Three members of the School of Medicine staff have received 2017 Research Staff Appreciation Awards, in recognition of their exemplary support in the conduct of basic, clinical and translational research projects. The School of Medicine launched this new annual awards program in 2015. Recipients are honored at a luncheon with School of Medicine leadership. Below you can find statements from their nominators about their outstanding contributions to research at Duke.
Research Staff Appreciation Awards
Chantelle Hardy, Clinical Trials Project Leader I, Department of Population Health Sciences
“It is the regulatory foundation that Chantelle oversees that enables the department to make data accessible to researchers around the institution. In doing so, she is directly responsible for contributing to excellence in research not just for her own department, but the School of Medicine as a whole. A broad range of clinical and research faculty have come to rely on Chantelle’s expertise in project management, business development, operational optimization, and navigation of regulatory approvals. Chantelle is often cited as the ideal role model for junior staff. She works tirelessly, often coming in early mornings or staying late into the evening, to help lead our projects from start-up to successful completion. Chantelle’s skillset is superb yet what truly distinguishes her is the way in which she does her job and other members of the staff take notice of this. Chantelle has the rare combination of an easy-going manner with a perfectionist tendency towards details. This combination allows her to work well with a wide range of personalities. From the very start of her tenure here at Duke in 2006, Chantelle quickly developed a reputation for both the high quality of her work and her strong interpersonal skills.” Michaela Dinan, Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health Sciences.
Beth Perry, Clinical Research Associate II, Department of Neurosurgery
“Working with diverse protocols, many investigators, and many disciplines requires impeccable organization and attention to detail, and Beth excels in both. The thoroughness of her preparation of IRB submissions speaks to this attention to detail. Her clinical knowledge, nursing skills, and writing skills are invaluable to the department. Beth pursues excellence in all stages of her work life. She exercises sound judgement and decision making in a position where integrity is critical. She worked with leadership to create a central clinical research unit within the Duke Office of Clinical Research. While others may have run from this challenge, she embraced something new in order to improve performance.” Kathy Tobin, Chief Department Administrator, Department of Neurosurgery
James Burris Jr., Facilities Managers, School of Medicine Zebrafish Core Facility
“Jim is loyal and devoted, he works hard, and he cares about Duke and Duke research. He will do whatever needs to be done to ensure animal health and research success. This can be technical tasks like optimizing feed regimens and plumbing design; helping PI’s design, set up, and break in new facilities; handling complicated paperwork, veterinary oversight, and group tours for funding organization representatives; dealing with complex personnel problems among staff or faculty; and finding the best way to save costs so that research dollars are stretched as far as possible. Jim also contributes to increasing Duke’s reputation, having served as President of the Zebrafish Husbandry Association, by attending meetings and giving presentations, and by advising managers at other facilities throughout the world.” Ken Poss, James B. Duke Professor of Cell Biology
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for one of the three Research Staff Awards (Basic, Clinical, or Translational), an individual must meet all of the following criteria:
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Must be a Research Assistant, Senior Research Specialist, Clinical Research Coordinator, or a staff member employed by the School of Medicine, who provides exemplary support in the conduct of research. Not Eligible: Faculty or staff members who have primary investigator status; research fellows, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students; administrative professionals.
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Current role provides technical expertise to support any research program (including translational, clinical, data sciences, or basic science research) in a manner which underpins the effective and efficient promotion of the research mission in the School of Medicine
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At least 5 years of continuous service in a research role in the School of Medicine
Demonstrated record of excellent performance
The call for nominations for the 2018 awards will be announced in the fall.