Six Questions with Beth Peloquin

Great to meet you, Beth! Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself? Where are you from? How did you get to Duke? 

I’m originally from Wisconsin, but aside from about three years in New York City, I’ve lived in North Carolina for most of my adult life. I studied art history and classics at the “other blue school” that shall not be named.

It looks like you’ve been at Duke for quite some time. What former experiences here have most prepared you for your new role here at Duke Engineering? 

I’ve had responsibilities with the School of Medicine that have most prepared me by providing training and consultation through National Institutes of Health training grant tables; and completing the National Science Foundation’s Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering (GSS) survey for all of Duke; myriad pre and post-award project management, such as pre-award management for a funded NIH Center of Excellence; and teaching best practices for multiple thematic teams.

It looks like you’ve worked for a number of Duke schools/centers/departments in the past. What made you decide to join Duke Engineering’s team? 

I’ve heard only good things from staff over the years about working at Pratt, and the position itself calls upon many of my experiences and in areas of work I find intellectually fulfilling.

Tell us more about your new role. What services will you be offering and who can come to ask for your assistance?

I’ll be based within the Dean’s Office, and my role will focus on a few areas including assisting faculty and research administrators across Pratt with the pre-award management for large center-type projects; providing liaison and developing central resources for the grant teams across the school; and data management at the school level, such as completing the U.S. News and World Report and American Society For Engineering Education annual reports.

What do you enjoy most about the work you’ll be focusing on? 

I enjoy finding creative ways to tackle projects and relish organizing data, component parts and pieces, etc., while also helping others and sharing knowledge, so it seems like a good combination of all of these.  

Any hobbies or things you love about living in the area? 

When I’m not knee-deep in spreadsheets, I enjoy gardening, bird-watching and reading non-fiction. And I have recently dusted off my violin, which, to my surprise, sounded better than expected.