Karen joined UNC in March 2003 in the Program for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (PMBB) at the Immunology Core Facility after taking 8 years off to raise a family.  Before taking time off she worked at Vanderbilt University ('88-93) and University of California at Berkeley ('93-95). Karen worked at the Immunology Core Facility until 2010 when she joined the Neurology Department.  In 2012 she joined the Antibody Core Facility where she currently works as a Research Specialist.

Recipients of the 10-Year Service Award receive a framed certificate from the department, a UNC blanket and an annual longevity check from the University.

Photo below: Antibody Core Director, Mike Miley, hands Karen her 10-Year Service Award. Click for enlargement.

Photo below: Arlene Sandoval congratulates Karen on her award.  Click for enlargement.

Xinni received her 5-Year Service Award March 20, honoring her 5 years with UNC. Currently a Research Specialist in the Wang lab, Xinni joined the Department of Pharmacology in 2007 as a member of JoAnn Trejo's lab, after working at the Pediatric Department at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. When Dr. Trejo moved to Scripps in 2008,  Xinni transferred to Pilar Blancafort's lab where she worked until August, 2012. When Dr. Blancafort moved to the University of Western Australia last summer, Xinni joined Zefeng Wang's lab, where she is currently a member.

Photo below: Wang lab group photo. Click for enlargement.

More photos of Wang lab members at the celebration (click for enlargements).

Grant has had Primary Immune Deficiency (PID) since he was a baby but started to get IVIG treatments which are helping him to live a more normal life. In September 2012 he had a successful tympanoplasty done at UNC to repair a hole in his left eardrum; a previous attempt in 2010 was unsuccessful. To learn more about Grant's journey see his blog at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/grantrogers/.

The department raised $880 to buy toys and clothing for Grant and Collin.  The faculty donated another $350 to the parents, Kimberly and Michael Rogers, raising over $1200 all together for the Rogers family.

The family attended a luncheon December 17 with the admin staff so we could meet them and give them their gifts.  We planned the luncheon for that day because Grant had to come to UNC for a check up on the tympanoplasty.  The check up showed good results so it was a very good day for the family.   As you can see from the photos, they were very happy and appreciative for all the gifts.

Photo below: Rogers family on left with admin staff - click for enlargement

Below are more photos from the luncheon - click for enlargements

Photo below: Victor Perez holds the plaque he received with his award.
Click for larger view.

Photo above (L to R): Betsy Clarke, Eddie Gill and Patty Holloway hold their awards.
Click for larger image.

Photo above (L to R): Rob Nicholas hands Josh Tomberg his 10-Year Service Award.
Click for larger image.

Pictured above (L-R): Tom Mangano, Sandy Hufeisen and Xi-Ping Huang. Click for larger image.
Pictured below: Estela Lopez.

In addition, our faculty donated  $945.  We purchased a $300 gift card at Walmart for the Mother of the 4 children, the remainder ($645) went to the Toy Chest,  a separate entity of Orange County Social Services set up for families who don't get sponsored.  These families can pick 3 toys for each of their children and a bag of groceries (or more depending on how many are in their family).

Many thanks to everyone who participated!

Photo below:  Department members pose with toys, food and other items bought for the family.

Photo below: Chris Turner holds plaque he received for the W. Scott Blackwood Award. (Click for larger image.)

As the business administrator for the department for more than 18 years, Chris now directs twelve administrative personnel in the department office involved in the management of grants, accounting, IT physical facilities and human resources for 23 faculty, more than 175 employees and $28 million in extramural funding.

Quotes from the nomination letters below give an idea of why Chris is so deserving of this award.

"Chris has been nothing short of outstanding as the departments’ administrative leader."

"Chris requires of himself three very important duties: 1. He must at all times effectively work with the faculty to keep the department solvent and vibrant, 2. To make sure everyone in the department follows policies according to UNC guidelines, and 3. Work with his faculty, administrative staff and the chair to provide outstanding support for promoting research and education. Chris has done this and far exceeded all of our expectations as a collective faculty."

