The University of Texas at El Paso's (UTEP) Research, Evaluation and Assessment Services Center (REAS Center) has become a powerhouse behind securing over $100 million in grants and contributing to the research prowess of the university. Established in 2013 to serve the growing needs of faculty and graduate students for evaluation services in grant proposals, the center has since expanded to evaluate 27 active projects worth over $70 million in funding.
REAS is on a mission to, not only support research projects through effective evaluations but also to deeply invest in student and faculty development. They offer free assistance to develop evaluation plans for grant proposals, and for those projects that find success, they conduct evaluations for a fee. An integral part of their services is maintaining a directory of regional evaluators to connect the UTEP research community with top-tier support. "The REAS team assists with data collection, including surveys and interviews with students, faculty and stakeholders," said Karina C. Canaba, director of COURI, as per UTEP News.
Beyond crunching numbers and offering evaluation expertise, REAS is stepping up to also mentor students, provide financial support, and impart hands-on research experience. These efforts are framing a collaborative learning environment, where students can gain invaluable research skills, create professional networks and prepare for their future careers. "REAS is a transformative center that equips our students with the knowledge, experience and confidence to excel in research and beyond," said Guadalupe Corral, Ph.D., REAS Center Director, as obtained by UTEP News.
For faculty like Wen-Yee Lee, Ph.D., professor of chemistry and biochemistry, REAS has become an indispensable asset. "As a scientist, I do not have the skills to effectively assess my projects," Lee told UTEP News. "Without REAS, we would not have had the capability or ability to conduct proper assessment. We are very fortunate to have this kind of service."
