Introducing the new vice chancellor for research
Professor Penny Gordon-Larsen was appointed interim vice chancellor for research on March 14, 2022. She previously served as the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Healthʼs associate dean for research, a position she held since September 2018.
As vice chancellor, Gordon-Larsen is responsible for setting strategic priorities for research and for overseeing the administrative offices within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, which manage proposals and awards, provide research infrastructure, identify and manage funding opportunities, and develop collaborative research teams and partnerships.
“I am eager to learn more, collaborate on efforts, and support our researchers to achieve great things for North Carolina and the world,” she said. “I look forward to working with stakeholders across campus to endlessly pursue research rigor, excellence, and innovation!”
Assistant vice chancellor for clinical research named
Shakira Henderson has been named assistant vice chancellor for clinical research, effective April 4, 2022. In this newly created role, she will be jointly appointed within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research; with UNC Health, where she serves as vice president for research; and with the UNC School of Medicine (SOM), where she serves as Clinical Research Integration Officer. She will provide seamless integration of clinical research management across all three entities.
Henderson joined UNC Health in December 2021. In her role as vice president, she led efforts between the UNC Health Office of Research Support and Compliance and the SOM Clinical Research Support Office. She worked closely with stakeholders to develop a system-wide research strategy encompassing translational, basic, and clinical research. This experience made her uniquely qualified and positioned to take on expanded responsibilities to align clinical research efforts across campus.
Much of UNC’s clinical research occurs within the health care system. The OVCR strives to utilize Henderson’s joint role to better support the campus community and to enhance research infrastructure. This is an exciting change that will help accelerate efforts to grow clinical research across campus.
Transitions within the Office of Human Research Ethics
Effective March 18, John Roberts will be stepping down as both interim director and associate director for regulatory affairs & compliance of the Office of Human Research Ethics (OHRE) and departing the university. The OVCR has been fortunate to have John at the helm of OHRE where he has helped to lead the office through a period of significant transition. A national search to find a new permanent director is in progress and a search for the associate director for regulatory affairs and compliance will begin soon. Andy Johns will serve as interim director of the office until a permanent director is named.