HSRC welcomes new staff members

HSRC is thrilled to announce the following additions to our research and project management teams.

Kristin Blank

Pedestrian and Bicyclist Projects Communications Manager

Kristin Blank joined HSRC in 2017 as the communications manager for the center’s pedestrian and bicyclist projects including the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, Watch for Me NC and Walk Friendly Communities. To advance pedestrian and cycling research efforts and initiatives, she focuses on strategic communications and outreach to translate ideas into practice. Before joining HSRC, Kristin was the research and outreach manager of Sustainability at UNC, where she focused on engaging the campus community and reporting sustainability metrics by developing comprehensive reports, plans and outreach materials. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Massachusetts Boston and her master’s degree from the Sustainability and Environmental Management Program at Harvard University Extension School.

Nancy Lefler

Senior Research Associate and Program Manager

Nancy Lefler joined HSRC in June 2017 as a senior research associate and program manager. She works with other senior HSRC leaders to sustain, grow and manage existing research programs including the Collaborative Sciences Center for Road Safety. Nancy’s experience includes serving as the principal investigator on research projects for the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Federal Highway Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and as the program manager/deputy program manager for several other federal contracts. In addition, she has 12 years of experience with crash, roadway inventory and other road safety-related data. Nancy earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics, Consulting/Financial Markets from Lehigh University, a master’s degree in Land Use/Transportation/City and Regional Planning from UNC Chapel Hill, and has completed post-baccalaureate studies in Civil Engineering at North Carolina State University.

Jennifer Palcher-Silliman

Communications Manager

Jennifer Palcher-Silliman joined HSRC in 2017 as a communications manager. She provides communications support and council for many HSRC programs including the Collaborative Sciences Center for Road Safety. Jennifer has 19 years of experience in various communications and leadership roles, specializing in strategic communications planning, social media planning and execution, team building, media relations and event marketing and planning. Jennifer earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Miami University of Ohio and her master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Kari Signor

Research Assistant

Kari Signor joined HSRC in 2017 to support a variety of engineering-related research efforts as a research assistant. She has contributed her data collection and analysis skills to a variety of projects including the CMF Clearinghouse, HSIP Annual Reports, the SHRP2 Naturalistic Driving Study and many roadway infrastructure safety improvement projects. Kari earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree from Utah State University, both in Wildlife Biology.  Prior to joining HSRC, Kari served as a student program leader for Round River Conservation Studies’ first program in Patagonia, Chile, and assisted the New England Aquarium with right whale surveys in the North Atlantic.  She has worked across the U.S. and abroad on numerous field conservation research projects and science education programs.

Executive Editor: Caroline Mozingo
Managing Editor: Jennifer
                                Palcher-Silliman
Graphic Designer: Graham Russell