Open to opportunities

Dilara Uskup

@dilarauskup

Message

Research leader driving patient-centered translational science, community engagement, and strategic communications.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek senior roles leading research strategy and patient-centered engagement at mission-driven organizations, emphasizing translational impact, inclusive recruitment, cross-sector partnerships, and mentoring.

I am a visionary research and engagement leader with over a decade advancing translational science, community-engaged research, and academic–industry collaborations. I have co-led multimillion-dollar funding initiatives, overseen full grant cycles, and built partnerships across academia, biotech, pharma, and government.

Throughout my career I have designed and executed high-impact marketing and recruitment campaigns for clinical research, produced multimedia assets for NIH and institutional audiences, and led community-engaged outreach that measurably increased diverse participant enrollment. I founded an equity-centered consulting firm delivering research evaluation, DEI-focused programs, and policy support for public agencies.

I am recognized for strategic grant oversight, mentoring early-stage and underrepresented investigators, and creating inclusive research infrastructures that translate discoveries into clinical progress and public benefit.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Director of Research

Current

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University

Jan 2023 - Present (2 years 8 months)

Led marketing and communications for Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University, developing the inaugural communications plan, producing NIH-featured multimedia assets, and driving clinical trial recruitment that contributed ~35% of total enrollment for an NIH-funded study.

Marketing Strategy Stakeholder Engagement Brand Development Project Management

Current

Assistant Professor

Current

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science

Jan 2018 - Present (7 years 8 months)

Co-directed the CFAR Community Engagement & Clinical Informatics Core, managed pilot grant lifecycles and budgets, led community-engaged recruitment efforts, and delivered CBPR training that increased collaborative NIH-aligned proposals.

Grant Management Program Development Stakeholder Engagement Research Administration

Assistant Professor

UCLA Department of Family Medicine

Jan 2021 - Dec 2024 (3 years 11 months)

Conducted public health and clinical research on race, cannabis policy, COVID-19, and HIV; managed data collection and staff, and co-PI'd a $781K+ grant evaluating Proposition 64 policy impacts.

Public Health Research Data Management Grant Co PI Policy Analysis Project supervision Research Ethics

Principal Consultant

Pink Paper Productions LLC

Jan 2009 - Dec 2024 (15 years 11 months)

Founded an equity-centered consulting firm delivering research evaluation, DEI and health equity strategies, and accessible multimedia for government and nonprofit clients, securing contracts with multiple municipal agencies.

Consulting Program Evaluation DEI Client Management Policy Analysis

Visiting Assistant Professor

Scripps College

Jan 2018 - Dec 2019 (1 year 11 months)

Taught politics and policy courses and contributed to curriculum development during a visiting appointment focused on policy studies and public affairs.

Teaching Curriculum Development Public Speaking Academic Instruction