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Overview

Research Cores/Service Centers (RSC), commonly referred to as recharge units and/or research core facilities, are operational units that provide goods, specific technical, or administrative services to UNC-Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) users or external entities.

The Research Core Development (RCD) Team will offer a resource and team to provide campus additional support for RSC management. The RCD team, in a partnership between the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research (OVCR) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), will collaborate with OSP’s Cost Analysis and Compliance unit and RSC leadership to develop and implement new capabilities and business processes designed to streamline core management, rate development, business workflows, and general core facility administration.

Meet the Team

Ben Wright – Director of Research Core Development
Ben has six years of experience at OSP as the point of contact for internal and external audits of sponsored projects and manager of the pre-audit, subrecipient monitoring, and post-audit functions. Ben has led UNC through multiple Statewide Single Audits, and numerous other audits of sponsored projects, and has been involved in business process, policy, and internal control improvements.

Meghan Kraft – Interim Director of Research Core Strategy
Meghan has eight years of experience at UNC working with clinical and research operations across campus. Most recently, she spent three years with the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC) supporting both financially and operationally their core portfolio. She also worked closely with the School of Medicine (SOM) on broader initiatives and will continue to support LCCC and SOM.

Michael Akridge – Financial Analyst
Michael has worked at UNC since 2002, holding positions as a UNC Police Officer and as a Systems and Contract Specialist at Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Accounts Payable, Purchasing, and Asset Management. He has experience reconciling and auditing purchasing and asset records involving complex and intricate funding sources, and has utilized his knowledge, attention to detail, and experience in policy and process development to be a leader training numerous departments across UNC.

Contact Us

NameTitleEmailPhone
Ben WrightDirector, Research Core Developmentbwright1@email.unc.edu(919) 962-6449
Michael AkridgeFinancial Analystakridge@unc.edu(919) 962-6487

Research Core Development Main Inbox: RCD@unc.edu

iLab Support: coresupport@med.unc.edu

Current Initiatives
  • Engagement with core facilities and stakeholders across UNC
  • Financial Reporting Tools
  • iLabs Administration and Support
  • Rate Review Support and Process Improvement
  • Equipment/Service Contract Survey and Analysis
  • Business process improvement
  • Training and Events
Key Services
  • Partner with schools, departments, schools, and core facilities to develop a campus-wide core strategy
  • Consult on core management and business process improvement
  • Increase accessibility and understanding of financial information
  • Assist with more frequent rate reviews
  • Provide options for treatment of rapidly changing business environment
  • Survey equipment and resources to establish central asset database
  • Assist with outreach, training, events, and marketing

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