The UNC Department of Urology is proud to announce that Deborah Usinger, Health Services Research Program Manager, has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the UNC Network for Research Professionals (NRP).
Presented during the 2026 UNC NRP Research Conference, this award honors individuals whose careers reflect sustained excellence, leadership, and enduring impact across the UNC research enterprise. It is fitting recognition for Deborah, who for more than two decades has helped shape and strengthen research across UNC.
During the award nomination process, Department Chair Matthew Nielsen, MD, commented, “Deb has always impressed me with her extraordinary attention to detail, knowledge, excellent communication and organizational skills, and is consistently an absolute delight to work with. She has been a key architect in building our research infrastructure. From developing systems of work, identifying a personnel structure to execute those, and recruiting, developing – and retaining! – exceptional talent to build our team, her contributions have been nothing short of transformational.”
He adds that she has not only created the structure, but also built the confidence of the Department’s faculty that their original ideas could be brought to fruition, with the support of Deborah and the world class team she has built.
Deborah’s colleagues describe her as a “…lifelong research professional, who is quietly excellent and serves as the backbone of the department’s research enterprise without a lot of fanfare.” They also specifically recognized Deborah for her expertise, dedication, and kindness.
A Long Tradition of Research Excellence
During her years at UNC, Deborah has held appointments spanning the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, and the Department of Urology.
Just a few examples of projects in which Deborah has played a key role for the Department of Urology include serving as Project Manager for a $1.5 million Department of Defense Testis Cancer Research Grant and a $950K Department of Defense Kidney Cancer Research Program project, as well as earning a coveted “Press Program” spot in an American Urological Association’s annual meeting for a project focused on, “Impact of Smoking on Longitudinal Health-Related Quality of Life Measures Among Bladder Cancer Survivors.”
She also served as Project Manager for the long-running NC ProCESS study, which has resulted in more than 26 peer-reviewed publications and more than 25 presentations (posters, podium sessions, oral presentations, etc.), at scientific conferences. UNC Urology Department Chair, Dr. Matthew Nielsen, is the UNC Site Principal Investigator for this project.
Across these roles, Deborah has built a reputation for deep institutional knowledge, a nuanced understanding of research design, and exceptional skill in grant and project management.
She is often the first person faculty turn to when developing new research ideas, and is valued for her expertise, dependability, efficiency, and collaborative spirit. Her teammates describe her as a thoughtful professional who balances scientific rigor with warmth, thereby fostering both high-quality research and a supportive environment for those around her.
Helping Further Build a Foundation For Research Excellence in Years to Come
Within the Department of Urology, Deborah Usinger has been instrumental in supporting complex, outcomes-focused research that improves care for patients with urologic conditions. Just as importantly, she has helped cultivate a culture focused on teamwork, mentorship, and excellence that will continue to benefit the department in the future.
The Department of Urology extends its heartfelt congratulations to Deborah on this well-deserved honor and thanks her for the countless ways she supports and strengthens research at Carolina.