Media Contact: Xoel Cardenas, Sr. Communications Specialist, Office of the Vice President for Research. xoel.cardenas@utah.edu
The Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR) at the University of Utah has named Sara Salmon as Director of the Large Infrastructure Funding Team (LIFT).
Salmon officially began this new role on September 16, 2024. She reports to Dr. Jakob Jensen, Associate Vice President for Research.
“I am thrilled and honored to be named the inaugural director of LIFT,” said Salmon. “This is an exciting opportunity to lead a team dedicated to expanding the research portfolio of the U. LIFT supports program and center grants across the institution and helps to build bridges between faculty and large, capacity-building funding opportunities. In partnership with exceptional faculty, we are elevating the work of the U to reach new heights and make significant societal impacts.”
As LIFT Director, Salmon will play a key leadership role in the strategic planning and execution of the Large Infrastructure Funding Team (LIFT), a campus-wide grant-development unit designed to build and support response teams for center, program, and other large-scale, interdisciplinary grant opportunities. These grants typically require multiple components such as multi-university partnerships, industry partnerships, interdisciplinary collaboration, and expertise in curating a thriving and effective research environment.
“LIFT launched in August 2023 and had an amazing year,” said Jensen. “For the first year, LIFT was a team of experienced grant writers and graphic designers. Adding a director positions LIFT for exciting growth. I am elated that Director Salmon has joined LIFT and I know she will guide the unit to all new heights.”
About Sara Salmon
Sara Salmon is a research development professional with extensive experience in proposal development, corporate and foundation relations, and project management. Most recently serving as a Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at the University of Utah, Sara provides comprehensive proposal development support to investigators across campus and manages strategic relationships between foundations and the U. Previously, Sara worked in program management and research development in the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences Research Unit. While in the Research Unit, Sara supported research efforts within the Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center, the Driving Out Diabetes Initiative, and the COVID-19 research response. She played a pivotal role in developing multi-investigator grant proposals and organizing community-building activities. She also led strategic planning processes and managed an internal seed grant program. Sara began her tenure at the U in 2016 at the Huntsman Cancer Institute as a Health Educator, where she developed a patient navigation program for young adults with cancer. Before joining the U, she was the Assistant Director of the WHH Foundation, a small family foundation in Pasadena, California, where she established strategic goals and managed grantee relationships.
Sara holds a Master of Arts in Communication from Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Illinois. Her dedication to excellence has been recognized with several awards, including the Health Academics District Staff Excellence Award from the University of Utah. Sara is actively involved in service and professional organizations, previously holding leadership roles in committees focused on belonging and access, as well as public health education.
For more information on LIFT or to submit a request for support, click here.