Dr. Susan Puryear started on Nov. 1 as the Interim Associate Vice President for Research Administration.

Puryear most recently served as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Administration, Integrity, and Development at the University of Massachusetts - Lowell. During her 8 or so years there the university saw a dramatic increase in sponsored research funding, and she led strategic enterprise analysis and development of research infrastructure to accommodate that growth. She stepped down from this role in 2023 to complete her EdD dissertation in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania, which she completed in 2024.  Puryear also earned a JD from Stanford University and an EdM in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard University.

Puryear oversees all operations of research administration and sponsored programs, identifying sponsored research opportunities to grow the Georgia Tech research enterprise. She ensures Georgia Tech stays in compliance with state and federal rules and regulations. Puryear also provides thought leadership and guidance to all Institute research administration matters, ensuring Georgia Tech remains a top-tier research university.