Directory

As Associate Dean for Clinical Research for Duke University School of Medicine, Ms. Snyder is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing processes, systems, educational programs, and other activities central to supporting clinical research at Duke and leading the Duke Office for Clinical Research (DOCR).

Jessica Sperling, PhD, serves as the Director of Applied Research, Evaluation, & Engagement in Duke University’s Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) as well as the Office of Evaluation and Applied Research Partnership, a partnership between CTSI and SSRI. She is a mixed-methods evaluator and applied researcher dedicated to informing and improving initiatives through responsive and collaborative research, evaluation, and research/practice partnership.

A native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Sydney joined the CTSI in December 2019. She works with the Integrating Special Populations core under the direction of K.K. Lam, PhD.

Prior to joining CTSI, Sydney worked as a consultant for Bohn Epidemiology where she collaborated with stakeholders to help produce manuscripts for several global pharmaceutical and biotechnical companies that required both strategic and project-focused work. Additionally, she helped enforce protocol and study report designs while assessing project work of other consultants.

Michelle Sunico joined CTSI in November 2024 as a clinical research coordinator, supporting studies within Duke’s primary care network. Ms. Sunico holds a BS in medical physiology from King’s College London. Before joining Duke, she worked in orthopedic surgery as a medical telescribe at the University of California, San Francisco and volunteered in the post-anesthesia care unit at East Carolina University Health.

In addition to her CTSI role as Co-Director of the Clinical Research Networks Pillar, Ms. Sutton is Assistant Dean, Clinical Research Initiatives and Alliances, in the Duke School of Medicine (SOM). She works closely with the Vice Dean of Clinical Research and other executive leaders to implement institutional initiatives in clinical research across the School of Medicine and in partnership with other Duke University entities.

Laura P. Svetkey, MD MHS, is Professor of Medicine/Nephrology, Vice Chair for Faculty Development and Diversity in the Department of Medicine, and School of Medicine Faculty Ombudsperson. She is also the Director of Duke’s CTSA-sponsored internal career development award program (KL2) and the Investigator Development Core of Duke’s REACH Equity Disparities Research Center.

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine

Dr. Swaminathan serves as the faculty director of the Clinical Data Research Networks (CDRN) program at Duke. In this role she helps the Duke research community leverage the CDRN program assets, that range from tools to assist with recruitment of study participants through longitudinal data collection using the PCORnet common data model. Her goal is to increase efficiency in community engaged research at Duke.

As Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Thomas leads the School of Medicine’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and serves as a key advisor and partner to the Dean to advance the School’s goal of cultivating an inclusive, welcoming, respectful and supportive working and learning environment. Dr.

Annie Tsui joined the Duke Center for Equity in Research in February 2023 as a project planner. In her current role, Annie will develop and coordinate medium to large projects, programs, and research projects related to anti-racism, anti-bias, and equity. Annie brings 20+ years of experience in clinical research and data management. She came to Duke in 2011 and worked as a lead clinical research coordinator, IT analyst, and research program leader at Dermatology, DCI, and Surgery.