About UChicago Argonne, LLC
UChicago Argonne, LLC Board of Governors for Argonne National Laboratory
Board Operations
University of Chicago Office at Argonne
Laurence Hill
Associate Vice President for Research and for National Laboratories, Secretary to the UChicago Argonne, LLC Board of Governors for Argonne
The Associate Vice President for Research and for National Laboratories at the University of Chicago is responsible for site office operations, University contract management, and Board staffing for Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Strengthening scientific collaboration among Fermilab, Argonne and the University of Chicago is also an important objective of this position.
Previously, Hill was Assistant Dean for Research Operations in the Division of the Biological Sciences (BSD) and the Pritzker School of Medicine, where his most recent responsibilities included overseeing and coordinating Divisional offices of Research Services, Shared Research Facilities, Research Program Planning and Development, and Clinical Research and serving as the Operations Project Executive for the Howard T. Ricketts Regional Biocontainment Laboratory at Argonne. From 2004 to 2006 Hill served as Assistant Dean for Planning in the BSD and played key staff roles in the creation of the Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, the Ludwig Metastasis Center and the Howard Hughes/Janelia Farm Graduate Training Partnership.
Hill has an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, an M.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School, and a B.A. from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Christopher Widmer
Executive Director
As Executive Director of the Office of the Vice President for Research and for National Laboratories at the University of Chicago, Christopher Widmer is responsible for the day-to-day management of the University’s Board of Governors Office at Argonne National Laboratory (e.g. fiscal, personnel, facilities, etc.). In addition, he is responsible for oversight of the University’s reviews of scientific / technical programs and operational / administrative functions at the Laboratory. Finally, Mr. Widmer is responsible for the oversight of the joint appointment process, which allows faculty and scientists to interact significantly in attempts to solve problems in and across their scientific domains.
Previously, Mr. Widmer served as Director of Management and Administration for the Office of the Vice President for Research at the University from 2004 to 2006 and played a key staff role on the University’s proposal team to secure the contract to manage and operate Argonne National Laboratory for the U. S. Department of Energy. Prior to joining the University of Chicago, Mr. Widmer served in key management roles in the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management & Operations; The Chicago Department on Aging and the Chicago Police Department. Prior to his employment with the City of Chicago, Mr. Widmer served as an international health care consultant for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations / Joint Commission International serving clients in eastern European countries, Saudi Arabia, the Pacific Rim and South America.
Mr. Widmer has a B.A. from Marquette University and is currently working on his masters in public administration.
Maryfrances Miley
Director of Programmatic Reviews
As the Director of Programmatic Reviews within the Office of the Vice President for Research and for National Laboratories, Ms. Miley is responsible for planning and executing scientific and technical reviews of Argonne National Laboratory. Additionally, Ms. Miley assists in the implementation of strategic initiatives between the University and the Laboratory.
Prior to joining this office, Ms. Miley was Grants Manager for the Office of the Senior Vice President, Science Quality and the Public Health, in the Professional Standards Group at the American Medical Association. In that role, she coordinated the funding efforts and project reviews for the divisional research programs. Prior to joining the AMA, Ms. Miley served as grants administrator and Interim Executive Administrator in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology at the University of Chicago. Ms. Miley’s background also includes time spent as an independent consultant to the Pharmaceutical industry in the areas of medical market research and medical writing.
Ms. Miley has an undergraduate degree with a double major in Biology and Mathematics as well as an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Additionally, she has a Certificate in Clinical Trials Management from the University of Chicago.
Cheryl Pestka Cloney
Director of Board of Governors Functions
As the Director of Board of Governors Functions within the Office of the Vice President for Research and for National Laboratories at Argonne National Laboratory, Cheryl Pestka Cloney's responsibility is the lead for the planning, executing and follow-through of each Board of Governors meeting, committee meetings and associated activities involving Board members and their interactions with the University and Argonne.
Pestka Cloney joined the University in October 2007. Prior to joining the University of Chicago, Pestka Cloney worked for eleven years for the City of Chicago in various positions, with the last four years serving as the Assistant to the Executive Director of the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications. In this capacity she managed the Executive Director’s office and support staff. She additionally had the responsibility for the planning, coordination, and oversight of the arrangements for the Emergency Communications Board of the City of Chicago.
Julie Bittke
Financial Administrator
Julie Bittke serves as the Financial Administrator of the Office of the Vice President for Research and for National Laboratories at Argonne National Laboratory. Julie performs financial management functions and support related functions for the office and the Board of Governors including programmatic & operational review committee meetings of the Board. In addition, she manages the financial reporting mechanisms for staff, faculty, and joint appointments between the University and Argonne. Julie also serves as the University liaison to the Argonne Club Board of Directors for special events at the lab and serves as the board’s Secretary.
Hired in September, 2002, her previous employment was as Contract Manager with the Office of Corporate Contract Compliance for the American Medical Association, managing over 2,000 contracts representing $150 million in annual operating and capital expenditures. Julie has a BA in Business Management from National Louis University.
Laura Cuddy
Planning & Special Events Coordinator
As the Planning & Special Events Coordinator for the Office of the Vice President for Research and for National Laboratories at Argonne National Laboratory, Laura Cuddy is responsible for formatting rosters, planning and executing agendas for programmatic review committee meetings, and Oversight Council meetings. Laura is responsible for the planning and logistics for Board of Governor meetings and other special events, tours and colloquiums.
Prior to joining the University of Chicago, Laura worked for the Chicago Park District in the Capital Construction Department and Facilities Management. She played a key role in special projects and events, developed and managed the Facilities Trades Nextel emergency contact list, assisted in the recycling pilot program and compiled the monthly capital projects report for the Office of the Mayor.
She attended Moraine Valley College and received extensive training in computer programming languages and continued education in advanced software applications along with mastering accounting and bookkeeping principles.
Katie P. Weber
Administrative Coordinator
Katie P. Weber serves as the Administrative Coordinator for the Office of the Vice President for Research and for National Laboratories. In this capacity, she establishes and oversees daily operational duties for the University’s Argonne office and maintains the organizational structure and flow of information. In addition, she serves as the first line of resource to senior administrators, University of Chicago faculty and staff, Argonne researchers and staff, and senior corporate and civil leaders.
Prior to her work with the University, Weber worked in Argonne’s Nuclear Operation Division in Waste Management. In addition to serving as an Argonne Club board member, she directs the Argonne Choral Group and is an active Argonne Music Club board member. Weber received her B.A. in Musical Theatre, with a minor in psychology, from North Central College.
