Linda Pluta, manager of the UNC Lineberger Vironomics Core facility, was presented with the Dean’s Performance Award, which honors employees whose work helps the UNC School of Medicine achieve its vision of becoming the nation’s leading public school of medicine. She and the other seven award winners were recognized at the 2024 School of Medicine Annual Staff Summit on Sept. 10 at the Friday Center.
Pluta was nominated for her dedication to training students and staff, her management of critical experiments and support of vital research across campus, as well as her ability to solve complex problems. These qualities stood out strongly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she implemented genome sequencing at the Vironomics Core, initially for campus and later for the entire state of North Carolina.
“The Vironomics Core would not exist without her,” said Dirk Dittmer, PhD, professor of Microbiology and Immunology and co-leader of UNC Lineberger’s Virology Research Program. “Every day, she and her team support investigators from across campus, the state of North Carolina, and around the world as part of UNC Lineberger’s program in global oncology. This includes tumor samples for neo-antigen discovery on the PacBio system and B-cell receptors for the School of Medicine’s nascent antibody discovery efforts.”
Two UNC Lineberger teams were also nominated for the award:
Pre-Award Team
- Elizabeth Alioto
- Felicia Helmlinger
- Cindy Hoffmeier
- Sarah Howard
- Deborah Lee
- Tamea Love
- Robert Mason
- Bonnie Parks-Huff
- William Randolph
- Melody Snow
- Susan Wolf
The team was nominated for its work to ensure each research grant submission has the best chance for funding success. They offer timely advice on compliance, updated requirements, and project timelines. Moreover, they serve as liaisons, connecting faculty with essential resources across campus and providing unparalleled support.
In Fiscal Year 2023, the team submitted 282 grants and contracts, along with more than 100 federal progress reports and numerous non-federal reports and transactions. Their expertise extends across various funding sources.
UNC Lineberger Cancer Network’s Technology Support Team
- Veneranda Obure
- Edward (Oliver) Marth
- Patrick Muscarella
The team was acknowledged for its efforts in supporting the education of clinicians, clinicians in training, and the general public across North Carolina. They were recognized for their commitment to enhancing the quality and scalability of UNC Lineberger Cancer Network’s services for clinicians, ensuring the latest research and best practices are accessible.
They also support multidisciplinary tumor boards, the UNCLCN Learning Portal, which hosts oncology educational lecture videos, and a wide range of educational conferences, events, and webinars.