 | | BRAD HOLUBAR, PHYSICAL THERAPY AND HUMAN MOVEMENT SCIENCES |
How long have you been at Northwestern University?
I have been working at Northwestern University for eight years. Where are you from?
I was born in St. Joseph, Mich., but my family moved a fair amount while I was growing up. We spent time in New Jersey, Illinois (Wheaton), and Indiana. My family returned to St. Joseph when I was 13, and I spent my teenage years there. What is your education background?
I have a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Michigan State University. Following graduation, I worked in a sports medicine clinic in south Florida and then earned a master’s degree in biomechanics/ athletic training from Illinois State University. What is your role in the department?
As the inaugural research administrator in the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, I am responsible for all pre‐ and post‐award administration of sponsored and nonsponsored research grants at the department level. I assist with proposal development and submission, purchasing and accounting for grants, research compliance, committed effort management and reporting requirements. I am also the department liaison with the Office for Sponsored Research, Accounting Services for Research and Sponsored Programs, Office for the Protection of Research Subjects and various other research offices at NU, research institutions, funding agencies and businesses. What’s a typical day like for you?
I can’t say my days follow a typical pattern. Some examples include discussing grant opportunities, developing budgets, communicating with collaborative research departments and offices, responding to grant sponsor requests, managing the inventory of research supplies and monitoring grant account balances. I also administer stipend and tuition payments for graduate students supported by research grant funding in our department. Why did you choose to work here?
I have always been interested in the combination of science and medicine and searching for answers to complicated problems. I was fortunate to be hired by Jules Dewald, PT, PhD, initially as a research assistant in his laboratory studying the mechanisms underlying the loss of independent joint control in the paretic upper limb following brain injury. When Dr. Dewald became the department chair in 2006, a renewed emphasis was placed on research, and I was presented with the opportunity to manage grant activities throughout the department. I take pride in being part of our recent success in acquiring grant funding and significant growth in research productivity. It’s great to be a small part of the development of new physical rehabilitation techniques and devices resulting from quantitative research that will ultimately help improve lives. What do you like/dislike about your job?
I enjoy the variety of responsibilities involved in my job, the supportive team environment and the challenge of helping to assemble and maintain successful research grants. I am learning every day. I believe my background in kinesiology and biomechanics is a valuable asset in my position because I am familiar with the science involved in the research in our department. My job is not just paperwork and deadlines; I am genuinely interested in and care about the research. What do you like to do in your free time?
I devote most of my free time to my family. As parents of two energetic young boys, my wife and I find that we are always busy and frequently entertained. During the summer, I enjoy spending as much time as possible with friends and family on the beaches in Michigan. I also find time for small home improvement jobs and following my favorite teams during the various sports seasons. | 
