The Network for Research Professionals (NRP) recently bestowed its inaugural annual awards during the 2025 NRP Research Conference to deserving members, including a lifetime achievement award presented to Valorie Buchholz. The awards were created to celebrate the diverse achievements of the NRP members and inspire others to strive for excellence in their research endeavors.
Buchholz was recognized with the lifetime achievement award for her exceptional commitment to public service, research integrity, and dedication to quality, which has profoundly shaped the ethical and compliant research environment at Carolina. As deputy research compliance officer, she has been instrumental in developing institutional policies and ensuring adherence to federal regulations and best practices. A highlight of her impact is the Clinical Trials Quality Assurance Program, which she created in 2014 to significantly improve research practices and accountability.
Beyond her administrative roles, she is a dedicated mentor and educator, guiding faculty, staff, and students in ethical research practices and Good Clinical Practices. Her proactive approach to compliance has fostered a culture where integrity is a shared responsibility.
Buchholz’s enduring contributions have elevated UNC-Chapel Hill’s reputation in clinical research, establishing a legacy of excellence and ethical conduct that will continue to influence future generations of researchers.
Winners of awards in the remaining categories included:
Rising Star in Research Award
Presented to Marleny Nolasco, clinical research coordinator, Department of Neurology, for rapidly becoming an indispensable clinical research coordinator and demonstrating extraordinary initiative and intelligence in building a complex NIH-funded investigator-initiated clinical trial protocol from the ground up. Beyond the trial’s core, Nolasco pioneered a new diagnostic platform and contributed to foundational mouse model research, enabling remarkable progress and diverse impact.
Excellence in Human Subjects Research
Presented to Sara Kelley, senior clinical research coordinator, UNC Kidney Center, for her profound impact to the Kidney Center’s research portfolio, which has included rebuilding the center’s clinical trials program post-COVID, streamlining processes and enhancing data quality, and serving as lead project manager for two multicenter studies, ensuring both coordinators and investigators remain on track. She also successfully launched and enrolled 26 patients into a multi-site, investigator-initiated drug trial this year, creating an external monitoring plan and significantly preparing the team for future investigator-initiated trials.
Presented to Sneha Makhijani, research coordinator, Department of Pediatrics’ Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, for revolutionizing trial implementation, pioneering family-centered consent models, and optimizing workflows to achieve record enrollment and impeccable protocol adherence. Her innovative recruitment strategies boosted enrollment by over 75%, making Carolina the top enroller in the southeast for a key NIH trial. Makhijani’s patient-centered empathy and commitment to ethical research have set a new standard at UNC Hospitals, building vital trust with patients and families. This fall, she will continue her work as a research professional by beginning medical school here at Carolina.
Research Communication Excellence
Presented to Carleigh Gabryel, strategic communications manager, Office of Research Communications, for recognizing the critical need to communicate the value and impact of Carolina’s research during a period of uncertainty, and swiftly conceiving and spearheading the “UNC Research Is NC” social media campaign which has provided a targeted mechanism for disseminating key information to influential decision-makers. The campaign’s widespread popularity has demonstrably amplified the reach of UNC Research, evidenced by a two-fold growth across its social media platforms.
Collaborative Research Leadership
Presented to Jill Cunnup, director of clinical research administration, UNC Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, for her exceptional contributions to research administration. Her unwavering dedication, extensive knowledge across multiple divisions, and tireless advocacy have made her an indispensable asset at Carolina. Cunnup was recognized for actively mentoring colleagues and proactively identifying challenges and implementing collaborative solutions, streamlining workflows, and enhancing efficiency across departments. Her passion for excellence and ability to bridge gaps between divisions have profoundly strengthened Carolina’s research community.
Community Impact
Presented to Jennifer McBride, clinical research specialist, Department of Pediatrics’ General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, whose work on the Greenlight Plus study significantly impacted patients across North Carolina and beyond. As a dedicated coordinator, she was not only instrumental in data collection but also in the successful implementation and efficacy of an intervention for children with or at risk of obesity. Her substantial contributions are evidenced by sub-authorship in three recent publications related to the study. Beyond her research achievements, she has also been a passionate advocate for UNC’s underserved communities, successfully lobbying for and implementing changes in early 2025 to streamline the financial aid process.
NRP Excellence Award
Presented to Susan Moist, director of clinical trial operations, Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, for profoundly reinvigorating the NRP by championing new opportunities for member socialization and networking. Beyond fostering connection, Moist has diligently updated NRP bylaws, created numerous guidelines, and actively encourages members to innovate how the NRP interacts with institutional stakeholders. Her leadership and innovative spirit embody the NRP’s vision of creating a collaborative, connected, and preeminent research community.
With the exception of the NRP excellence award, a call for nominations was sent to the NRP listserv and a selection committee comprised of members of the NRP Steering Committee reviewed all nominations and selected the winners. The NRP excellence award accepted nominations from the NRP steering committee, and the NRP steering committee voted for the recipient of the award.