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Research Staff

 

Research Director
Research Managers
Research Coordinators/Specialists 
Research Assistants

 

Research Director

Caroline Poulton, MSW, Research Director
caroline_poulton@unc.edu | 919-445-2636

Ms. Poulton earned her Master of Social Work degree with a macro concentration in broad based community services from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has over 15 years of research experience, particularly in observational research, data management, regulatory affairs, and multi-site study management.

Her research interests include research ethics, data quality improvement, research administration and keeping research subjects informed and engaged in research.

Please contact Caroline for questions regarding:

  • New research opportunities
  • Research protocol development
  • Development of study databases (RedCap, Access)
  • Research registries

Research Managers

Lauren Blazek, Clinical Research Data Manager
lmccabe@email.unc.edu | 919-445-2635
Expertise: Data Management, Registry Operations, Chart Abstraction, Data Entry

Lauren Blazek is a Social/Clinical Research Specialist in the Department of Nephrology and Hypertension. She has over 6.5 years of observational/translational research experience and manages the operations of the Glomerular Disease Collaborative Network (GDCN). She received her B.A. in Psychology from North Carolina State University and began working for UNC following graduation.

Her research interests include project management, organization, and database development. She enjoys traveling to the coast, hiking, and baking desserts.

Please contact Lauren for questions related to the following topics:

  • General questions relating to the Glomerular Disease Collaborative Network
  • Regulatory Affairs (IRB Submissions using GDCN data)
  • Staff support for research
  • Glomerular Disease Collaborative Network Annual Meeting information

Cassandra (Cassie) Picataggio, MHA, Research Projects Manager
cassandra_bowman@unc.edu | 919-445-6790
Expertise: Patient-centered, Behavioral Health, Qualitative research studies

Cassie Picataggio is a Research Projects Manager at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Kidney Center. She earned her Master’s of Healthcare Administration from the McGowan School of Business at King’s College. She has over 6 years of experience working on chronic kidney disease (CKD) related studies, including: patient-centered, behavioral health, and qualitative research studies. She currently manages multiple dialysis related studies by overseeing research operations, regulatory requirements, and guiding stakeholder engagement and project workgroups.

Her research interests include supporting research initiatives focused on overcoming health inequities, education and advocacy for patients with CKD, implementation science research, and qualitative research methods. She enjoys hiking with her dog, playing tennis, and traveling.

Please contact Cassie for questions related to the following topics:

  • Dialysis related research
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Research operations

Anne Froment, MSW, Clinical Research Manager
anne_froment@med.unc.edu | 919-445-2622
Expertise: Clinical Trial Management

Anne Froment is a Clinical Research Manager in the Department of Nephrology and Hypertension. She has over 10 years of clinical research experience and likes to follow a clinical trial from budget negotiation to close-out. Ms. Froment studied economics and social work and learned all that she knows about clinical trials on the job at UNC.

Her research interests include nutrition and preventative medicine. She enjoys biking to work, hiking, and DIY projects.

Please contact Anne for questions in our department related to the following topics.

  • New clinical trials
  • Regulatory affairs (FDA Submissions, IRB Submissions)
  • Staff support for research

Sara Kelley, MPH, Project Manager
sara_kelley@med.unc.edu | 919-445-2658
Expertise: Observational, interventional research

Sara Kelley is a Clinical Research Manager at the UNC Kidney Center. She graduated with her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from East Carolina University. Currently, she manages several observational and interventional research studies related to kidney disease. She is interested in research related to diabetes as well as access to health care, exercise opportunities, and healthy foods among rural populations. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, baking, and spending time with her dog and family.

Jill Powell, MPH, Program Manager
jill_powell@med.unc.edu | 919-445-2618
Expertise: community based research, chronic kidney disease education & prevention

Jill Powell is a Program Coordinator at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Kidney Center. She received her Master’s of Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Her research interests include developing and disseminating health education material, improving health services access for underserved populations, understanding the patient experience and patient reported outcomes. She is also interested in digital health and qualitative research.

