April Carr
Research Coordinator
April graduated from Central State University, Wilberforce, OH in 1997 with a BS in psychology emphasizing in research training. From 1999 to 2001, she gained clinical experience working with the severely mentally disabled population conducting psychological evaluations and coordinating clinical care. Since 2001, April has worked as a research coordinator specializing in psychiatric disorders in adults and adolescents. She joined Children’s Hospital’s Imaging Research Center in July 2002 and is currently assisting in the coordination of the MRI Study of Normal Brain Development sponsored by the National Institute of Health.
Scott Dunn
Advanced Imaging Technologist
Over educated and barely credentialed, the self-proclaimed oldest living, practicing MR technologist has spent the past 22 years scanning the gambit of the food chain. His experience ranges from adjusting pots and shimming manually, international meeting presentations on Dynamic Contrast Susceptibility Enhanced Imaging and localized Proton Spectroscopy of children’s brains to currently exploring the wows and woes of a Bruker 7T research system. He enjoys not running or jumping, but, helmet-less pedaling about his neighborhood with his lovely wife on a lady’s bike, complete with basket, mirrors, tassels and a bell.
Chris Hearn
Systems Analyst
Chris graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a BSBA in Management Information Systems, while also holding an AA in Electrical Engineering from Hinds Community College. After obtaining valuable experience as a Systems Analyst at USM for 2 years, he was hired by the Imaging Research Center at Cincinnati Children's to take over as their primary IT Administrator. There, he provides hardware, software, and network support for a very diverse IT operating environment consisting of Windows, Mac OS, and Linux workstations and servers.
Holli Kunkel
Business Manager - PNRC
Donna Lyons
Business Manager - IRC
Susan Moore
Administrative Assistant - PNRC
Susan has a BA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati- College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning and an AS in Optometric Technology from Indiana University. She became Administrative Assistant to the PNRC in 2005, after starting at Cincinnati Children’s as a clerk in the Radiology Department in 2002. Susan is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the PNRC, as well as assisting with grant submissions. In her spare time, Susan likes to tackle many different artistic and crafty ventures and work on her cute-as-a-button house in Northside.
Kendall J O'Brien, R.T.
Lead Imaging Research Technologist
Kendall earned his Associates Degree in Radiological Sciences at Northeastern University, and completed his clinical Radiography training at the Boston Medical Center where, upon graduation, he became employed. Shortly thereafter he began pursuing his Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics at Boston University, and recently completed it at the University of Cincinnati after moving to the area in 1997. He joined CCHMC's Radiology department in that same year, and he advanced into the Research Division in 2000. Kendall currently serves as the Lead Imaging Research Technologist in the IRC, providing technical expertise and scanning support for both internal and external investigators. He also plays vital roles in database programming and maintenance, data analysis and preparation for scientific articles, and administrative organization within Radiology's research division. His research interests include the development of innovative methods for the measurement and analysis of adipose tissue, as well as novel organizational models for maximizing the efficiency of research processes.
Deborah Ohl
Administrative Assistant - IRC
Deborah joined the IRC in April of 2007, as an Administrative Assistant. She brings with her years of experience as an Administrator of office management and billing. Her position supports the IRC Faculty and Staff as well as assisting the Business Manager and PI's with grant submissions.
Dorothy "Dottie" Pater
Administrative Assistant - IRC
Dottie joined the Imaging Research Center as an Administrative Assistant in May of 2004. Her previous work experience includes 20 years as the Secretary to the Police Chief and the Supervisor of the Central Records Section. She assists the IRC Director, Faculty, Business Manager and Staff. Dottie’s main focus is on family. She and her husband have three children and five grandchildren…soon to be six in December.
Dr. Ron G. Pratt, PhD
Research Engineer
Dr. Pratt is a chemist by training holding a Ph.D. degree from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Pratt’s thesis primarily focused on applications of solid state NMR techniques to polymers. Soon after receiving his degree, Dr, Pratt realized his true interest was in instrumentation. Dr. Pratt had the good fortune to join the Imaging Research Center in 1999. His responsibilities include keeping the IRC’s research scanners operational.
Kristen Smith
Research Assistant
Kristen earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati in 2007. Currently, she coordinates two of Dr. Holland's fMRI studies: Normal Language Development and Infant Cochlear Implant Candidates. She is interested in neuropsychological research and plans to pursue her Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology. Her previous experience includes: working with adults with severe mental illness and epilepsy research.
Lisa Tully
Research Assistant
Lisa joined the Imaging Research Center in August of 2005. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Ball State University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northern Kentucky University. As a clinical research coordinator, Lisa assists IRC faculty and physicians in audiology, cardiology, and rheumatology with their studies.