Duke Management Academy Scholars

Crystal Cannon

Title: Asst Director/Manager, Clinical Trials Operations
Department: Government Trials & Networks (Duke Clinical Research Institute)
Entity:
Class Year: 2024

Bio:
Crystal Cannon is an Assistant Director within the Government Trials and Networks (GTN) Functional Group at the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI). She joined the DCRI in 2017 and provides oversight for the Community Engagement Core for the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics in Underserved Populations (RADx-UP) Coordination and Data Collection Center. RADx-UP, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was created to ensure that all Americans have access to COVID-19 testing with a focus on underserved communities most affected by the pandemic. Crystal interacts with internal and external stakeholders, serving as the point person for community engagement activities. She provides operational oversight for 11 Project Leaders as well as a variety of cross functional team members.

As a leader within the DCRI, Crystal is actively engaged in several initiatives. She leads a Health Equity Research workgroup for the DCRI's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion office. She led efforts to implement the GTN Mentorship Program, which provides a mentor/mentee experience for GTN employees to promote career development and prepare future DCRI leaders. She was also instrumental in the development of a diverse and inclusive summer internship program with the Duke BRIDGE Office and North Carolina Central University. She is an active and founding member of the GTN Anti-Racism Working Group, which exists to create a culture of inclusivity and diversity across the department where racist behaviors are not tolerated and every individual feels supported. Her efforts were acknowledged with receipt of the Michelle P. Winn Inclusive Excellence Award this past year.