The Office of Human Subjects Protections (OHSP) is pleased to announce that Jill Ritter, member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory of Memory and Language (NeuroLab), has been selected as the recipient of the Fall 2024 HIVE Award!
Jill has worked at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) since 2016. She began as a Grants & Contracts Specialist in the Office of Sponsored Projects where she was able to learn about the research community and culture at UTD. During this time, she had the opportunity to join the NeuroLab, led by Dr. John Hart, as the Administrative Project Coordinator. Research in the NeuroLab focuses on how the brain stores and accesses semantic information (capacity to recall words, concepts, or numbers) using cognitive and neuroimaging methods. The NeuroLab also conducts research utilizing direct current stimulation and magnetic stimulation to investigate cognitive and emotional concerns in patient groups, such as those with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and multiple sclerosis.
When asked about her favorite part of being a research administrator, Jill indicated that she enjoys being involved in the research process from beginning to end, including preparation, management, and closeout for projects. She also enjoys the variety that her current position brings as she is continually learning something new. Her day-to-day activities include maintaining study records and ensuring compliance for approximately 20 research protocols, coordinating participant compensation, and grant management within the NeuroLab. While Jill is not actively involved in data collection at this time, she does provide assistance with participant debriefing and hopes to become more involved with the recruitment process in the future.
Jill exemplifies the core values of the HIVE Award by regularly attending training sessions to stay current on OHSP requirements, maintaining organized records and ensuring timely submissions for compliance, and proactively contacting the OHSP to obtain guidance and discuss potential concerns. It’s evident that Jill is aware of the importance of ensuring the protection of participants in human subjects research: “I always knew human research was important, but learning the history of the Institutional Review Board and understanding the ethical principles behind human research makes me more confident about medical breakthroughs and proud to be a part of the research community.” This drives her desire to ensure others in the NeuroLab are aware of the principles of compliance and importance of maintaining scientific integrity.
While her current career path was somewhat unexpected, Jill enjoys her work in the NeuroLab and being a member of Dr. Hart’s team. “Every day is different, and our research is integral to understanding how the brain stores and retrieves information.”
The Office of Human Subjects Protections proudly welcomes Jill Ritter as a valued member of the HIVE!