Study Coordinators
Matthew Newell, RN
BA, Religion/East European Studies, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 2006
BSN, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, 2010
Matthew is a clinical research coordinator who joined our team in June 2018. Prior to working with our division he worked as a pediatric ICU nurse at UNC hospital for many years. We are excited to have Matthew join our team! He assists with HPTN 083, and will be taking on some of our CURE and industry-sponsored studies as well.
Phone #: (919) 843-6929
Email: matthew_newell@med.unc.edu
Jonathan Oakes
Jonathan is a Research Specialist, Team Leader, who has been with the IGHID since 2009. He coordinates and collaborates on a plethora of studies. He serves as Team Leader for the Unit’s support staff.
Phone #: (919) 966-6712
Email: jonathan_oakes@med.unc.edu
Allyson Adamo, RN
BS, University of New Hampshire
BSN, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Allyson is a clinical research coordinator who has been with our group since November 2021. She has worked on Cure studies as well as ACTG studies. Prior to working with our group she worked as a pediatric oncology nurse at UNC Hospitals for many years.
Phone: 919-966-8353
Email: allyson_adamo@med.unc.edu
Ann Collins, PA-C
BA in Sociology Wake Forest University
MMS, PA-C Wake Forest University
Ann is a clinical research coordinator who joined our team in February 2022. Her primary responsibilities include study coordination for ACTG studies A5359 and A5357. Prior to this position she worked in clinical practice for 15 years in family medicine, general and plastic/reconstructive surgery.
Phone#: (919) 843-4375
Email: ancollin@email.unc.edu
Hannah Thaxton, RN
BS, University of North Carolina, Greensboro
MSc, University of Nottingham, UK
Hannah is a research assistant for the CURE group and joined us in July, 2018. Prior to joining our division, she worked for UNC hospital providing direct patient care.
Phone #: (919) 843-3482
Email: hannah_thaxton@med.unc.edu
Taylor Whitaker
BA, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Taylor is a research assistant for the CURE group and joined us in February, 2020. She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2019 with a degree in psychology. In addition to assisting with CURE research, she was involved with convalescent plasma donation for COVID-19 patients at UNC Medical Center and other COVID-19 related research. Prior to joining our group, she provided direct patient care at UNC Hospitals where she had the privilege of caring for diverse patient groups.
Phone #: (919) 966-8794
Email: taylor_whitaker@med.unc.edu
Keely Copperthite
Keely is a research assistant and has been with the IGHID since August of 2021. She graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2020 with a degree in Computational Applied Mathematics & Statistics on the Mathematical Biology track. Her responsibilities include assisting with our ACTG, COVID-19, and IGHID studies, as well as providing administrative support. Prior to joining our group, she worked with Fairfax County Health Department as a COVID-19 case investigator, providing valuable public health assistance to over 390 schools both public and private.
Phone #: (919) 448-4382
Email: keely_copperthite@med.unc.edu
Carolina Pastrana-Medina, MSHS 
BA Sociology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
MSHS in Clinical Operations and Healthcare Management, The George Washington University
Carolina is a bilingual research specialist and has been with IGHID since August 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 vaccine trials. Her responsibilities include overseeing daily clinical operations at our remote clinic from campus, conducting study visits, and providing administrative support.
Alex Bradley, RN
RN, Pitt Community College
BSN, East Carolina University
Alex is a research coordinator and has been with IGHID since August 2020. His responsibilities include study recruitment, clinical protocol implementation, and conducting research visits with participants. He is involved with the cure team and interventional studies: IGHID 12107, DMID 21-0018, ACTIV-2D, GS-563-6041, and A5332.
Phone: 919-252-0831