Research Development & Support Team
Work with our team to identify and secure funding from a variety of sources, including federal grants and industry partnerships.
Meet Our Team
Leigh Botner
Leigh Botner serves as Director of Research Development and Support at UofL, facilitating the development and submission of large-scale, complex research proposals to external funding agencies. In this role, she identifies strategic funding opportunities, oversees the University's limited submissions process, administers Office of Research and Innovation internal funding programs and facilitates cross-campus grantsmanship training for faculty researchers
Botner joined UofL in 2020, and has more than 30 years of experience in academic research administration, including 15 years dedicated to research development. Through her longstanding involvement with NORDP, she has contributed to advancing the profession through leadership, mentorship, and service; helping it grow from a small initiative into a nationally and internationally recognized program that supports the development of research professionals worldwide.
Cecilia Peredo
Cecilia Peredo is the Proposal Development Manager, partnering with faculty and research leaders to advance large-scale, strategically important funding proposals that align with institutional priorities. She provides proposal development support by guiding planning efforts, fostering collaboration, interpreting sponsor requirements and strengthening proposal content to enhance competitiveness.
With more than 25 years of experience in grant development and research administration, Peredo brings expertise in proposal development for federal agencies, foundations, corporations, and community organizations across higher education, nonprofit, healthcare and community development settings.
Cecilia is passionate about helping faculty and research leaders develop competitive funding opportunities and advance transformative research.
Janet Johnson
Janet Johnson is a Data Analyst, responsible for compiling university data on extramural proposals submitted and awards received by faculty, students, and staff to identify trends and support decision-making.
With more than three decades of experience supporting the University of Louisville's research enterprise, she has been responsible for reporting and analyzing institutional data on extramural proposal submissions and awarded funding since 1990. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning with a track in Training and Development and is most passionate about providing accurate, consistent data and seeing how research has grown over the years.