The Cayuse community is thrilled to shine its Champion Spotlight on @Sherrie Hixon, Ed.D., CRA, and Director of Strategic Research Initiatives at California State University, Northridge. Keep reading below to get to know Sherrie better.
How do you interact with Cayuse products on a daily basis?
We implemented SP, 424/Proposals S2S, IRB/Human Ethics in 2015-16, and added Hazard Safety in 2020. As the Cayuse product manager for CSUN, I am monitoring system updates, troubleshooting issues, managing data and user access,, and conducting periodic audits across all modules. I also use Data Connect for monthly reporting and special requests for information from campus leadership. I provide administrative support to the Institutional Biosafety Committee to manage submissions, meetings, and approvals through HS, and in my work with campus Centers and Institutes and other faculty, it's important to have information on their research and funded projects easily accessible to understand their challenges and be their advocate for change.
What do you see as the hottest trends in research today?
I like seeing the federal investments in US innovation, like smart manufacturing, solutions to climate change, and supply chain ecosystems that keep the US competitive on a global scale, but also contribute to our communities becoming more resilient to disasters and epidemics.
What do you consider most promising in the era of big data?
It has to be AI and machine learning. I have to admit, some potential applications cause me some anxiety, but I am hopeful the technology will be developed in ways to make the world better, especially in healthcare and disease diagnosis.
How can an organization stay relevant five years from now?
I think it's critical for organizations to allow for flexible work environments in order to retain staff. I think employees in general are more mobile and willing to change their organizations to find balance in work and life and we have to respond to that shift.
What app would be hard for you to live without?
I could not do my work without all the apps that support a remote/hybrid environment (Zoom, Cayuse, Box, Teams), but I am trying to spend more quality time with CALM for meditation and music apps like iTunes, Pandora, and Spotify to persuade me to listen to new artists.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Since I completed my Ed.D. in 2022, I practice more yoga, take longer walks with my shepherd-husky rescue, and look for more opportunities to explore my abstract photography. I recently had a couple of my pieces included in an exhibit at an art gallery in Ventura, which was exciting for me. I also play a lot of card games with my husband while watching Dodger games and typically win ~60% of the time! I'm a tiny bit competitive!
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
I would say Jacques Cousteau, because he did so much to spark interest in ocean exploration and deep sea diving. I was always fascinated by the documentaries he produced, the stunning underwater photography, and the way he exposed the wildlife that lived so far beneath the surface. In another life, I would be his videographer!
Thank you, Sherrie, for being a Cayuse Champion and sharing your thoughts!