In September, Carmen Langel joined the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as the new director of the Grant Support Office (GSO). Last year, external research support brought in more than $72 million to the college. The CLAS grant support office is vital, and this role is critical in ensuring it remains strong.  

Carmen was previously with IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering (IIHR), where she led proposal development and communications, including grant writing. She is a proud Hawkeye, holding BS and MS degrees in Geology from CLAS, and an MBA from Tippie College of Business.  

Learn more about Carmen and her interests in this brief Q&A.  

What are you looking forward to in your new role in CLAS?  

I am looking forward to getting to know the talented and dedicated GSO staff and adding new staff to the team (we’re stretched very thin right now). I especially look forward to learning more about CLAS research and finding new ways to support our researchers.

You aren’t a stranger to the UI as an alum and former IIHR employee. Tell us, what is your favorite spot on campus and why?

I have three favorite places. I have many fond memories of Trowbridge Hall where I practically lived during my undergraduate and graduate student years. After working for 15 years in the C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Lab, I have a great appreciation for its unique design and long history. But the Pentacrest is my favorite location. You can learn a lot about the current mood on campus and what people care about by just sitting on the steps of the Old Capitol. Students, faculty, staff, and community members gather here to celebrate holidays, exercise their freedom of speech, and unite for a cause. Students study (or nap) under the shade trees and play impromptu games on the lawn. Sorry to be cliche, but it really is the heart of the campus.

What is something unique about you that few people know?  

I have always had a keen fascination in insects, especially butterflies and praying mantises. When I was young, I spent many summer hours chasing butterflies, dragonflies, fireflies, and even had a pet praying mantis. Now, I collect monarch eggs and use our sunroom as a butterfly nursery. Did you know that if you listen carefully, you can actually hear the caterpillars munching on their milkweed?

What is the most recent book you read or TV show you binged?  

I’m currently binge watching Grace and Frankie on Netflix. (How can anyone resist Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Martin Sheen, and Sam Waterston?!)   

What is your vision and hope for the Grant Support Office?

The CLAS strategic plan includes two specific goals: 1) infuse the research mission with new energy and vitality; and 2) enhance the research visibility of the college. I hope the GSO can help CLAS to achieve these goals by providing critical support that allows faculty and staff researchers to focus on their science while preparing funding applications and conducting their research. Some specific examples where we can make a positive difference include providing extra support for early career faculty, helping researchers navigate new agency requirements, playing a pivotal role in organizing and developing large multi-PI multi-institutional proposals, and using data analytics to identify new funding sources and partnerships.