Nursing’s Lesiak is awarded Gold U

Lauren Lesiak is an important part of the UNMC College of Nursing's research mission — so important that she has been recognized with this month's Gold U Award.

As the administrative coordinator in the Niedfelt Nursing Research Center (NNRC), Lesiak serves as the College of Nursing's grants specialist. In this role, Lesiak plays a critical part in grant submissions and management.

Since 2015 when she started in this role, Lesiak has submitted nearly 250 grants on behalf of College of Nursing faculty and students.

Her nominators describe Lesiak as a person who strives to ensure quality with everything she does. To that end, they say, Lesiak makes a point to debrief with each principal investigator to see if any of the reviewer comments could be addressed on her side of the submission.

One nominator said, "Lauren is a self-starter who is continually working to identify innovative solutions to improve the efficiency of our grant submission and execution processes."

Lesiak took it upon herself to re-imagine the post-award financial ledger documentation process, and the new process she developed and executed now allows principal investigators to view disbursements and balances more easily on grant funds.

"Faculty are highly satisfied with this much-needed improvement," the nominator said.

In addition, Lesiak helps grow the next generation of nurse scientists by volunteering to help doctoral students in the college's grant writing course. She also reviews all nursing research posters presented at regional, national and international conferences to ensure they meaningfully demonstrate nursing's research expertise.

Lesiak is described by colleagues as the "go to" person for all research-related questions and is known as someone who is quick to put other peoples' needs above her own.

Her nominator said, "She is not afraid to ask questions and grow in her job. She completes her work thoughtfully, diligently and dependably."

During the pandemic, her nominator said Lesiak seamlessly transitioned to working from home and without a complaint continued to provide support to research faculty all while balancing home schooling for her two young children.

"The NNRC could not function without Lauren and her excellence in her work has allowed us to achieve many successes and milestones," her nominator said.

As for Lesiak, she said she is humbled by her colleagues' compliments and honored to be awarded the Gold U.

"When I found out I was surprised and flattered," Lesiak said. "I have enjoyed working in the College of Nursing NNRC these last few years and hope to have many more."