Core Facility Administration

Office of Translational Technologies

The Office of Translational Technologies (OTT) provides operational support to the University’s core facilities, and serves as a resource for investigators needing information and access to general and specialized scientific instrumentation and services available from our core facilities.

OTT Services:

• Assistance with Operational Infrastructure
  OTT assists core facilities deal with a range of operational needs; application process for new recharge service centers as well as rate revisions for existing cores, survey design and distribution which provide valuable feedback to core directors from their client base, and identification of laboratory, information, and financial management systems which may be useful tools for increasing core efficiency.

• Education and Training
  OTT organizes and assists with educational workshops and forums which focus on introducing core users to new technologies, as well as training and information for core directors.  Offerings in the past have included presentations from industry introducing new technologies, core directors covering available services and techniques, and group talks on specific scientific research areas.

• Increasing Core Visibility
  OTT strives to increase awareness and usage of our core facilities through promotional materials, website, and events highlighting core facilities.

• Advocacy
  OTT is engaged in a continuing conversation with Office of Sponsored Research and School of Medicine Office of Research to develop, disseminate and implement policies and guidelines affecting core facilities.

OTT Staff:

 Michael Topal, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for Core Technologies
School of Medicine
E-mail: michael_topal@med.unc.edu
Phone: (919) 966-8208

Christopher Barker, Ph.D.
Director, Office of Translational Technologies
E-mail: chris_barker@med.unc.edu
Phone: (919) 843-6745

Annabelle Stein
Assistant Director, Office of Translational Technologies
E-mail: abelle@med.unc.edu
Phone: (919) 843-9554

Core Facilities Advocacy Committee (CFAC)

Reviewing the scientific and operational status of cores is a major function of the committee. The committee includes faculty members chosen for their expertise in specific categories of technology and for their interest in strengthening core facilities at UNC. Current categories, each advocating for multiple cores, include 1) Animal Models and Phenotyping, 2) Biochemistry,
3) Clinical/Translational, 4) Genomics and 5) Imaging.  Committee members work directly with core facility directors to evaluate and recommend upgrading of technology and to ensure high-quality services and user satisfaction. The committee reviews requests and makes recommendations for expenditures for core facilities, including the purchase of new equipment.
The role of CFAC includes advising the Vice Dean of Research on equipment needs and funding development of new core facility technologies, space allocation, and the expansion, sunsetting, and consolidation of existing cores. 

Cost Analysis and Compliance, Office of Sponsored Research

 The Cost Analysis and Compliance Office performs the institutional review, appproval and oversight function that allows research service center facilities to charge fees for services.