McNeil--who graduated from an advanced manage- ment program at Harvard Business School in1986--pays close attention to those costs, and tothe way research grant money is spent, colleaguessay.

"Barbara would know where every cent was goingand where every cent came from, and expect everycent to be accounted for," says Larry F.Cavendish, administrator of the Joint Program inNuclear Medicine at the Medical School.

McNeil also has some fundraising experience.She served as treasurer of the Harvard MedicalSchool, Alumni Association from 1988 to 1991.

In Addition to her work at the Medical School,McNeil is no stranger to Washington, D.C. She hasserved on committees that advised the Secretary ofHealth and Human Services on Medicare costs andwas a member of the National Council on HealthCare Technology.

Relative Unknown Across River

Despite her high profile at the Medical school,McNeil is relatively unknown on this side of theCharles.

But colleagues at the Medical School say theyhave nothing but respect for McNeil. Cavendishdescribes her as "a workaholic, a fanatic fordetail, and a very bright and dedicatedindividual."

"Other colleagues describe her as "verysupportive" and "smart, charming, gracious."

"She's phenomenal--she's almost inhuman,"Cavendish says. "A very focused person," he adds.

And though none acknowledged that they hadheard about McNeil as a provost candidate,co-workers say she would be a fine choice for thejob.

"I think she'd be outstanding. My onlyreservation would be that we would hate to loseher," Cleary says.

"My understanding is that she's been offeredmany jobs at that she's been offered many jobs atthat level," says Assistant Professor of HealthCare Policy Edward Guadagnoli.

McNeil, who was born in Cambridge, graduatedfrom Emmanuel College in 1962. She was "the starof the residents class" in the first class ofnuclear medicine residents at the Harvard MedicalSchool, according to Cavendish.

She lives in Boston and is said to collectOriental rugs