Grace L. Faustino

My journey in technology began in 1998 in El Paso, Texas, where I launched my career as a Sr. Software Developer with Technical Solutions, Inc., working as a contractor for Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK), now Orbital Sciences Corporation. During those formative seven years, I immersed myself in the rigorous world of Department of Defense software development, mastering Object-Oriented Programming and C++ while building robust, secure N-tier prototype applications. This foundation in software development lifecycle methodologies would prove instrumental throughout my career, teaching me not just how to write code, but how to architect solutions that meet the most stringent security and performance requirements.

In 2008, I advanced to Los Alamos, New Mexico, taking on the role of Sr. Software Programmer with SolutionWerx, Inc., serving as a contractor for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). This two-year tenure further refined my technical expertise, allowing me to apply cutting-edge software engineering practices to national security challenges. The complexity and criticality of the work at LANL deepened my understanding of secure systems architecture and the importance of precision in high-stakes computing environments.

The year 2011 marked a pivotal transition in my career trajectory as I pursued graduate studies and joined the University of New Mexico. As a Graduate Project Assistant with New Media Extended Learning, I discovered my passion for educational technology, supporting course designers in developing and assessing online learning experiences using Blackboard Learn. This role introduced me to instructional design and eLearning methodologies, broadening my perspective beyond pure software development to understand how technology serves people and enhances learning outcomes.

My connection with the research enterprise began in 2012 when I joined the Office of the Vice President for Research as a Graduate Project Assistant. This experience opened my eyes to the unique technology challenges facing academic research institutions. I wore many hats—managing media and communications, overseeing application and database development, administering systems, and maintaining web properties. This diverse exposure to research computing infrastructure laid the groundwork for what would become my life's work: supporting research excellence through strategic technology leadership.

Transitioning to a Technical Analyst II and III position from 2013 to 2016, I spearheaded the first comprehensive migration of all OVPR Windows and Mac desktops to the institutional managed environment—a massive undertaking that dramatically improved security posture and standardization across the research office. During this period, I also implemented the research Information Technology (IT) Helpdesk system using Vivantio, establishing a centralized support infrastructure that would serve as the backbone for research computing support. My full-stack capabilities came into play as I provided extensive web administration services, from User Interface (UI) design to Linux server administration, supporting the diverse technology needs of the research community.

My evolution into project leadership came naturally as I advanced to Information Technology Project Manager III from 2016 to 2022. This era was defined by strategic initiatives that transformed how research technology was managed at the institutional level. I co-led the integration of research IT projects into the institutional IT Enterprise Dashboard, bringing unprecedented visibility and coordination to research technology initiatives. Leading the Request for Proposal (RFP) process and implementation of InfoReady, the institutional Internal Funding System, I streamlined how researchers apply for and receive internal grants. The university-wide deployment of Qualtrics provided faculty and staff with powerful research and assessment tools, while my work implementing Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) security solutions across research systems ensured that innovation never came at the cost of security.

Between 2018 and 2023, I embraced an additional dimension of service as Sr. Web Designer for the Division for Equity and Inclusion and School of Engineering. This role allowed me to directly impact researchers' visibility by deploying over 10 personalized faculty research lab websites and redesigning 4 institutional websites. My work maintaining the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU) website connected me to a broader mission of advancing research capacity at institutions serving underrepresented communities—work that resonated deeply with my own values.

In 2022, I expanded my expertise into translational medicine, serving as a Professional Technical Consultant for the UNM School of Medicine's Division of Translational Informatics through 2024. Leading comprehensive operations, projects, and programs, I managed the procurement and IT support implementation for a secure High-Performance Computing (HPC) system designed for stringent research computing requirements. Successfully overseeing grant proposal development and securing substantial funding, I ensured long-term sustainability for advanced computational research initiatives that would accelerate medical discoveries.

Today, as Manager of Information Technology Services since May 2022, I lead a talented team of technical professionals overseeing Administrative Computing Support for the Office of the Vice President for Research. Serving as Chair of the Research Information Technology (IT) Operations Group, I'm responsible for comprehensive service development across the institution. My work implementing annual Cyber Hygiene Assessments for Category III Research Centers using the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 framework ensures our research enterprise maintains the highest security standards. I manage Azure Cloud Active Directory/Entra Identity (ID) for research systems, lead enterprise research software implementations, and actively develop and deploy agentic and custom Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions to enhance research operations and automate complex workflows.

Among my proudest achievements are several transformative initiatives that have reshaped research technology in University of New Mexico. Leading a multi-institutional Request for Proposal (RFP) for an Electronic Research Administration System that brought together institutions across the state, realizing millions of dollars in cost savings through our collaborative purchasing model. The implementation of the research office Helpdesk System (Vivantio) established the first centralized support infrastructure dedicated to research computing needs, fundamentally changing how we serve our research community. Developed and launched programmatic initiatives on Security Assessments and Shared Service Model that have become foundational to the Research Office. Perhaps most significantly for institutional governance, I co-developed the University of New Mexico's first Research Data Management Policy, which was formally adopted into the Faculty Handbook—a testament to the strategic impact that thoughtful technology leadership can have on university policy.

This 25+ year journey from software developer to technology leader has taught me that the most impactful technology work is never just about the systems we build—it's about the research we enable, the communities we empower, and the innovations we make possible. Each role, each challenge, each solution has been a stepping stone in a career dedicated to advancing research excellence through strategic, secure, and innovative technology leadership.