Leadership

Evangeline J. Downie
Interim Vice President for Research

Evangeline J. Downie is a professor of physics in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) and serves as interim vice president for research. Prior to joining the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR), she served as associate dean of research and strategic initiatives within CCAS, where she led the arts and sciences research support team and helped strengthen collaboration across schools and research units while supporting a broad portfolio of faculty-led research activities.

An experimental nuclear physicist, Downie’s research focuses on understanding the structure and dynamics of protons and neutrons, the fundamental building blocks of matter. Her research and outreach activities have been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and has included leadership roles in major international collaborations, including the MUon proton Scattering Experiment (MUSE) at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland and the A2 Collaboration at the Mainz Microtron (MAMI) accelerator in Germany.

Downie is a recognized leader in the national nuclear physics community. She has served on the American Physical Society Division of Nuclear Physics Executive Committee and the DOE/NSF Nuclear Science Advisory Committee that developed the 2023 Long Range Plan for Nuclear Science. She also contributes to the field through service to national and international funding agencies, scientific journals, and advisory committees.

Throughout her career, Downie has been committed to mentoring and developing the next generation of scientists. At GW and through national professional organizations, she has led programs supporting undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and early-career researchers, with a particular focus on advancing professional development and broadening participation in physics.
 

Gina M. Lohr
Senior Associate Vice Provost for Research and Administrative Dean, Virginia Science & Technology Campus

Gina Lohr has served in multiple roles at the George Washington University (GW) and currently has two appointments in support of the academic and research missions. She has more than 15 years of experience in academic research administration and operations at GW.

Within the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, Gina serves as the deputy to the Vice Provost for Research, providing strategic and operational oversight and support to OVPR and the broader research community. Her portfolio includes sponsored projects, research development, core facilities, data management and analysis, human resources related to research, divisional finance and budgeting, cross-disciplinary initiatives, communications, systems/applications innovation, and general operations.

Gina also serves as the Administrative Dean of the Virginia Science and Technology Campus (VSTC) where she is responsible for the financial management, planning, facilities, and general operations of the campus.

She received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in forensic sciences, both from GW.

Sylvia Ezekilova
Assistant Vice Provost for Sponsored Projects

Sylvia facilitates sponsored project activities across the George Washington University and provides leadership to the central sponsored projects office. In this role, she oversees compliance review and submission of proposals, negotiation of a wide variety of agreements, subawards, and award management.

Sylvia has over 25 years of experience in all aspects of sponsored projects administration: pre-award, award acceptance and negotiation, post-award, sub-award management, compliance, and reporting. Sylvia has participated in National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) meetings as a presenter and moderator. She currently serves on the NCURA Select Committee on Global Affairs and co-chairs the NCURA Global Working Group. 

Prior to her tenure in research administration, Sylvia worked in international development as a member of the startup team setting up the American University in Bulgaria and managed USAID/American Schools and Hospitals Abroad funded constructions, business systems, library acquisition, and operations projects. Sylvia also served on national and international working groups for outreach and technical assistance for nongovernmental organizations in transitional economies.
Sylvia holds an MBA in social and economic information, with a minor in statistics and business systems, and a postgraduate certificate in accounting and finance from the University for National and World Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria.