The Cayuse community is thrilled to shine its Champion Spotlight on @Sharla Miles, Research Compliance Specialist in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at Sam Houston State University. Keep reading below to get to know Sharla better!
How do you interact with Cayuse products on a daily basis?
We have been Cayuse customers since 2010 when we launched 424/Proposals. We have since implemented IRB/Human Ethics (HE) in 2018, IACUC/Animal Oversight (AO) in 2019, and most recently SP, Outside Interests, and IBC/Hazard Safety (HS) last year. We are in the process of finalizing our implementation of Fund Manager and Effort this year (2024).
As the Research Compliance Specialist for SHSU, I continually monitor system updates, troubleshoot issues, manage data and user access, and conduct periodic audits for HE, AO, and HS. Additionally, I provide administrative support to the IRB, the IACUC, and the IBC to manage submissions, meetings, and approvals through HE, AO, and HS.
What do you see as the hottest trends in research today?
Since much of our research with human participants involves collecting survey data, I imagine Artificial Intelligence-powered insights will be one of the trends to watch in 2024. I can see AI playing a key role in streamlining data analysis leading our researchers to extract the full potential of their data while providing them with a more profound understanding of complex issues within their research focus.
What do you consider most promising in the era of big data?
I think that there will be an exponential growth of big data volumes, and this will be greatly impacted by AI and machine learning. Since privacy surrounding big data will remain a hot button issue, and with the ever-increasing possibility of cybersecurity attacks, I think we will see a rise in the need for a Chief Data Officer at many organizations.
How can an organization stay relevant five years from now?
I think to remain relevant five years from now, organizations must be willing to continue providing flexible working arrangements in an effort to retain great employees. In a post-COVID world, this will continue to be an attractive offering to many employees. Additionally, effective communication with its employees is a key ingredient for successfully growing and moving forward as an organization. As an educational organization, this effective communication will be important to know when it will be necessary to make some adjustments to our strategic plan, so that we continually provide our students with the best course offerings that will best meet their needs.
What app would be hard for you to live without?
I could not operate effectively without all the apps that support a remote/hybrid environment (Zoom, Outlook, Teams, Duo Mobile); however, as a way to relax after a stressful day at work, I could not do without music apps like Amazon Music and Spotify, and I definitely could not do without my Wordscapes app—it is a fun word puzzle game that helps me relax while sipping a cup of Sleepy Time tea in the evening.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Since completing my M.Ed. in 2012, I taught myself to knit via YouTube instructional videos. I have been knitting for a little more than 10 years, and I love it! My favorite projects to knit are socks for my family. Additionally, to unwind after a long day at work, I enjoy taking long walks with my mom, listening to a plethora of audio books, and I have recently started playing piano again. Of course, my favorite music to play is Christmas music!
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
I would love to meet Raphael Sanzio da Urbino, because he was my favorite Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance period. I was always intrigued by the symbolism and perspective of many of the frescoes he painted, so much so that I completed an Independent study of Raphael’s School of Athens during my undergraduate studies at Baylor University. Doing my research on this remarkable masterpiece was the highlight of my time at Baylor!
Thank you, Sharla, for being a Cayuse Champion and sharing your thoughts!