientific symposium, RTI seminar series, faculty searches, human resources, website updates and also provides support for the Grigorieff Lab.
Office Location: AS4-2045
Office Phone: 774-455-4682
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Ann Powers
Administrative CoordinatorAnn brings over 15 years of administrative planning, coordinating, reporting and management experience to the RTI. Ann's mission at UMMS is to perform complex and varied duties associated with the coordination of the departmental administrative functions while supporting three tenure/tenure-track faculty and their respective labs.
Office Location: AS4-1046
Office Phone: 774-455-4205 -
Kathy Sloan
Administrative CoordinatorKathy comes to the RTI with a variety of skills including program coordination, event, budget and grant management in academia. She values being able to make an impact while fostering collaboration within the team. Outside of work, Kathy is a founding member of a local non-profit, she writes when times allows, teaches meditation and spends time with her three children. She will support the Pai and Li labs.
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James Thompson
Senior Academic AdministratorOffice Location: AS4-2059
Office Phone: 508-856-8864 -
Hongyan Wang, Ph.D.
Research Operations ManagerHongyan has many years of experience in Molecular Biology research and she is well equipped to oversee the daily operation of labs. Hongyan is responsible for maintenance, management, and training of all departmental equipment and facilities. She also works closely with Facility Engineering, Enviromental Health and Safety, and Radiation Safety to ensure department facilities and laboratories are in compliance with federal, state and institutional regulation.
Office Location: AS4-1045
Office Phone: 774-455-3684