In support of our Research Roadmap goals to maximize stakeholder engagement and enhance our articulation of the benefits and impact of our research enterprise, I’m pleased to announce key leadership transitions and expanded roles within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research’s (OVCR) offices of Research Communications and Partnerships & Impact. These transitions follow the retirement of Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Don Hobart in July, and we are grateful for his many years of service and the vital relationships he cultivated.
Layla Dowdy is now assistant vice chancellor for research engagement and impact. In this role, she spearheads initiatives to enhance and grow the University’s $1.55 billion research enterprise, develops partnership strategies which identfiy areas of research impact, and fosters collaboration to maximize research growth and impact across campus and beyond.
Harrison Gilbert, director of partnerships and impact, has assumed expanded responsibilities, including managing strategic relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and coordinating cross-departmental data generation to respond to agency and stakeholder inquiries. With these responsibilities, he plays a key role in supporting our research compliance, reputation management, and strategic positioning of OVCR priorities.
Carleigh Gabryel has been promoted to interim director of strategic communications, where she will oversee the OVCR website development and administration team, continue to refine and enhance our internal and external strategic engagement efforts, lead engagement with the communicators at our centers and institutes, and develop and lead integrated campaigns to promote UNC Research priorities across the University.
Alyssa LaFaro has been named interim deputy director of research communications, where she will now formally manage the Office of Research Communications’ content team and continue overseeing their award-winning content production, including the annual print edition of UNC Research Stories, the University’s research magazine.
Please join me in congratulating Layla, Harrison, Carleigh, and Alyssa on these well-deserved new roles. We look forward to the continued impact their leadership will bring to the entire research enterprise.
Penny Gordon-Larsen
Vice Chancellor for Research