Dear Colleagues,

As we begin a new academic year, I would like to extend a warm welcome back to all Pace University colleagues. This past year has been remarkable for research and sponsored programs at Pace. Across our schools, faculty secured external funding—submitting more than 90 grant applications—published impactful scholarship, and engaged students in meaningful research experiences. These accomplishments reflect your dedication and perseverance. On behalf of the Office of Research and Graduate Education, thank you for the extraordinary work you do.  

To support your new research goals this year, the Office of Research and Graduate Education is here for you throughout every stage the pre-award process. Our team assists faculty in identifying funding opportunities through Pivot, Foundation Directory, among other resources, developing competitive proposals, preparing budgets, navigating sponsor requirements, and submitting applications to external agencies and foundations. We also collaborate closely with Grants Administration to ensure a smooth transition from proposal development to award implementation. Please reach out to Eric Torres (etorres@pace.edu) and Elina Bloch, PhD (ebloch@pace.edu) at any stage of the process with questions, for guidance, or assistance with any of these areas.  

Our office also oversees research compliance and integrity programs—including IRB review—to help faculty conduct research responsibly and successfully. As research at Pace grows every year it is important that the administrative processes are updated to make it easier for our faculty to do ethical research that demonstrates the highest standards of research integrity. We began that process last year by replacing our previous IRB software with the much more user-friendly Cayuse Human Ethics. In this upcoming year, we will work to continue to shore up Pace’s foundation of ethical understanding by increasing both our in-person and live educational workshops, individual meetings, and presentations. We will also be updating our policies and procedures to reflect the current research landscape and then ensuring that everyone has easy access to a plethora of resources to stay up to speed. You can expect to see changes to our website and forms, all in the name of helping you meet your research goals. For any IRB related questions, please contact Lindsey Lee (llee2@pace.edu). 

Beyond sponsored research administration, we remain committed to fostering a vibrant research culture at Pace. Through workshops, information sessions, funding announcements internal grant programs, and interdisciplinary networking opportunities, we aim to provide resources that help faculty expand their research agendas, build collaborations, and pursue ambitious projects. Our internal funding programs continue to support scholarship, creative works, pilot studies, and the development of future externally funded initiatives. Recordings of past events are available here.  

Additionally, our office provides support to undergraduate and graduate students as well as alumni pursuing nationally and internationally competitive fellowships and awards. If you are working with a student who you think might be a strong candidate, please consider connecting them with Anna Beskin, PhD (abeskin@pace.edu) to discuss opportunities. Regardless of the outcome, the fellowship process can be an invaluable opportunity for students to develop new skills, take on new challenges, and explore new professional possibilities. 

We are also proud to create opportunities for the Pace community to come together to share and celebrate its research and creative work. In April, the Office of Research and Graduate Education hosted the Second Annual Spring Research Conference, The Human Experience: Research, Creative Work, and Interdisciplinary Dialogue. The conference brought together faculty, graduate students, and administrators for a full day of presentations, panel discussions, and interdisciplinary exchange, with more than 100 presenters representing a wide range of disciplines and perspectives. The event also featured an exhibit of more than 40 books authored by Pace faculty over the past five years, highlighting the impressive breadth of scholarship and creative work taking place across the University. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s conference and look forward to building on that momentum in the year ahead. 

One highlight from this past academic year was the launch of our new Interdisciplinary Conversations series, which kicked off in April 2026 with an inaugural panel on Mental Health and Physical Health Across Disciplines. The event brought together faculty from across Pace for a rich exchange of ideas spanning trauma-informed care, integrative medicine, mindfulness, conflict resolution, communication, workplace well-being, and the role of artificial intelligence in mental health. The series is designed to help faculty and researchers share their work, discover connections across disciplines, and spark new collaborations. Following the success of the inaugural session, we're excited to continue the series with another conversation planned for this semester—stay tuned for details. 

We have also been taking a closer look at the graduate education experience at Pace. Over the past year, our office has worked to identify key challenges and opportunities facing our graduate programs, and we've been partnering with the Graduate Advisory Committee to think through solutions that strengthen the experience for graduate students across the University. This work is ongoing, and we look forward to sharing more as it develops. You can find recordings of past events here. For any questions or suggestions related to Graduate Student programming, please contact Manaswi Soni (msoni@pace.edu). 

