Professional development can create an impact that extends far beyond a single conference or individual. As the 2025 recipient of CITI Program’s Dr. Paul Braunschweiger Scholarship, Nayana Joogoolsingh attended the 2026 SRAI Annual Meeting, where she gained new perspectives, built meaningful professional connections, and brought back insights she can apply and share at her institution. In this reflection essay, Nayana shares what the experience meant to her and the lessons she will carry forward.
Navigating Change Through Connection and Community
By Nayana Joogoolsingh, 2025 Dr. Paul Braunschweiger Scholarship Awardee
“E Ho‘omau: Riding the Tides of Opportunity” was the theme of the 2026 Society of Research Administration International (SRAI) Annual Meeting, the conference I had the privilege of attending as the recipient of the 2025 Dr. Paul Braunschweiger Scholarship, awarded by the CITI Program. When I first selected SRAI as my conference of choice, I had no idea where the event would be held, let alone what the theme would become. E hoʻomau, in Hawaiian, means to persevere, to continue, and to move forward with resilience and purpose. For me, that message could not have come at a better time, landing with deep meaning both professionally and personally.
As many of us know firsthand, life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges at us, forcing us to adapt and ride the waves, no matter how rough or stagnant they might feel. Research compliance is no different. Research itself is a journey through unpredictable waters, constantly shifting alongside new regulations, ethical considerations, institutional priorities, and evolving expectations from sponsors and federal agencies. Much like a skilled navigator, research administrators and compliance professionals have to constantly read the conditions, anticipate headwinds, and chart a course that keeps both research participants safe and the integrity of our work intact.
As a relatively new Research Compliance Officer, attending the SRAI Annual Meeting provided me with something invaluable: a genuine sense of connection and an opportunity for networking. During seasons of change and uncertainty, conferences like SRAI offer a safe harbor where we can talk openly with people who truly understand the work, exchange real-world advice, and feel reassured that we aren’t navigating these complex situations alone.
Throughout the conference, I engaged with research administrators, compliance professionals, institutional leaders, and subject matter experts from across the country. These conversations reinforced the reality that while institutions often face similar challenges, there is tremendous value in learning how each organization approaches these hurdles to determine a plausible solution for their own institution. Some discussions focused on balancing compliance with operational efficiency, while others centered on emerging regulatory expectations, workforce development, and strategies to foster ethical research cultures. Each interaction provided a unique perspective that broadened my understanding of the research administration landscape.
The Value of Learning Together
Building on those peer-to-peer conversations, one of the highlights of the week was being in the room with representatives from federal agencies like the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), alongside experienced faculty from across the country. That kind of real-time interaction cannot be replicated over a screen. Being able to ask questions directly, hear about emerging federal priorities straight from the source, and engage in candid conversations gave me insights I will rely on for a long time. Beyond the agency updates, if I had to pick the biggest takeaway from the educational sessions, it would be the vital role adaptability and collaboration play in our field. The research landscape is moving quickly, driven by new technologies, shifting funding streams, and growing demands for transparency. The institutions that thrive are the ones that don’t just react to changes, but actively prepare for them.
Building Compliance Through Relationships
A common phrase kept coming up in the sessions I attended: research takes a village, and compliance with federal mandates is not the job of a single department. As someone responsible for compliance oversight, that philosophy deeply resonated with me. My goal is not just to enforce rules from an isolated office; it is to build strong partnerships across campus so we can adapt to changes together. That mindset reinforced another core truth: relationship-building is one of our best compliance strategies. Policies and written procedures are necessary, but a sustainable compliance program runs on trust, good communication, and shared goals. Whether working with principal investigators, study coordinators, or institutional leadership, compliance professionals do our best work when we serve as educators, advisors, and allies. SRAI gave me practical tools and fresh ideas to help frame our office not as a hurdle or a bottleneck, but as an approachable resource.
Reflecting on the Bigger Picture
In addition to practical compliance strategies, the conference also gave me a chance to step back and reflect on the bigger picture through an inspiring speech by Kamuela Enos, Director of the Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation at the University of Hawaiʻi System. Speaking about the historical and ongoing challenges faced by Native Hawaiians, Kamuela reminded us how important it is to look beyond our immediate daily tasks. It is easy for research administration to feel strictly administrative or behind-the-scenes, but when you stop to consider the real-world impact of the research we support, it brings a fresh sense of purpose to the job. Reflecting on that broader mission makes me even more mindful of the incredible support that allowed me to be there in the first place.
An Opportunity With Lasting Impact
I am writing this reflection with deep gratitude for the CITI Program Scholarship Committee. Being chosen as the recipient of the Dr. Paul Braunschweiger Scholarship was both humbling and affirming. Beyond easing a financial burden, it felt like a genuine vote of confidence in my career and my potential to contribute to the research community. Like many organizations, our team works within tight budgets, and we have to make sure professional development opportunities are shared fairly across the department. As someone who cares deeply about opening doors for others, I often find it hard to prioritize investing in my own growth. This scholarship removed that obstacle and gave me access to an experience I might not have had otherwise.
Carrying the Experience Forward
The benefits of this award will not end with my attendance. The insights, benchmarking resources, and peer connections I brought back will directly serve our institution as we refine our
compliance processes and educational outreach. Having a national network of colleagues to lean on means our team can exchange practical solutions whenever new regulatory challenges pop up. Looking ahead, I see my role as both a continuous learner and a steward of what I have gained. I plan to share these takeaways with my team, integrate best practices into our daily operations, and pay this experience forward by encouraging early-career colleagues to pursue their own growth opportunities. Professional development does not happen in isolation; it relies on mentorship, community, and a shared commitment to helping each other succeed. The conference theme, E Ho‘omau, will remain a lasting reminder that resilience and purpose will always help us navigate changing tides. There will always be new regulations and unexpected challenges in research compliance, but there will also always be opportunities to learn, connect, and grow.
I am truly grateful to the CITI Program and the SRAI community for this opportunity, and I am profoundly grateful and committed to carrying those lessons forward as I continue to serve my institution, my colleagues, and the research community.
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