CRIO Staff
Chief Research Informatics Officer
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Melissa A. Haendel, PhD, joined the University in late spring of 2021 and was named
Chief Research Informatics Officer (CRIO) for the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The CRIO position is responsible for transforming the campus use of information and information systems to accelerate biomedical discoveries, streamline health system operations, and continuously improve patient care. She also holds an appointment as professor of biochemistry and molecular genetics in the CU School of Medicine.
Deputy CRIO
Steven Andrews, PhD, joined the University in January of 2022 as Deputy CRIO in the Chief Research Informatics Office for the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
The Deputy CRIO works closely with the CRIO to further the research and translational missions of our partners, stakeholders, and customers throughout the Anschutz Medical Campus. Informatics serves as the juncture of domain information science and information technology, with the goal of continuously improving domain practice. For the CRIO’s Office, that juncture puts our focus on combining leading biomedical, health, and health care research with continuously evolving and cutting-edge technology to create a comprehensive and efficient data ecosystem and research analytic environment to allow researchers to do their best work without stressing about the underlying infrastructure requirements.
Director of Finance & Administration
Sarah Ayala joined the Research Informatics Office (RIO) in January 2023. Sarah began her career at CU in 2004 and her previous work on the Anschutz campus was primarily in the Department of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology where she served in various roles including Grants & HR Coordinator; Research and Finance Manager and finally as Division Administrator. Sarah holds an Executive MBA in Healthcare Administration from CU-Denver and an MPH in Health Systems Mgt. from CU SPH.
Program Administrator
David Butler joined the Chief Research Informatics Office in April 2023 as a Program Administrator. He has been with the University since August 2016. In his time at the University, he started off his career in the Finance Office and later worked in the Division of Cardiology. In both roles he was responsible for being a financial data steward to his department and the stakeholders. In his current role as Program Administrator, he is responsible for monitoring financials, assisting the team with operational activities, helping with efficiencies, and working toward the goals of RIO.
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Prior to joining the team in March of 2023, Taylor DuPree worked in a variety of marketing roles in the insurance and engineering industries. As the Communication and Marketing Specialist for the Research Informatics Office (RIO), Taylor supports the RIO by developing and implementing strategic communication plans to effectively disseminate important updates and initiatives to relevant stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, researchers, faculty, and staff at CU Anschutz. Taylor works closely with the team to ensure that accurate and timely information is communicated through various channels, such as email notifications, website content, and other communication tools, to promote the mission of the RIO.