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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.