Congratulations to lab manager Jeffrey Jones of the Cook, Kuhlman, and Strahl labs as the 2014 honoree.The Department’s Staff Recognition Program was established to annually recognize a staff member for their outstanding achievement and service. Nominations are made with the following criteria in mind: teamwork, creativity and innovation, positive attitude, enthusiasm, productivity, flexibility and leadership.
After completing his undergraduate work and graduating magna cum laude from Brigham Young University, Jeff moved to New York City. Except for a few years in Brazil, Manhattan was his home until moving to North Carolina. In New York, Jeff earned two master’s degrees at Columbia University and co-authored eight scientific publications. A highlight was presenting data at an international conference in Berlin. Jeff has been employed with the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics since 2010. He manages three labs simultaneously (the only staff member in the Department who can claim to this feat). He oversees several work study students and lab technicians among the groups – along with keeping up with his own research projects. In his own words, managing the multiple research groups “…has allowed me to see each as a kind of high-powered small business whose goals are the training of a highly skilled workforce and the production and publication of knowledge.” In support of this experience, Jeff has chosen to further develop his research management skill sets and has taken a range of business and accounting classes the past two years.
On Friday, March 6, 2015, Jeff was formally given his plaque and $500 cash award for the staff award honor. As a testament to Jeff being the perfect fit and candidate as the recipient of this award, he states, “I applaud the creators of the staff excellence award for recognizing those who support the department’s scientific staff. Years of budget cuts at the University and current funding challenges have stretched us thin. I think that the support staff in our department is an especially hard-working group, and I’m proud to be a part of our effort.” Congratulations to Jeff and his enduring hard work and service to the Department!