As we look ahead, I encourage you to connect with our office early and often. Whether you are looking to identify funding sources, exploring your first grant proposal, or seeking collaborators, we are eager to partner with you in advancing your research goals. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence in research, scholarship, and creative activity. We look forward to working with you in the year ahead and celebrating the many achievements yet to come. 

Sonia Suchday, PhD 

University Director of Research and Graduate Education 

Operations Director, Pace Center for Global Health 

Professor, Psychology Department 

Anna Beskin, PhD supports faculty as well as graduate and undergraduate students in advancing research, securing grant funding, and developing competitive fellowship applications. Anna leads workshops, seminars, and research conferences that strengthen the university's culture of inquiry while mentoring students pursuing prestigious national and international awards, including the Fulbright Program.

Anna joined the Office of Research and Graduate Education in August 2023 after serving as Director of the Faculty Center at Pace University, where she collaborated across disciplines to develop innovative programming focused on teaching excellence, research, and faculty well-being. Throughout her career, Anna has remained committed to the classroom, teaching literature and writing as an adjunct professor and maintaining a close connection to the evolving needs of students and faculty in an era shaped by AI, post-pandemic learning, and changing higher education landscapes.

Prior to Pace, Anna spent more than a decade at Fordham University, where she held leadership roles including Interim Director of the Office of Prestigious Fellowships, International Fellowships Advisor, Assistant Fulbright Advisor, and Writing Center Director. She has guided hundreds of students through competitive fellowship and scholarship applications, including the Fulbright, Boren, Pickering, Rangel, and Critical Language Scholarship programs.

In addition to her work in higher education, Anna is a pre-licensed mental health counselor providing virtual therapy to teens and adults in New York and Connecticut. Her client-centered approach integrates narrative exploration and mindfulness to support individuals navigating anxiety, life transitions, academic and workplace stress, ADHD, parenting challenges, and relationship concerns, reflecting her lifelong commitment to helping others grow, thrive, and reach their full potential.

Elina Bloch, PhD, is Associate Director for Sponsored Research. She helps oversee all aspects of pre‑award grant administration and manages research communications, including the faculty newsletter and the Office of Research and Graduate Education’s website. Her work also focuses on identifying funding sources, and she welcomes inquiries from faculty to conduct targeted searches for potential grant opportunities.

A member of the Pace community since 2020, Elina brings a career spanning development, research administration, and scholarly publishing. Her prior roles include Director of Foundations and Grants at the YIVO Institute, where she led prospect research, stewardship, and grant writing; Associate Director for Research Programs at the Bard Graduate Center, where she organized research programs for graduate and postdoctoral students; and Coordinator of the Margellos World Republic of Letters at Yale University Press, where she collaborated with the Executive Director to identify works of cultural and artistic significance previously overlooked by translators and publishers.



Elina earned her PhD in Comparative Literature and a certificate in Women’s Studies from Yale University.

Amon Tapiwa Chikohora serves as a Graduate Student Assistant at the Pace Center for Global Health, where he actively supports the center’s mission by managing website development, coordinating social media outreach, assisting with research, and organizing event logistics.

Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Cybersecurity at Pace University, Amon brings a unique and robust technical foundation to his role. He draws on prior professional experience as a software engineer and web developer, as well as hands-on expertise in IT operations and infrastructure support. In his academic work, he focuses on digital forensics, threat modeling, and vulnerability management.

Beyond his acadenic and professional commitments, Amon is highly engaged in the campus community as an active member of the Student Government Association, the Criminal Justice Society, and the Pace Debate Society.

Lindsey Lee is the Institutional Review Board Manager, Research Integrity, a position she has held since December 2024. In this role, she manages ethical and regulatory compliance for human and animal subjects research, advises researchers, conducts IRB reviews, and makes exemption determinations. She led the university's transition from IRBManager to Cayuse Human Ethics, including migrating legacy data and implementing the new system. She also serves as a liaison for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), conducts educational workshops on research ethics and compliance, and oversees the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training database.

