Research Finance Manager honored with AP Star Award

By Theresa Barosh | April 2025

Kristen Parks, CIRA Research Finance Manager, received the 2026 AP Star Award in recognition of outstanding individual performance at Colorado State University. Research Scientist Katherine Gura, Ph.D., Wildlife Research Biologist Adele Reinking, and Snow-Ecosystem Modeler Stine Pedersen, Ph.D., nominated Parks. They said Parks “constantly implements the required procedures that allow our CIRA team to conduct novel and important research.”

The team of nominating researchers study snow-ecosystem-wildlife interactions. Their work frequently involves winter field campaigns in remote Arctic environments. “The projects that support our research, therefore, often include relatively “out-of-the-box” components, such as purchases related to non-conventional, Everest-grade clothing; equipment for monitoring wildlife and measuring snow; alternative mechanisms of travel; and safety gear.”

In her role, Parks consistently strives to understand the nuances of each unique project and works to ensure that all necessary project requirements are met.

“Kristen is a facilitator who opens doors for the researchers she supports; our ability to conduct our work safely, efficiently, and successfully is directly related to her project administration efforts. Not only does she maintain compliance between CSU and funding agencies from the proposal stage through project completion, but she manages to do so while being a strong advocate for all project team members.”

Parks manages complex projects and balances a high volume of proposals, often under concurrent deadlines. “Kristen is always willing to invest time and energy to assist with proposal preparation, regardless of the dollar amount available from each opportunity, giving us the freedom to pursue the wide range of funding sources that our interdisciplinary work mandates.”

Parks earned her master’s degree while caring for two infants at home and working full-time supporting CIRA researchers. Parks goes beyond her job description by coordinating with science communication teams to promote CIRA research.

Parks recently helped navigate a team member’s transition into a doctoral program, while maintaining a research position at CIRA. Parks surmounted the complex administrative hurdles required to align human resources requirements, grant funding and project timelines for the researcher to continue her work at CIRA.

“Kristen’s actions championing professional growth are, at their core, a major strategic win for CSU — she helped the institution to live their mission and retain a high-caliber researcher, all while increasing CIRA’s intellectual capital.”