Jill coordinates the Kidney Education and Outreach Program (KEOP) at the Kidney Center, whose mission is to reduce the burden of kidney disease on patients, families and the community in North Carolina. KEOP conducts community education talks and community screenings for signs of kidney disease. Outside of work, Jill enjoys spending time at home with her family, running and cooking.

Please contact Jill for questions in our department related to the following topics:

  • Kidney education and outreach
  • Mobile Outreach Unit
  • Health education material
  • Community education talks

Research Coordinators/Specialists

Tashas Cameron-Wheeler
tcamero@med.unc.edu | 919-445-2898

Tashas Cameron-Wheeler is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the UNC Kidney Center. In 2020 she received her Associates Degree in Clinical Trials Research. She has worked for over 25 years in the health care industry & has over 14 years of supervisory experience and training in regulatory compliance. Tashas is passionate about enrolling underrepresented groups into clinical trials to ensure new drugs and devices help all individuals. She is enthusiastic about ensuring diverse patient enrollment in research.

Emmie Cole, MS, CCRP
emmie_cole@med.unc.edu | 919-445-2662

Emmie Cole is a Research Coordinator with the Flythe research program. They have a Master’s in Occupational Therapy, a Bachelor’s in Psychology, and a Minor in Biology. Emmie has been working in clinical research at UNC’s School of Medicine for seven years. In addition to their work in the Psychiatry and Oncology departments, Emmie has over three years of experience coordinating research projects at the UNC Kidney Center. Currently, Emmie is supporting Dr. Flythe’s research studies in dialysis clinics, with a focus on empowering patients and improving their quality of life through innovative trials that center on the patient experience. Outside of the office, Emmie enjoys reading, gaming, and gardening when they aren’t busy cuddling their young daughter.

Jasmine Durham
jrdurham@email.unc.edu | 919-962-5450

Jasmine Durham is a Clinical Research Coordinator in the UNC Kidney Center. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Virginia State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Management of Clinical Informatics at Duke University. She has previously worked in the Clinical Trials Lab at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and in Carolina Cord Blood Bank at Duke University. She is enthusiastic about working with pediatric patients in clinic and hopes that her work will improve health outcomes for children in disadvantaged communities. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her puppy, cooking, and exploring new food places in the Triangle!

Yichun Hu, MS
yichunhu@med.unc.edu | 919-445-2680
Yichun Hu is a statistician at the Kidney Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. She earned her master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from the Institute of Mathematical Sciences at the Dalian University of Technology in China, and received her master’s degree of Statistics in the department of Statistics and Operational research at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She has more than 12 years of experience in statistical analysis of kidney disease, focused on sample size estimation, various statistical models for clinical medicine and lab research, and risk factor analyses for end-stage kidney disease (ESRD), ANCA-associated small vessel vasculitis and diabetes with kidney disease. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, staying active, and cooking.

Sora Lee
leesora@email.unc.edu | 919-445-2657

Sora Lee is a Social/Clinical Research Specialist at the UNC Kidney Center. She received her Associate Degree in Clinical Trials Research. She began working in research at Research Triangle Institute by conducting health surveys. She currently works on medical device clinical trials by recruiting and enrolling patients and collecting and managing study-related data. Her interest in research is enhancing diversity and increasing patient engagement in clinical trials.

LewisSarah Lewis
Sarah_Lewis@med.unc.edu | 919-445-2730

Sarah Lewis is a Senior Clinical Research Data Coordinator at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Kidney Center. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her current research interests focus on complement activation in patients with ANCA vasculitis, as well as the management and improvement of systems related to biospecimen collection and storage. Outside of the lab, Sarah enjoys traveling, hiking, and relaxing with a good book.

Young-Hyun Moon
Younghyun_moon@med.unc.edu | 919-445-6785

Young-Hyun Moon is a Research Technician at the University of North Carolina Kidney Center. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Duke University and has over four years of clinical experience working as a medical scribe in Nephrology and OB-GYN. His current research interests include studying antigen specific B-cells in ANCA vasculitis and regulatory B- and T-cells in IgA nephropathy. He is also enthusiastic about working with pediatric patients in clinic. He enjoys cooking, practicing the guitar, and playing sports.

