Circle Leaders

Circle leaders provide leadership and mentorship within the group, facilitating group meetings and discussion. Meet our 2022-2023 cohort of mentors:

Mia Bott

Mia is the Executive Director of Finance and Administration for Research Compliance. Mia started at BU in 2007, when the offices of Research and Research Compliance were in their infancy, and has been part of this group for her full 15 year tenure at BU. In her current role, she focuses primarily on budget development and monitoring as well as all HR components for her areas which includes over 200 positions. Having been very involved with the BUWorks implementation back in 2011, Mia worked one on one with Human Resources on testing of the Organizational Management components of the then new system. Because of this, Mia thinks of HR process as one of her areas of expertise.

Cristy McGoff

Cristy is the Assistant Director of the Safety and Quality Assurance Program in Research Compliance. Cristy has over 15 years in many areas of research compliance and research integrity, and began at BU in 2018. At BU, Cristy oversees the functions of Institutional Biosafety Committee, the Scientific Diving Research Safety Committee, the Radiation Safety Committee, and the Laboratory Safety Committee, supporting their related initiatives and policies, and by working with the staff of Environmental Health & Safety, Research Occupational Health, and other related offices as they relate to these safety committees. Cristy also serves as BU’s Deputy Research Integrity Officer. She also works with other areas of research compliance on quality assurance processes. Cristy values communication, streamlining, communication, and values teamwork among BU stakeholders, faculty, and staff in ensuring clarity and efficiency.

Lena Tamutiene

Lena is the Director of Finance and Administration for the Office of Research. Lena joined Boston University in 2000 as an Administrative Coordinator, Development & Alumni Relations.  She held several positions prior joining Office of Research in May 2021; these jobs are an Executive Assistant to the Director (DAR), Budget Analyst (Budget Office) and Director of Finance (Sargent College).  In her current role, Lena is responsible for managing day-to-day financial operations including procurement, accounting and reporting functions, travel and expense management and payroll/personnel administration. She prepares quarterly reports and provides an overview of business performance and financial results, works closely with Office of Research leadership on budget development.  Lena appreciates the chance to share budgetary knowledge and experience with her peers. 

Tom McMurry

Tom McMurry is a Director, Business Development  in BU’s Office of Technology Development (OTD), which manages intellectual property for the University and Boston Medical Center.   Since joining OTD in 2018, Tom has supported faculty, staff and students in their efforts to create positive impact from life science inventions.   Tom manages the invention disclosure process and subsequent technical assessments,  marketing analyses, and dialog with industry licensing partners.   In this role, he also engages with other BU stakeholders including Industry Engagement, Research Compliance, and Office of the General Counsel.  The customer support focus of Tom’s role makes him consider communication and project management as areas of core expertise.