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ORE Staff Appointed to Key NORDP Roles

Four staff members in the Office of Research and Engagement were recently appointed to roles in the National Organization of Research Developers (NORDP).

Kimberly Eck, ORE’s director of research development, was appointed to the NORDP board of directors, which helps set the strategic direction for the organization. In this role, she plans create guidelines for position descriptions and roles for research professionals, assuring standardization across the field. Eck aims to create entry pathways for aspiring research professionals and attract participation from research professionals in non-university organizations such as national laboratories, corporations, and the healthcare field. Board members are appointed for four-year terms.

Missy Jenkins, strategic research initiatives coordinator, was named to the executive committee for the southeast region of NORDP. This is the first formally recognized regional affinity group within the organization. Within the southeast region, Jenkins will work to create an institutional exchange of research professionals as well as events to convene research development professionals and researchers as a way to learn new or different skills, support membership growth in the region, and form new collaborations.

Sharon Pound, strategic research initiatives manager, was appointed to the communications committee. She will serve as managing editor for the NORDP blog and help source and author content.

Jennifer Webster, strategic research initiatives manager, continues her role as NORDP’s NIH liaison, working with research professionals at both NORDP and UT to promote opportunities to work with the agency.

“I am so proud of the Research Development Team and their leadership in this field at a national level,” said Eck. “This is a testament to their dedication and level of excellence in the research development community.”