"Chris is the chief accounting officer and has an absolutely amazing grasp of the details for every account in the department."

"…Chris is highly efficient, organized and works extremely effectively with everyone in the department.  He is always positive, respectful and helpful no matter who he is working with at the time."

"He works very effectively with all the administrators in other departments and centers."

"… it is clear to everyone in the department, including me, that Chris is the “go to” guy.  He can either effectively help you or inform you of the process or person you need for the issue at hand.  He is an extraordinary facilitator and leader for the department.  We simply could not function at the high level we strive for without his leadership."

"As a person, Chris is extremely organized and has outstanding people skills.  He realizes the need for people to advance in their lives and helps them to do so."

"He works with individuals to make sure they understand their role in the department and to support them in a way that ensures they receive all the necessary training to competently perform their duties.  Chris also strongly encourages each person in the department to be aware of how to take advantage of new training opportunities and how this advances their career."

"He has an open door policy for students, fellows and staff for helping to provide the necessary counseling for their success in maneuvering through the development of their careers."

"The environment Chris creates in Pharmacology is one of unity and mutual respect.  Because of this very positive environment, the support staff in the department work extremely well together to continue to improve the skill set needed for optimal efficiency."

Our congratulations again to Chris for receiving this award honoring his outstanding work as our Research Administrator!

“Chris exemplifies what every supervisor should strive for,” a nominator said. “He is supportive, encouraging and very passionate about his staff and the department as a whole. … From him, all things grow, including the people around him.”  --as quoted in the University Gazette, June 15 edition.  (To read the University Gazette article on Chris' award, follow the link and scroll to page 5.)

The Chancellor's Task Force for a Better Workplace created the Outstanding Encouragement of Learning & Development (OELD) award in 2003 to recognize supervisors who encourage their staff to engage in learning activities within the framework of an effective workplace.

The OELD Award is open to both SPA and EPA managers who have at least one year of continuous University service. The award is presented annually to one manager and includes 24 hours of paid time off, automatic nomination for a Chancellor's Award in the category of Human Relations and a plaque.

Our congratulations to Chris!

Photo above (click for enlargment): Chris Turner stands with members of the Pharmacology Department administrative staff after receiving the Outstanding Encouragement of Learning & Development Award. From left to right: Tangi Covington, Betsy Clarke, Jon Evans, Chris Turner, Alfred Dolge, Arlene Sandoval, Janeice Burnette and Andrew Hou.  The administrative staff managed to keep Chris' award a secret for over a month and (with the help of Geri Osborn and Lynn Ray) surprise him at the ceremony when he received it.

Here are a few pictures from the festivities.  Click on an image for a larger view.

Graduate student attendees

Faculty attendees

Lined up at the buffet table

A visit from Santa

Santa and one of his helpers

Chris Turner was also honored for twenty years of service to the Department of Pharmacology.  He received a beautiful wooden box with a dedication written on the top in appreciation of his many years of service.  Congratulations, Chris!

We all appreciate each of you for everything you do for us each and every day all year through! Our thanks and congratulations go out to all of you!

Arlene Sandoval holds her Staff Excellence Award

James, who is behind the camera, taking all the photos, is not in any of the pictures. James emailed the pictures to us, with these words, "It is an honor to work with such good friends that you would sacrifice your time and money to support all of us. The gifts were given to as many personnel as possible. The smiles and joy on every ones faces was overwhelming. I kept a few gifts just for me. Once again, I want to thank all of you and May God bless you."

Thank you, James, and all the others in your unit for the real sacrifices you make everyday on our behalf. And thanks also to Eddie Gill, for organizing the collection and mailing of the packages to Iraq.

More images:

Click on images for enlargements.

The Pharmacology spent part of Friday, April 9, buying, potting and placing beautiful green plants around the atrium, turning it into a warm and inviting place to be. 

Thanks, everyone, for a job well done!  Your efforts are greatly appreciated!

View pictures of the planting session

Please take note of our new address in the left column.