When new research faculty join UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, they often find themselves asking the same questions: How do I navigate UNC’s research environment? What is the process to hire staff? Who can help with my grant money? When do I approach the IRB?
While UNC researchers are formally educated on how to conduct research, they aren’t exactly trained on how to effectively manage a research study from start to finish.
Barbara Alvarez Martin, DrPH, MPH, assistant director for Community Outreach and Engagement and Population Sciences and a UNC Lineberger employee since 2010, saw the same research management woes year after year among population science researchers, early-stage investigators and administration staff at large.
In 2022, she sought out to find a solution.
Through several listening sessions where faculty members discussed their biggest research management pain points, the idea for MaTRIC (Managing Teams, Research, and Integrated Coordination) was born.
An innovative initiative with the goal of boosting productivity
Launched in 2023, MaTRIC serves to boost research productivity at UNC Lineberger through two main offerings:
- Centralized project management services for members of UNC Lineberger’s Cancer Epidemiology or Cancer Prevention and Control research programs, with a particular focus on early-stage investigators.
- A resources hub for all UNC Lineberger faculty and staff, providing helpful information on effective research management and available resources at UNC.
MaTRIC project managers are matched to studies based on researcher needs and provide management services across four board areas: research, project and administrative needs, people and finances.
“We realized we needed a universal solution to address the significant pain points that everyone was facing,” Martin said. “MaTRIC has proven to be a key differentiator in boosting productivity and efficiency at UNC Lineberger.”
What started as a pilot program with a single project manager has since grown to a team of five project managers to meet the volume of requests from research staff.
Rachel Hirschey, PhD, RN, FAAN, who used MaTRIC’s support in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 for her population science-focused research on improving cancer outcomes through community collaboration, attests to its value. “I wish MaTRIC had existed three years ago, when I joined Lineberger and started my study,” Hirschey said.
“It was life-changing for me to start using my MaTRIC project manager’s organizing systems!”
Open enrollment for MaTRIC support
Early-stage population science researchers interested in collaborating with MaTRIC for fiscal year 2026 are encouraged to apply.
Open enrollment for MaTRIC support for fiscal year 2026 studies is now open through March 17. Decisions will be announced in April.
Find more information and apply for MaTRIC support