The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) is pleased to welcome the newest participants in the RISE Leadership Development Program, an initiative designed to equip clinical research professionals with essential leadership skills. This year’s 11-week program began in September and provides immersive, experiential training focused on developing scientific and organizational leaders in clinical and translational research.

Advancing Research Leadership Through Practice

Recognizing the increasingly team-oriented nature of clinical investigation, RISE—which stands for Relate, Inspire, Strategize, Elevate—was created by the CCTS Training Academy to provide clinical research staff professionals with the tools and training needed to step confidently into leadership roles.

Held in-person weekly through November 17, RISE includes structured sessions on core leadership competencies, including:

• Project Leadership & Teamwork – Delegation, accountability, and navigating challenges with diplomacy
• Interpersonal Effectiveness – Emotional intelligence, communication strategies, and identifying personal biases
• Trust Building – Critical conversations, inclusive intelligence, and conflict management
• Building a Community of Practice – Managing up, effective networking, and applying leadership in clinical and translational science settings

Meet the Current RISE Cohort

Congratulations to the participants selected for the 2025 RISE Leadership Cohort, a group of clinical research professionals committed to advancing their leadership skills and broadening their impact across the research enterprise.

• Donna Armstrong, Research Nurse Coordinator II, OB/GYN
• Kelly Brown, Clinical Research Coordinator III, SON FCHS/ORS
• Shayna Bryan, Clinical Research Administrator, DOM Infectious Disease - Mycoses Study Group
• Jennifer Bryant, Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator III, OB/GYN Maternal Fetal Medicine Research
• Alyssa Carodine, Clinical Research Coordinator III, DOM Infectious Disease
• Candace Cromer, Clinical Research Coordinator III, Neurology
• Kayleigh Curry, Clinical Research Coordinator III, SON Acute, Chronic and Continuing Care
• Tammy Davis, Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator III, SOM Neurology
• Hiren Dayala, Research Senior, Transplantation-Surgery
• Sebastian Eady, Clinical Research Coordinator III, Radiology/Nuclear Medicine
• Courtney Lockley, Clinical Research Regulatory Coordinator II, CReST
• Jennifer Mahaffey, Manager, Clinical Research Regulations, Neurology
• Chanel Mason, Clinical Research Coordinator II, CCTS/CReST
• Keenya Mathews, Clinical Research Coordinator II, CCTS
• Emily McKinley, Clinical Research Regulatory Coordinator III, Neurology
• Pooja Nagaraj, Clinical Research Coordinator III, Pediatric Nephrology
• Mariel Parman, Clinical Research Coordinator III, DOM Infectious Disease
• Nivedita Patkar, Clinical Research Analyst, Clinical Trials Administration Office
• Kristine Pike, Clinical Research Coordinator III, Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology
• Rosylen Quinney, Clinical Research Coordinator II, OB/GYN Maternal Fetal Medicine
• Rachel Rich, Clinical Research Coordinator III, SOM Pulmonary/Allergy/Critical Care
• Toni Seay, Quality Assurance Manager, Department of Medicine
• Drashti Shah, Clinical Data Specialist, DOM Infectious Disease - Mycology
• Alisha Smith, Clinical Research Coordinator III, CReST
• Pamela Turner, Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator II, Pediatric Endocrinology-Diabetes
• Charmaine Ward, Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Core Manager, Neurology - Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Building a Stronger Research Workforce

The RISE program continues to grow as a unique opportunity for career development, team building, and professional networking across the CCTS Partner Network. As the demand for collaborative leadership in research grows, the CCTS remains committed to preparing professionals at all stages of their careers to lead with confidence and impact. Looking ahead, the next RISE cohort will be held in Spring 2026, with applications opening early next year. Those interested in applying are encouraged to contact Dunia Ritchey at dfritchey@uabmc.edu with questions prior to the next application cycle.

Learn more about the RISE leadership program, connect with the CCTS on LinkedIn, and subscribe to the CCTS Digest for updates on upcoming opportunities in translational workforce development.