Leigh McGill
Raleigh,NC
Summary
Public health professional with extensive experience in managing complex research studies for federal agencies and academic institutions. Proven skills in study design, project coordination, and client communication, including oversight of IRB and OMB approvals, budget management, and quality assurance. Expert in leveraging advanced platforms such as Qualtrics, Canva, and Meta Business Suite to elevate research and communication strategies. Possesses a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina, and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health from the University of South Carolina, contributing research on ACEs and PTSD, showcased at national conferences.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Public Health Analyst, Center for Communications and Media Impact
RTI International
10.2021 - 06.2025
- Oversaw multi-faceted studies for federal agency clients, ensuring adherence to project timelines and objectives.
- Managed client and internal communications to promote transparency and consistent updates.
- Coordinated preparation and submission of Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) packages for approval.
- Contributed to budget creation and timeline development with Project Directors, ensuring compliance with quality standards.
- Monitored deliverable progress across projects while maintaining documentation aligned with contractual requirements.
- Created Monthly Project Reports summarizing activities, labor costs, and Other Direct Costs (ODCs).
- Developed survey instruments in Qualtrics, implementing skip logic and JavaScript codes for data collection efficiency.
- Established engagement tracking pixels and quota monitoring protocols to ensure readiness for data collection.
Graduate Research Assistant
UNC Injury Prevention Research Center
09.2020 - 05.2021
- Developed comprehensive project materials for Collaborative Learning Institute, including welcome packets and session presentations.
- Created engaging LinkedIn posts to promote CLI opportunities, tools, and resources.
- Facilitated CLI sessions via Zoom, ensuring effective participant engagement and seamless execution.
- Adapted Adverse Childhood Experiences and suicide prevention strategies to meet community needs during COVID-19.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team on research initiatives funded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Applied advanced organizational and communication skills to enhance outreach efforts for remote communities.
Research Assistant
Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
01.2018 - 06.2019
- AURORA Study - AURORA, funded in part by the NIH, is a 30-million-dollar national research initiative to improve the understanding of the onset and progression of post-traumatic conditions such as PTSD, improving the ability to predict and provide treatment to those affected. By partnering with leading tech companies such as Mindstrong Health and Verily Life Sciences, this study is one of the first to use mobile technology (wrist wearables and smart phones) to gather physiologic data from 5,000 trauma patients nationwide.
- Acted as the primary contact for collaboration and communication during participants' in-person sessions at three nationwide Deep Phenotyping sites.
- Oversaw the procurement of equipment necessary for conducting complex pain and physiological testing across Deep Phenotyping sites.
- Managed scheduling documents, and conducted participant screening calls to ensure the smooth operation of in-person sessions.
- Revised Standard Operating Procedures for in-person sessions, based on staff and participant feedback, propose process improvements to enhance efficiency in scheduling and session execution.
- Prepared data visualizations and progress reports for weekly Mini Break-Out Sessions with the University of North Carolina staff, providing updates on Deep Phenotyping activities.
- Trained follow-up team members on Verily Life Sciences' wearable devices, addressing functionality issues, troubleshooting steps, and serving as the main liaison with Verily.
- Coordinated replacement and return logistics for malfunctioning study devices between participants and Verily Life Sciences.
- Compiled data and delivered monthly updates to Verily during conference calls focused on process enhancements and device functionality improvements.
- Designed presentations detailing progress in deep phenotyping processes and device management for the Annual AURORA Conference to inform project investigators.
- Authored an abstract and delivered a poster presentation on AURORA Deep Phenotyping methods at the 2019 Society of Biological Psychiatry Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
Education
Master of Public Health - Health Behavior
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC05.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Public Health, Minor in Psychology
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC12.2016
Skills
- Survey design and data collection
- IRB and OMB submissions
- Participant recruitment strategies
- Mixed methods research
- Qualtrics and NVivo expertise
- Dedoose proficiency
- Presentation design using Canva
- Project tracking with Smartsheet
- Cognos analytics proficiency
- Statistical analysis with Stata
- SharePoint collaboration tools
- Microsoft Office suite expertise
- Allscripts EHR familiarity
- Scientific search engine navigation
- Database research skills
- Health messaging strategies
- Report writing proficiency
- Stakeholder engagement techniques
- Project management methodologies
- Cross-team coordination strategies
- Strategic planning capabilities
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills mastery
- Cross-cultural communication expertise
- Employee training techniques
- Continuous improvement practices
Certification
- Heartsaver for K-12 Schools, American Heart Association, 01/01/24
- Youth Mental Health First Aid USA, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 06/01/23
Publications
Vu, TH., Bishop, J., McGill, L., Valmadrid, L., Golden, S., & Emmerling, D., et al. (2022). Using systems-mapping to address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma: A qualitative study of stakeholder experiences. PLoS ONE 17(8):e0273361., https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0273361
Languages
Spanish
Limited
References
References available upon request.
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
On-SiteRemoteHybridImportant To Me
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