The Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE) recently honored Research Administrator Michelle Slepian with its 2025 CISE Staff Excellence Award.
She was recognized for her contributions to the CISE community and for consistently going above and beyond her formal duties.
Slepian was selected from a pool of five staff members based on careful consideration by the CISE Awards Committee.
Slepian joined the department in 2021 and serves as its senior research administrator. She is a double Gator, having earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Florida. While a student, during her clinical career following graduation and in her role as a UF employee, research has been a central theme.
In her current role, Slepian administers grant expenditures after funding, overseeing amendments, monitoring spending and processing corrections to funded grants. In addition, she provides financial reports to departmental leadership.
“It has been rewarding to assist CISE, as faculty are appreciative of administrative efforts, and it’s a pleasure to support innovative research initiatives,” said Slepian. “My departmental colleagues are wonderful collaborators and colleagues. I couldn’t ask for a better group to work with on a daily basis.”
Interim Department Chair Patrick Traynor, Ph.D., underscored Slepian’s importance to the department.
“Michelle is one of the most crucial members of our research team. Her regular communications help to anticipate challenges in challenging contracts, keeping us always moving forward,” he said. “Quite simply, she makes it possible for my research team and many other research teams to achieve our best.”
Prabhat Mishra, Ph.D., serves as the CISE Awards Committee chair.