Dr. Sally J. Rockey recently became the deputy director of the Office of Extramural Research.

She comes to NIH from a position as deputy administrator, information systems and technology management unit, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. In that role, Rockey provided leadership for and managed all aspects of the agency's information technology and software applications, spearheading the successful reconstruction of its IT department and bringing the department into compliance with USDA and OMB directives.

Dr. Sally J. Rockey is new OER deputy director.

Rockey is also an expert in grants management and the peer review process, noted OER director Dr. Norka Ruiz Bravo. "Early in her USDA career, she was a driving force in the development of peer review policies and guidance at the USDA. Her success in scientific review policy led to her appointment as deputy administrator, Competitive Research Grants and Awards Management Division, at the USDA, where she oversaw a staff of 120 coupled with 30 part-time scientist panel members." Rockey administered $250 million worth of competitive programs within a broad range of agriculturally based research and education fields.

Rockey has given talks at more than 100 symposia, seminars and workshops on a wide array of topics. She has also received numerous awards and accolades.