The RAPS NC Local Networking Group is pleased to present a panel discussion bringing together industry leaders and academic faculty to examine the current landscape of clinical research and regulatory affairs education in North Carolina and beyond. Panelists will share perspectives on the academic curricula that best prepare students and early-career professionals for meaningful, sustainable careers in clinical research and regulatory affairs. The conversation will explore where current programs excel, where critical gaps remain, and what new curricular offerings the profession needs to develop in response to an evolving regulatory and research environment. Panelists will also address professional development and training priorities for faculty and clinical research staff who are committed to advancing program quality and workforce readiness. This event is designed for clinical research professionals, regulatory affairs practitioners, academic faculty, students, and anyone with an interest in shaping the educational infrastructure that supports these fields. Attendees can expect candid dialogue, actionable insights, and an opportunity to connect with educators and industry leaders who are actively invested in growing the profession.
The RAPS NC Local Networking Group is pleased to present a panel discussion bringing together industry leaders and academic faculty to examine the current landscape of clinical research and regulatory affairs education and workforce in North Carolina and beyond. Panelists representing the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), Black Women in Clinical Research (BWICR), Durham Technical Community College, North Carolina Central University Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE), Northeastern University College of Professional Studies, Duke University School of Medicine, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy will share perspectives on the academic curricula that best prepare students and early-career professionals for meaningful, sustainable careers in clinical research and regulatory affairs. The conversation will explore where current programs excel, where critical gaps remain, and what new curricular offerings the profession needs to develop in response to an evolving regulatory and research environment. Panelists will also address professional development and training priorities for faculty and clinical research staff who are committed to advancing program quality and workforce readiness. This event is designed for clinical research professionals, regulatory affairs practitioners, academic faculty, students, and anyone with an interest in shaping the educational infrastructure that supports these fields. Attendees can expect candid dialogue, actionable insights, and an opportunity to connect with educators and industry leaders who are actively invested in growing the profession.
North Carolina Central University
Alfonso Elder Student Union
511 Nelson St.
Durham, NC 27707
RAPS reserves the right to cancel this program at its sole discretion. RAPS will not be responsible for travel or other costs incurred due to cancellation. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to [email protected]. Cancellations will receive a full refund minus a 20% administrative fee.RAPS is unable to accept cancellations by phone.
Paid registration substitutions may be accepted with written approval from RAPS for requests received before the start of the event. To transfer a registration, email [email protected]with the event title, name of the original registrant and the contact information for the new attendee.
A certificate of attendance can be downloaded from the RAPS Learning Portal following the event.
Contact the RAPS Support Center:
Call +1 301 770 2920, ext. 200 (8:30 am–5:30 pm EST, Monday–Friday) or email [email protected].

Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance, Mycovia Pharmaceuticals



Associate Dean, Executive Director, Regulatory Affairs and Quality, Office of Regulatory Affairs and Quality (ORAQ) , Duke University School of Medicine

Research Assistant Professor, Program Lead, North Carolina Central University

Clinical Quality Assurance Specialist , BWICR Ambassador Ora Inc.

Senior Clinical Research Associate, BWICR Ambassador Leader, Syneos Health

Program Director and Associate Professor, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy

Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs BD, NC Local Networking Group

Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance, Mycovia Pharmaceuticals
Jocelyn Jennings, MSRA, RAC-US, RAC-Drugs, RAPS-Devices, FRAPS is Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance at Mycovia Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Ms. Jennings has over 25 years of extensive global regulatory affairs, quality assurance, pharmacovigilance, and global clinical trial experience in drugs, biologics, medical devices and combination products. Ms. Jennings began her career in analytical and hospital laboratories analyzing industrial samples, toxicology and clinical chemistry samples and performing specialty tests. She has had leadership roles at small and large biopharmaceutical and medical device companies in various therapeutic areas such as oncology, immunology, women’s health, and rare diseases. Ms. Jennings is an adjunct professor in Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies in the Masters of Regulatory Affairs Program. Ms. Jennings is a member of the Drug Information Association, Society of Quality Assurance, North Carolina Chapter Society of Quality Assurance, and Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPS). She is actively involved as a volunteer with RAPS as Lead Editor and Author of RAPS books. Ms. Jennings also serves on the RAPS Editorial Advisory Committee, is a Regulatory Affairs Certification Board Member, RAPS Global Board of Director and is a RAPS Fellow. Ms. Jennings obtained her MS in regulatory affairs from Northeastern University.
:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-jennings-ms-rac-us-rac-drugs-rac-devices-fraps-66736b4/

