Dr. Tracy Ippolito, a double alumna of the School of Communication (M.S. ’20, Ph.D. ‘23), recently started a new role as Program Director of Strategic Research Advancement in the Office of Research at Florida State University.

Ippolito works with faculty to form, develop, and manage research proposal teams that go on to conduct highly collaborative research once their proposals are funded.

“One of the most exciting things I’ve been doing since taking on this position centers around Team Science, which was the subject of my dissertation,” said Ippolito. She is an advocate for incorporating Team Science principles within the Florida Research Development Alliance and the National Organization of Research Development Professionals. Currently, she is developing a curriculum on Team Science aimed at helping faculty enhance their collaborative research skills.

Her journey to this role began with positions in public relations for a bank, a non-profit, and eventually, a hospital, where she developed a passion for science communication and effective healthcare communication. The biggest challenge she has overcome along the way is imposter syndrome. She said, “Getting out from under it requires that I challenge negative self-talk and confide in others when it comes up because it’s empowering to realize that I am not alone in having those types of feelings or thoughts.”

“As a doctoral student, my research focused on interpersonal communication in the context of collaborative research teams,” said Ippolito. “My work in the FSU Office of Research allows me to apply the knowledge I gained during my time in CCI and to share communication and Team Science tools with FSU research teams that will strengthen their research competitiveness.”