A career diplomat strengthens research collaboration
Mariam Ubilava works as a proposal manager for ACEP and INE at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
January 14, 2026
By Yuri Bult-Ito
Mariam Mari Ubilava spent many years in U.S. foreign service. During that time her passion for creating and sharing knowledge that can address real-world challenges took root.
Joining UAF was a natural next step for her.
I have a strong desire to contribute within a university setting where research, collaboration and innovation are at the forefront, Ubilava said.
She came to UAF in July 2025 as a proposal manager for the Alaska Center for Energy and Power and the , the research arm of the 窪蹋勛圖厙 of Engineering and Mines.
Her responsibilities include ensuring that teams have the support and resources needed to develop competitive research proposals as well as finalizing complete and compelling submission packages from concept papers to budgets and pre-award documentation. She also helps maintain the accuracy, quality and compliance of proposal submissions.
Before joining UAF, Ubilava served as a foreign service officer and U.S. career diplomat with the U.S. Agency for International Development. As a foreign service officer, she led multicultural teams in Central America, Central and South Asia, Sub-Saharan and East Africa and Eastern Europe. She designed, managed and oversaw multimillion-dollar complex portfolios, programs and projects in the energy, environment, democracy and governance, economic growth and humanitarian assistance sectors.
These experiences, spread across continents and cultures, reshaped her understanding of both the providers and recipients of international development services. They also sharpened her ability to bring people together and think strategically. She draws on those skills in her proposal management work, striving to identify the best options and outcomes for everyone involved.
Ubilava feels that ACEP and INE are the places where her global background and her passion for knowledge-sharing could meet. Her current role aligns closely with her commitment to advancing impactful research while supporting community needs.
Being at a university allows me to engage with experts, students and diverse partners, which fosters both professional growth and meaningful contributions, she said.
Jennifer Harris, the executive officer with ACEP, appreciates her broad background.
We are so fortunate to have Mari on board, Harris said. Her experience will blend wonderfully with our faculty and researchers to provide hands-on support throughout the proposal development process.
Ubilava holds a bachelors degree in agricultural ecology from the Georgian State Agricultural University, located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and West Asia, and a masters degree in environmental studies from The Evergreen State 窪蹋勛圖厙.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, skiing and scuba diving.
She now resides in Fairbanks, where she recently took up curling at the local club.
As a rookie, Im excited to make it my new winter hobby alongside cross-country skiing, she said.