Annabel Rivera, MS
annariv@email.unc.edu | 919-966-2561

Annabel Rivera is a Research Specialist at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Kidney Center. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from North Carolina State University and her Master’s degree in Microbiology & Immunology from the University at Buffalo. Prior to UNC, she worked at Community Blood Center of the Carolinas helping to save local lives, the Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute working on studies to advance human health, and the University at Buffalo teaching undergraduate students. With over 6 years of laboratory experience, her passion remains in making a difference through research and service. She is currently interested in immunology research relative to autoimmune diseases and cancer. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her loved ones.

Christine Wai
cwai@email.unc.edu | 919-966-1142

 

 

Sharia Warren
sharia_warren@med.unc.edu | 919-445-2696

Sharia Warren is a Clinical Research Coordinator in the UNC Kidney Center. She received her Associate Degree in Clinical Trials Research. She worked at Duke for 12 years and has over 7 years of clinical research experience.  In pursuit of furthering her education, Sharia will be starting her Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Research at North Carolina Central University this fall. This demonstrates her dedication to continuous learning and growth within the field of clinical research. Outside of her professional life, Sharia finds joy in spending quality time with her family, including her two daughters and beloved pup. She also enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and getting lost in a good book for relaxation. Sharia Warren’s dedication to kidney research not only benefits those affected by these conditions but also brings personal fulfillment and happiness to her life.

Czesty Williams
cewill@email.unc.edu | 919-445-2696

Czesty Williams is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Kidney Center. She earned her B.A. in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and joined UNC upon graduation. Currently, Czesty is pursuing her Master of Public Health at the UNC Gillings School of Public Health, concentrating on leadership in practice. Her research focuses on empowering pediatric patients through health education and addressing health disparities in historically disadvantaged communities. Czesty is particularly passionate about developing interventions that promote health literacy and self-efficacy among pediatric patients. She aims to implement sustainable solutions that reduce disparities and promote health equity for children in underserved areas.

Research Assistants

Sahib Chandi
sachandi@email.unc.edu | 919-966-2561

Sahib Chandi is a Research Assistant in the Flythe research program. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from North Carolina State University. He has been involved in research in the NC State Biotechnology Department investigating plant transcriptomics with implications for plant growth optimization. His interests in research include social determinants of health, equitable care access for disadvantaged communities, patient-reported outcome measures, and patient nutrition/lifestyle support. Currently, he supports the SMARRT-HD Study. In his free time, Sahib enjoys dancing and going on road trips with friends and family.

Samantha Rubio
srubio@email.unc.edu | 919-445-2622

Samantha Rubio is a Clinical Research Assistant at the UNC Kidney Center. She completed her Bachelor’s in Medicine at Universidad de San Martin de Porres in Peru, her Masters in Nutrition at CEU San Pablo in Spain and is currently completing her Master’s in Public Health at the University of North Carolina. Her current research interests include mixed methods research, social determinants of health, nutrition related diseases, obesity prevention and type 2 diabetes prevention, management and long term effects. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, pets, jogging and exploring new restaurants in the triangle.

Kaitlin Shuping, MPHTM
Kaitlin_Shuping@med.unc.edu | 919-445-4303

Kaitlin Shuping is a Clinical Research Assistant at the UNC Kidney Center. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biological Anthropology from Appalachian State University and a Master’s of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (MPHTM) from Tulane University. Academically, she focuses on the co-evolutionary history of people, pathogens, and animals. Kaitlin is interested in studying the relationship between acquiring an infectious disease and the subsequent outcome of an acute kidney injury. Her professional aspirations include promoting patient autonomy, delivering inclusive and culturally competent care, and quantitively assessing infectious disease burden across local and global communities. Kaitlin enjoys exploring new food and music venues in the Triangle in her free time.

Amanpreet Singh
aksingh8@email.unc.edu | 919-966-2561

Amanpreet Singh is a Research Assistant in the Flythe research program. She has a Bachelor of Sciences in Human Biology with a Minor in Health, Medicine and Human Values. This is the first time she is doing clinical research and is excited to be a part of Dr. Flythe’s team and will support Dr. Flythe’s dialysis studies. Her interests include providing support and care for minorities, especially women. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her friends and family, trying new restaurants, and doing Bhangra.