Team
Our Values
The MaTRIC team makes every step of the research journey productive, collaborative and focused on making a real difference. Our project managers offer a range of skills and experience and are matched based on the needs of the researcher and their study.
We are guided by our core values and bring these into our work:
- We are driven by purpose; we are fueled by our mission and deliver a high standard of excellence.
- We lead with respect and empathy; we cultivate a positive workplace where every individual is valued and empowered to thrive.
- We are curious; we nurture a growth mindset and adapt to new circumstances with ease and resilience.
- We communicate in ways that are transparent, supportive, ongoing and multidirectional.
- We bring joy to our work; we believe fun and innovation are foundations for long-term success.
Meet the MaTRIC Team
Ana Jafarinia, MPH (Project Manager) is a “joy to have in the classroom” and “takes pride in her work,” according to her first grade teacher. Even outside the classroom, she strives to bring the highest standard of project management to her work. She works on multiple tobacco-related grants and enjoys the opportunity to work at the intersection of policy, commercial interests, and health. She loves being a part of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, because of the breadth of knowledge amongst her colleagues. Ana also enjoys doing research and has skills in data analysis. If you need someone to help whip up a manuscript, she’s your gal. Outside of work, Ana hosts trivia at a brewery near campus!
Barbara Alvarez Martin, DrPH, MPH (Executive Director) is a public health trailblazer with a knack for turning big challenges into bold solutions. With 30 years of experience as a public health leader, researcher, and master implementer, Barb has made it her mission to bridge the gap between science and practice. Her superpower? Uniting diverse partners to tackle complex health challenges and spark meaningful change. Since joining the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2010, Barb’s magic has shined in her ability to build bridges across disciplines, break down silos, and help groups tackle public health challenges through strategic planning, coalition building, and research best practices. Her work isn’t just impactful—it’s transformative. In 2022, Barbara launched MaTRIC, a game-changing initiative that’s boosting research productivity at UNC Lineberger. Armed with a master’s in health behavior and a doctorate in health leadership from the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Barb is proof that knowledge plus passion equals unstoppable progress.
Becca Bosch, MPH (Project Manager) is a spirited research project manager who brings energy, organization, and a can-do attitude to every project she tackles. During her time as a graduate student at UNC, she contributed to impactful research efforts at UNC Lineberger—and loved it so much, she came back for more. Now, as a MaTRIC Project Manager at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Becca helps drive research efforts that emphasize collaboration, equity, and improving cancer-related health outcomes. With experience in project planning, community engagement, and program evaluation, she loves turning ambitious ideas into real-world results. Whether she’s juggling timelines or rallying teams, Becca is all about making a meaningful difference in the world of public health.
Caroline Ritchie, MPH (Project Manager) is a public health powerhouse with a flair for research project management. At UNC, she’s a go-to for her coordination of major grants, including two R01 grants and a Tobacco Center for Regulatory Science grant. She has spearheaded the launch of national surveys, a large-scale clinical trial, the most extensive content analysis of vaping prevention ads to date, and community-based workshops. Her project management expertise includes coordinating grant proposals, IRB submissions, budget management, and overseeing hiring at multiple levels. Caroline’s knack for coordinating teams keeps everything running smoothly. Whether it’s crunching data or organizing community events, Caroline’s passion for public health shines through in every project she tackles!
Cason Whitcomb, MPH (Project Manager) is a dynamic research project management expert with over six years of experience bringing order to the chaos of public health initiatives. As a MaTRIC research project manager at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cason skillfully balances providing project management support to multiple projects at the Center, while also coordinating the scale-up of the MaTRIC initiative. Her technical toolkit is packed with skills in qualitative research, community-based participatory research, evaluation, and implementation. Cason’s knack for applying human-centered design frameworks and developing accessible, creative health communications has made her a go-to for innovative social health projects. When it comes to comprehensive research project management, Cason is the one you want in your corner!
Dina Alabsew, MS (Project Manager) is your friendly neighborhood research manager. Armed with a master’s in biomedical science, a CHES certification, and an uncanny ability to make data behave, she’s currently sharing her talents as a MaTRIC Project Manager at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her mission? To tackle healthcare challenges—big, small, and global—and turn them into actionable solutions. Whether it’s analyzing data, assisting early-career investigators, or evaluating programs, she brings organization, creativity, and just the right amount of caffeine-fueled brilliance to the table. Known for her “get it done” attitude, she prefers to stay in the background, quietly making magic happen. When she’s not conquering timelines and tedious tasks, she’s probably dropping wisdom on qualitative research, geeking out over public health strategies, or laughing at her own bad puns (they’re mostly good, though—promise).