Program Director, Clinical Research Program
Dr. Sharleen Traynor is the Director of the Clinical Research program at Durham Technical Community College. In this role, she oversees the education and training of students pursuing careers in clinical research, ensuring they are provided with a curriculum that meets the professional standards of the research community. An epidemiologist by training, Dr. Traynor has over 20 years of public health and clinical research experience working in roles ranging from CRC, data analyst, and clinical project manager. She now focuses on workforce development efforts to advance the education of clinical research professionals. In addition to her responsibilities in higher education, Dr. Traynor serves on the Diversity Advisory Council for the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) where she supports initiatives that increase representation across the clinical research workforce. She is also a member of the Community Partnered Research Network (CPRN) Executive Leadership Committee and the Executive Operations Committee for the Duke Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute
Regulatory Associate, East Carolina University
Sue Ann is a Lead Study Start-Up and Regulatory Specialist in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, where she has built a 27-year career in clinical research. She holds a B.S. in Biology from East Carolina University and the ACRP-CCRC certification, which she has maintained since 2003. Sue Ann's clinical research expertise spans diabetes and endocrinology, pulmonary and critical care medicine, and hematology/oncology regulatory affairs. Over the course of her career, she has independently coordinated more than 60 clinical trials and currently manages a portfolio of approximately 100 studies covering solid tumor oncology and both benign and malignant hematology indications. In her regulatory role, she oversees IRB submissions, regulatory document preparation, and ongoing study compliance from activation through study close-out. A dedicated advocate for workforce development in clinical research, Sue Ann has mentored numerous Master of Public Health graduate assistants and study interns who have gone on to build careers in the field.
Associate Dean, Executive Director, Regulatory Affairs and Quality, Office of Regulatory Affairs and Quality (ORAQ) , Duke University School of Medicine
Amanda B. Parrish, PhD, RAC is Associate Dean and Executive Director of the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Quality (ORAQ) at the Duke University School of Medicine. She provides strategic leadership and oversight of FDA Regulatory Affairs and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Quality infrastructure supporting Duke’s research, education, and clinical missions. Dr. Parrish leads a team overseeing over 140 Duke‑sponsored regulatory applications and providing GMP expertise and oversight for multiple manufacturing products and facilities spanning Phase 1 development through licensed and commercial products. She and her team have regulatory and GMP expertise across a diversity of product types, and she served as regulatory lead for the U.S. approval of the Duke/Carolinas Cord Blood Bank BLA in 2012. Dr. Parrish earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Emory University and her PhD in Molecular Cancer Biology from Duke University, where her graduate research focused on regulation of apoptotic cell death. She holds U.S. Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society.
Research Assistant Professor, Program Lead, North Carolina Central University
Tracie Locklear is a Research Assistant Professor and the Director of the Clinical Research Sciences Program in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, BRITE Institute. She is a clinical and translational scientist with more than 15 years of experience in minority health and women’s health research ranging from the bench to the community.
Clinical Quality Assurance Specialist , BWICR Ambassador Ora Inc.
Rijhanique is a Clinical Quality Assurance Specialist with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and over 8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, along with 5 years in clinical research. Her career spans laboratory quality, clinical trial operations, and regulatory compliance, where she has supported FDA audits and contributed to pre-approval testing for critical therapies, including HIV and asthma medications. She began her clinical research career as a Clinical Trial Assistant and advanced into a co-monitoring role, ensuring protocol and regulatory compliance at the site level. In her current role, Rijhanique leads internal, vendor, and site audits, working to ensure that clinical trials meet regulatory standards while prioritizing patient safety and data integrity. She also plays a key role in CAPA investigations, continuous improvement initiatives, and SOP development. Rijhanique is passionate about bridging the gap between education and industry and is committed to helping students and early-career professionals navigate and succeed in the clinical research and regulatory field.
Senior Clinical Research Associate, BWICR Ambassador Leader, Syneos Health
Jazmin Barnes is a Sr. Clinical Research Associate, content creator, and advocate dedicated to advancing diversity and excellence in clinical research. With over five years of experience in clinical trial operations, she specializes in quality control, audit readiness, database locking, and ensuring compliance with ICH-GCP standards across multi-site studies. Her work plays a critical role in bringing safe and effective treatments to patients while upholding the highest standards of data integrity.
Jazmin began her career in behavioral health after earning her degree in Psychology from North Carolina A&T State University before transitioning into clinical research. She is passionate about increasing representation in clinical trials and actively contributes to this mission as the Brand Ambassador Leader for Black Women in Clinical Research®.
Beyond her professional work, Jazmin leverages her platform as a content creator to educate, inspire, and mentor aspiring clinical research professionals. She shares insights on breaking into the industry, career growth, and mental health—empowering others to navigate their journeys with confidence and purpose.

Program Director and Associate Professor, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
Patricia Termini, M.S., RAC, is the Director of the Master of Professional Science (M.P.S.) in Regulatory Science and an Associate Professor in the Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics. She has more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and consulting industries focused on regulatory affairs strategy, execution, and project management. Ms. Termini has experience working cross-functionally on pre-approval and post-approval regulatory activities and has worked in multiple therapeutics areas including dermatology, infectious disease, oncology, and rare diseases. She has a M.S. degree in Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance from Temple University, is RAC certified, and has certificates in drug development and project management
Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs BD, NC Local Networking Group
Sequita Lindsey is the Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs Infection Prevention US, Surgery at BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), bringing more than 19 years of experience across the medical device, pharmaceutical, and combination product sectors. Her career began on the manufacturing floor and grew through the ranks of regulatory affairs, giving her a hands-on understanding of every stage of the product lifecycle and a deep, unwavering commitment to patient safety.
In addition to her role at BD, Sequita serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy and Adjunct Professor at North Carolina Central University, Biomanufacturing Research Institute Technology Enterprise (BRITE), reflecting her passion for developing the next generation of regulatory professionals.
Sequita holds a Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs (MSRA) from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Science from Winston-Salem State University. She holds the Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) in Global Scope and is a Fellow of the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (FRAPS), one of the highest distinctions RAPS confers on its members.
As Chair and President of the newly formed RAPS North Carolina Local Networking Group, Sequita is committed to building a connected, inclusive community for regulatory, quality, and compliance professionals across the state.
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