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Leadership Changes for the Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC)

After many years devoted to building and leading institution-wide clinical and translational research programs, Michael Fried, M.D. has decided to reduce his administrative responsibilities in one of his many roles, as director of the UNC NC TraCS Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC), so that he can devote an increased proportion of his efforts to the rapidly growing, cutting-edge clinical and translational research programs focused on liver diseases – programs he has developed at UNC and now leads nationally and internationally. Fried, professor of medicine (Gastroenterology and Hepatology), was named associate director of the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) in 2003. In 2008, when the UNC CTSA grant was awarded, the GCRC was merged with the Carolina Center for Clinical Trials (CCCT) to become the NC TraCS CTRC. As director of the more comprehensive and larger CTRC, Fried played a crucial role in managing the reorganization of these units. Over the past three years he has worked tirelessly to ensure that essential services offered by the CTRC for clinical research were available to a broad range of investigators across the UNC campus. In focusing his work on liver diseases, Fried will further develop clinical and translational studies focused on two important themes in viral hepatitis: (1) understanding the variable natural history of the disease and (2) optimizing outcomes to antiviral therapy among diverse populations.

NC TraCS PI Extender for Clinical Research on the CTSA, John Buse, M.D., Ph.D., has assumed the role of interim medical director of the CTRC. He has also been reappointed as executive associate dean for clinical research in the School of Medicine. Buse is a professor in the School of Medicine, chief of the division of endocrinology and metabolism and director of the UNC Diabetes Care Center.

Barbara Dahl, MS, retired June 3, 2011 from her position as associate director of operations of the CTRC. Dahl’s dedication, enthusiasm and her tireless advocacy for the CTRC’s staff and its investigators will be greatly missed.

Leslie Powell, M.S.,R.N.,C.P.N.P. has transitioned into Dahl’s position effective June 6, 2011. Her new title is administrative director of clinical research operations. Powell is already an established leader in her work as a pediatrics research nurse practitioner within both the NC TraCS Child Health Core and the CTRC. She brings to the position a wealth of knowledge, experience and focus and is extremely well-organized. As part of her child health relationship with CTRC, Powell is already integrated into the day-to-day operations.