The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery has announced Anna Munger as the new clinical research administrative director in the department's Office of Research, effective October 1, 2024.

Munger succeeds Donna Dixon, who after many years of dedicated service will be joining Infirmary Health in Mobile, Alabama, as the director of clinical trials and research.

Munger has been with UAB since July 2007 and has held a variety of roles across the university. She started as an office services specialist III in the Office of International Student and Scholar Services and served as the program manager and registrar in the School of Nursing before taking on her most recent role as the program director for the Office of Research in the Department of Neurosurgery.

Regarding her new position, Munger expressed both excitement and a forward-looking perspective. "I am very excited to start in my new role. It will be a new chapter, and I look forward to everything this role has in store for me, both the challenges and the rewards," said Munger.

Munger outlined her priorities as she steps into her new role, emphasizing support and adaptation. "My main priority is to make sure our faculty get the support they need from our office," Munger explained. "This will include some education and re-education; some processes will need to be rethought; some will need to be enhanced. I am very fortunate that I am taking over for someone like Donna. She did all the hard work; I just need to adjust it as the needs of our faculty change and expand."

Dixon, who has more than 25 years of experience in research administration, retires from UAB with a legacy of growth and enhanced research capabilities within the Department of Neurosurgery. "Our team. We have a really good research team of people that are knowledgeable, dedicated problem-solvers," said Dixon when reflecting on her favorite part of leading the Office of Research. "We all want our research faculty to be successful by reaching their goals and the departmental expectations, and we appreciate being a small part of our patients having more treatment options and better lives."

Dixon expressed confidence in Munger's abilities to lead the department’s research team forward. "I have witnessed Anna’s growth in research administration over the last two-and-a-half years and am confident that she will provide excellent service and support to all our clients and the Office of Research team," she stated. Dixon anticipates that the research-intensive faculty and support staff will continue to grow under Munger's leadership

Looking to the future, Munger shared her vision inspired by the lessons she learned from Dixon. "I learned from Donna that research is like riding a mountain bike. The road will not always be smooth. Some trails will be easy; some will seem almost impossible. Sometimes the wheels will get stuck in mud and sometimes you’ll be riding up the hill wondering why you didn’t go around," Munger detailed. "However, by taking the time, by planning ahead and following the map, the ride in the end will be worth it."

As Munger steps into her new leadership role, she plans to apply a thoughtful and analytical approach to any challenges or opportunities that arise. "I think the best way to approach anything new that comes your way is to understand it. As long as you take the time to understand the task at hand, take a moment to reflect on it, the decision on how to proceed usually becomes apparent on its own," she concluded.

Munger's promotion to clinical research administrative director is a testament to her years of dedication to her roles across UAB.