Considerations for Supporting Postdoctoral Scholars Experiencing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education: Issue Paper (2025)
Chapter: Appendix D: Biosketches of Authors
Appendix D
Biosketches of Authors
Sydney Gary (Lead Author) is the Director of Research Operations at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), where she has been affiliated since 2005. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of CSHL’s research activities, manages policies and processes related to faculty recruitment and advancement, and contributes to institutional educational and training efforts. In addition, Dr. Gary is involved with developing and implementing institutional career and professional development activities, including “Responsible Conduct of Research” and “Rigor and Reproducibility” training. She is a member of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) institutional Steering Committee and serves as the chair of the DEI Faculty Development Committee and as a member of the DEI Faculty Hiring Committee. She received a B.S. in Biology from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and received a Ph.D. in Pharmacology/Toxicology from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. After receiving her Ph.D., Dr. Gary conducted postdoctoral research for seven years at the Yale School of Medicine.
Kaitlin Spear (Project Director) is a Program Officer with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Spear works primarily with the Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education as the responsible staff officer for the Evaluation and Response working groups. She is also involved in projects like the consensus study, On Being a Scientist: An Updated and Online Guide to the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research. Before joining the National Academies in 2022, Spear was a Senior Research Associate at NORC at the University of Chicago, focusing on projects related to interpersonal violence, sexual misconduct, and institutional policy. Spear received her Master in Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, along with two certificates in Health Disparities and Health Inequality, and Population Health. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Medicine, Health, and Society; Psychology; and Women’s and Gender Studies from Vanderbilt University.
Adrienne Allison is the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Students and Equity Compliance Investigator in the Office for Institutional Equity at Duke University. In her role as Deputy Title IX Coordinator, she oversees university compliance with Title IX complaints brought against students and the provision of supportive measures. As a compliance investigator, Allison investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related misconduct filed by students, faculty, and staff. She also conducts compliance training and provides consultation services to managers and human resources staff. Prior to coming to Duke, Allison served in several roles at the
Misconduct Expert Advisory Workgroup, the Positive Workplace Alliance, the Workplace Bullying and Harassment Ad Hoc Task Force, the Virtual Harassment Think Tank, and the Police and Public Safety Committee. Dr. Burton serves the broader professional community through her work as one of the International Ombudsman Association’s (IOA) inaugural co-chairs for the Research and Assessment Committee, Editor for the Journal of the IOA (JIOA) and a Co-Editor for IOA’s first book, The Organizational Ombuds: Foundations, Fundamentals and Futures to be published in 2025. Dr. Burton earned several bachelor’s degrees from Grand Valley State University, including a B.A. in Russian Studies, a B.S. in Sociology, and a B.A. in Spanish. She also has an M.S. in Academic Advising from Kansas State University, and an M.A. in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Adult and Lifelong Education with a Specialization in Global Urban Studies from Michigan State University.
Clare Cuthbert-Martinez is a member of the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, Inc. (NAGPS). At the time of writing the paper, she was the Director of Legislative Affairs for NAGPS. Prior to her current role as a STEM Instructor at the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology, Cuthbert-Martinez was a Medical Laboratory Specialist with the United States Army and a Forensic Scientist with the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab. Cuthbert-Martinez is a dual citizen of the United States and Great Britain. She earned her B.S. in Forensic Biochemistry from the University of North Texas and her M.S. in Biomedical Science from the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Texas. Cuthbert-Martinez is currently enrolled in her second master’s program, an M.A. in STEM Education with the University of Texas at El Paso.
Lauren Jones McKown is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX at the University of Kansas. In this role, she oversees all issues related to discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, and related retaliation, as well as Clery Act compliance. Jones McKown oversees a One University office with responsibility for the main campus in Lawrence, the University of Kansas Medical Center, and their satellite campuses. Prior to joining the University of Kansas, Jones McKown held similar roles at Northern Virginia Community College, Columbus State University, and Texas A&M International University. She has significant training in threat assessment, disability-related issues, conducting ethical and inclusive searches, and Title IX. Prior to working in higher education, Jones McKown worked at Boston area family law firms including Foley & MacAdie, P.C. and Helman & Neustadt. She previously served as a member of the Association for Title IX Administrators (ATIXA) Diversity Committee. Jones McKown received her B.A. in Film Studies and M.S. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. She earned her J.D. from the New England School of Law in Boston.
Lauren Jones McKown is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX at the University of Kansas. In this role, she oversees all issues related to discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, and related retaliation, as well as Clery Act compliance. Jones McKown oversees a One University office with responsibility for the main campus in Lawrence, the University of Kansas Medical Center, and their satellite campuses. Prior to joining the University of Kansas, Jones McKown held similar roles at Northern Virginia Community College, Columbus State University, and Texas A&M International University. She has significant training in threat assessment, disability-related issues, conducting ethical and inclusive searches, and Title IX. Prior to working in higher education, Jones McKown worked at Boston area family law firms including Foley & MacAdie, P.C. and Helman & Neustadt. She previously served as a member of the Association for Title IX Administrators (ATIXA) Diversity Committee. Jones McKown received her B.A. in Film Studies and M.S. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. She earned her J.D. from the New England School of Law in Boston.
Sarah Rankin is the Institute Title IX Coordinator in the Title IX and Bias Response Office for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she has worked since 2013. In this role, she oversees a team of people who investigate all formal complaints of discrimination and discriminatory harassment including sexual assault/harassment, relationship violence, and stalking; develops Institute policies and procedures; conducts training across the Institute; and manages federal and state compliance efforts. Formerly, she was the Director of Harvard University’s Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response for seven years and spent six years as the campus victim advocate at Western Washington University. She has coordinated large Peer Education programs on both campuses focused on sexual assault prevention efforts. Rankin earned her B.A. and her M.S. in Psychology from Western Washington State University.