Lindsey previously served as Senior Thesis Advisor at Pace University's Pforzheimer Honors College from 2017 to 2024, where she advised over 1,000 students through the senior thesis process, developed guidance documentation used by faculty advisors, and centralized student data systems to track thesis completion and outcomes. She has also been an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Pace University since 2008, and previously taught at Fordham University, Borough of Manhattan Community College, ROADS 1 Charter School, and within the NYC Department of Education.



Lindsey holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Bard College (2010) and a Master of Arts in English Literary Studies from New York University (2008). She also holds a New York State Professional Certificate in English Language Arts, grades 7-12 (2010). She earned her undergraduate degree from Pace University in 2006, with a major in English and Women's and Gender Studies, and she is an alum of the Pforzheimer Honors College.

Norma I. Quiridumbay has been a dedicated member of the Pace University community since 2004 and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration. She currently serves as Administrator of the Office of Research & Graduate Education, supporting the University Director of Research & Graduate Education, and as Director of Operations for the Center for Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE), supporting the Assistant Provost for Research.

In both roles, Norma works closely with faculty, students, and colleagues across the University to coordinate programs, events, and grant-funded initiatives. She supports the day-to-day administration of these programs, facilitates collaboration across the University, and ensures that activities are carried out effectively and in accordance with university policies and procedures.



Across both roles, Norma is committed to effective and timely communication, continuous process improvement, and building strong partnerships across the University. Through her work, she contributes to the effective administration and success of university programs and initiatives while supporting meaningful opportunities for students and faculty to engage in research, creativity, and scholarly activities at Pace University.

Manaswi Soni is the Graduate Research Program Coordinator in the Office of Research & Graduate Education, where she supports the development and coordination of research initiatives across Pace University. Her work spans research administration, faculty and student research support, and communications. Manaswi is also a proud Pace alumna, having earned her master’s degree in Research & Experimental Psychology from Pace University. Returning to Pace in a professional capacity has been especially meaningful, allowing her to contribute to the research community that she was once a part of as a graduate student.

In addition, Manaswi serves as Assistant Director of Operations for the Pace Center for Global Health (PCGH), where she supports the Center’s programs, partnerships, events, and communications. Her work includes coordinating workshops and global health initiatives, supporting collaborations with international partners, and helping translate the Center’s work into meaningful opportunities for engagement and impact.



Manaswi looks forward to continuing to support Pace’s researchers, students, and broader research community throughout the academic year.

Sonia Suchday, PhD, is a clinical health psychologist focused on mind-body health. Prof. Suchday's interdisciplinary scholarship examines the biological, psychological, social, and cultural determinants of health, with research spanning cardiovascular and metabolic health, acculturation, globalization, spirituality, early life adversity, and health equity. She has published extensively and presented nationally and internationally. Prof. Suchday's recent research has focused on a decolonization approach – Indian Psychology - to explore the the biopsychosocial concomitants of stress and coping among people of Indian origin. 

Prof. Suchday is also a passionate educator focused on building local, national, global educational and research partnerships. She has previously served as the Chair of the US National Committee, National Academy of Sciences at the International Union of Psychological Sciences (IUPsyS). She continues to serve as the IUPsySrepresentative to the United Nations. Her recent grant at the Pace Center for Global Health focuses on educating journalists on respiratory health in conjunction with the World Health Organization. 

Eric Torres serves as the Director of Sponsored Research at Pace University, where he supports faculty in developing and managing sponsored projects and grants. His work encompasses a broad range of initiatives, including training programs, fee-for-service projects, and research grants.



With more than 20 years as a member of the Pace community, Eric has provided guidance and support to faculty and staff through various roles within the Office of Research. He is also a proud Pace alumnus, holding both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

Each member of our team brings unique expertise and is here to partner with you, answer questions, and help advance your research. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We look forward to connecting with you and being part of your research journey.

Do you have a recent publication, grant, or other updates?

Share your research news here

Visit the Office of Research and Graduate Education website for information and updates

Questions? Email: Elina Bloch, PhD, Associate Director, Sponsored Research

at ebloch@pace.edu