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The Many Hats of Fedora Sutton-Butler, Ph.D.
Academic Leadership
Assistant to the Dean, SDSU (2000)
Worked with Dean Hilderbrand on Information Technology initiatives.
Developed and managed the first Intellectual Property webpage at SDSU.
Oversaw gene patent issues related to research on winter wheat freeze survival.
Research Advisory Council
SDSU President’s Advisory Council for Diversity
Institutional Biosafety Committee (1993 – 2014).
Distinguished Professor Committee (1996 – 2012).
Member of University Academic Senate.
Chair of Burris Distinguished Lecture Series (1996-2005).
Member of
several
Graduate Advisory Committees (1993 – 2014).
Co-Chair SD Plant Biochemistry/Plant Physiology Symposium (2003).
State-Level Leadership
Collaborated with Dr. David Benfield to develop the SDSU EPSCoR proposal.
Helped establish the SDSU Functional Genomics Core Facility, securing $3.1 million in funding to enhance South Dakota’s research competitiveness.
Research Leadership
Independent Researcher
Directed laboratory investigations and secured $1.5 million in grant funding.
Funded and mentored students, technicians, and postdoctoral fellows.
Published and presented findings in peer-reviewed journals and at national and international conferences.
Collaborative Researcher
Co-wrote and submitted proposals with investigators at SDSU, the University of Minnesota, and nine other laboratories nationwide.
Participated in the NASA/NSF Joint Program on Plant Sensory Systems.
Facilitated SDSU’s introduction to the field of Proteomics, contributing to a $1.7 million award and mentoring undergraduate students.
National Leadership
Program Director, National Science Foundation (NSF)
Managed $27 million in awards for the Plant Genome Research Program within the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO).
Managed $5 million in High-Risk, High-Payoff research projects. And an additional $5 million in a venture funding mechanism
Represented NSF at national meetings on Education and Employment, discussing the role of employers in workforce education.
Made use of leadership coursework at George Washington University’s business school, funded by NSF.
Awarded a Certificate for Distinguished Service upon completion of her term.
Industry Leadership
Vice President of Research, Genetic Architecture Education Analysis (GAEA Inc.)
GAEA’s CEO Dr. Eugene T. Butler III focused his research on advancing energy capabilities.
As VP, I Negotiated and secured Small Business Innovation Research proposals, (SBIR) receiving $150,000 and $99,000 in funding
Co-Founder, Science Visions Inc. (SVI)
Established SVI to offer science education to youth and the elderly in the Brookings community.
Expanded SVI’s portfolio to include research.
Collaborating with SVI Director Susan Ropp to secure $100,000 in NSF funding to collaborate with SDSU and offer community science camps.
Assumed full-time SVI’s Chief Research Officer and Chief Executive Officer upon retiring from SDSU.
Health Research and Advocacy
Cancer Researcher
Received professional certification in Genetics and Genomics from Stanford University.
Collaborates with the National Cancer Institute on addressing cancer health disparities.
Focuses on colorectal and prostate cancers, securing seed funding from the University of Utah.
Active member of the African Caribbean Cancer Consortium (AC3) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
Awarded research funding and samples from the Huntsman Cancer Institute Biorepository.
Community Service and Leadership
Community Involvement
Co-established Science at the Pub and Science Café.
Serves as a judge for the AAAS Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM.
Acts as an NSF panel reviewer for STEM research.
Served as Secretary of the Brookings Activity Center.
President, Community Law Enforcement Action Response (CLEAR) Partners:
Leads CLEAR Partners to foster collaboration between community members and law enforcement, promoting a thriving and wholesome community.
Advocates for community-friendly law enforcement practices to ensure safety and unity.