New faces in the CFRI

Courtney Bricker-Anthony, PhD, joins the CFRI as scientific editor. During her graduate education at Vanderbilt University, she had experience in scientific editing and writing in neuroscience, ophthalmology and biomedical research. Prior to joining the CFRI, she was an academic editor, editing scientific manuscripts, abstracts, presentations and grants in the areas of basic research and clinical medicine.

Cem Akkus, PhD, MS, MPH, joins the CFRI as biomedical informatics research specialist. He has more than 10 years of experience in geographical information systems (GIS). Recent work includes spatial analyses for childhood lead poisoning in Shelby County and GIS-based website development for Memphis FitKids, which focuses on reducing childhood obesity. In 2018, he served as a think tank member at the American Journal of Public Health to improve the journal’s social media outreach.

Victoria Vance, BSN, RN, joins the CFRI as clinical research nurse coordinator. Previously, she was a nurse on Le Bonheur’s pulmonology floor. During her undergraduate education, she worked in a toxicology lab and published work in scientific journals. She has a bachelor’s in psychology from Mississippi State University and a bachelor’s in nursing from Union University.

Manasa Mallampaty, MS, joins the CFRI as biomedical informatics research specialist. She has a master’s in computer science from the University of Central Missouri, is an SAS certified base programmer for SAS9 and an expert in software, data storage and translational science technologies. Prior to joining the CFRI, she was a data scientist at the University of Mississippi Medical Center responsible for complex data analysis, management and reporting support for several NHLBI-funded projects. 

Lauren Davis, BS, joins the CFRI as clinical research coordinator. She has a bachelor’s in biology from Southeastern Louisiana University. As a research associate at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, she managed a biorepository for patients with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary disease and developed a support group for patients and families.