If you ever wondered who keeps complex, multi-stakeholder research projects running smoothly behind the scenes, meet Lindsay Lane, Research Project Manager with the Epidemiology Research Team at UNC. Her title might not hint at it, but Lindsay is the connective tissue behind UNC’s North Carolina Lung Screening Registry—a statewide initiative that’s tracking real-world outcomes for one of the newest and most impactful cancer screening tools in modern medicine.
“I have a hand in pretty much everything,” Lindsay says with a laugh. “IRB submissions, data requests, DUAs, REDCap forms, running meetings—herding cats, basically. I make sure we meet all of our grant requirements and keep everyone moving in the same direction.”
“Lindsay strikes a perfect balance between friendliness and professionalism,” says Thad Benefield, Statistician, Carolina Mammography Registry. “She approaches her work with enthusiasm, proficiency, thoroughness, and competence, usually while smiling!”
It’s a job that requires organization, resilience, and a unique mix of scientific understanding and people skills—qualities Lindsay has honed across a winding, multidisciplinary career that began far from public health.
From Anthropology to Epidemiology
Lindsay’s academic background is in anthropology, with a minor in Australian studies (yes, really). “I’ve always been fascinated by people—how they live, how they interact. I was a huge National Geographic nerd growing up.” Her love of people led her to study abroad at the University of Sydney and eventually down the path of medical anthropology, inspired by a favorite professor.
But like many great stories, hers includes detours: a stint as a legal assistant (“didn’t enjoy it”), a few odd jobs, and even beekeeping while applying to grad school. It was during her time studying epidemiology at UAB that she dove into the writings of Paul Farmer, whose blend of anthropology and global health deeply shaped her outlook.
“I thought I was going to spend my career chasing infectious disease outbreaks. I was drawn to that urgency, the constant change.” And for a time, she did, working for a county health department before shifting into research at the University of South Florida. When her husband accepted a position at UNC, the couple moved to Chapel Hill—and Lindsay landed with UNC’s epidemiology research group in 2019.
The “Unsexy” Side of Epidemiology That Matters Deeply
At first glance, lung cancer research may not seem as glamorous as infectious disease outbreak work. Lindsay admits she once felt the same—until a public health dean offered this reminder:
“International infectious disease epi is sexy—you fly in, save the day. But cancer epi? It’s a marathon, not a sprint. The outcomes are just as important, sometimes more.”
That stuck. And she’s never looked back.
Lung cancer screening, in particular, is a relatively new frontier, with standardized recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force only arriving in 2013. Lindsay’s work helps understand howscreening works outside of clinical trial setting—in the real world, among real patients.
“This is cutting-edge,” she says. “We’re testing how these recommendations work in the real world. It’s exciting, and it’s evolving all the time.”
Advice for Future Epidemiologists: Stay Curious, Stay Flexible
Lindsay is quick to encourage aspiring epidemiologists to keep an open mind. “There are so many different ways into this work. On our team, we have folks with business backgrounds, medical scribes, medical assistants—people who bring real-world insight into how data is collected and used. That’s invaluable.”
She also advises not to cling too tightly to plans. “Things rarely go how you expect. But there’s always a path forward. Keep the big picture in mind—what are we really trying to do here? We’re saving lives through lung cancer screening. Even when we’re tweaking a REDCap form or waiting on a report—it’s part of something bigger.”
And through it all, communication is key. “Learning to ask questions, check in with your team, and speak up—it can prevent a lot of problems before they happen.”
Outside of Work: Guitars, Bluegrass, and a Budding Musician
When she’s not managing a statewide lung screening registry, Lindsay’s life is wonderfully full. She’s the proud mom of a very active 1.5-year-old, who apparently shares his dad’s musical genes. “One of his first words was guitar,” she says. Her husband plays, and music is a central part of their family life.
They’re often found at local concerts—Southern Village’s “Music in the Park” or shows around Carrboro—with their son in tow. She also loves cooking and baking (though the toddler limits how much mess she can make these days), and spending time with their three-year-old dog.
The Lighter Side of Lindsay
- One word to describe herself? Layered
- Favorite thing about herself? “I don’t take myself too seriously—I can laugh at myself.”
- Superpower of choice? Flight
- Autobiography title? Changing Lanes
- Best friend’s description? Creative. Enthusiastic. Thoughtful.
- On repeat? Lately: A bluegrass band called The Cleverlys, who cover pop songs in banjo-fueled harmony All time: Radiohead
- Actor in her life story? A movie animated by my sister, voiced by me
And if she could pick the brain of anyone?
“Julia Child. I’m reading My Life in France and her zest for life is infectious. She jumped into French cooking later in life, and it just clicked. She was passionate, kind, and so joyful. That resonates with me.”
Also, a serious answer: Paul Farmer, who lit the initial spark that led Lindsay to this field. “He understood the social roots of disease like no one else. His work touched millions.”
Big Picture Thinking in a Detail-Heavy World
In a field that demands attention to the tiniest details, Lindsay Lane never loses sight of why the work matters. She brings insight, warmth, and perspective to a role that’s as mission-driven as it is technical. Whether she’s solving a workflow issue or tracking down a report, her steady presence and sense of humor remind everyone around her: we’re in this to do good science and help people—and that is always worth it.