CVRTI Core Staff

Nuria Anderson
Executive Assistant
(801) 587-9514 | nuria.anderson@utah.edu

Nuria Anderson is an Executive Assistant at CVRTI. She joined the team in March 2024 and has extensive administrative experience in various industries. Nuria assists CVRTI Leadership and coordinates the weekly CVRTI Seminar Series and recruitment visits.

Angelos Antonopoulos
Grants and Contracts Officer
(801) 587-9507 | angelos.antonopoulos@utah.edu

Angelos Antonopoulos joined CVRTI as a Grants and Contracts Officer in January 2025. In this role, he collaborates closely with the Associate Director, Administrative Manager, and Principal Investigators to ensure the efficient administration of grants and contracts.

Originally from Greece, Angelos moved to the U.S. in 2012 to attend the University of Utah, where he earned a B.S. in Environmental Science and Sustainability Studies, with a minor in Multi-Disciplinary Design. He has over three years of experience in grant management and more than a decade in customer service. Before joining CVRTI, Angelos worked as a Grant Management Specialist for the United States Department of Agriculture and Agriculture Grant and Funding Consultant in the private sector.

Outside of work, Angelos enjoys cooking, playing video games, outdoor adventures, and discovering new music within his favorite genres, metal and punk rock.

Kat Cannon
Administrative Manager
(801) 587-9508 | Kat.Cannon@utah.edu

As the Administration Manager at the CVRTI, Kat ensures efficient operations by supporting research labs and leadership with their administrative needs. She also oversees HR-related matters and serves as the institute’s hiring manager. Additionally, Kat supervises day-to-day activities of the Core staff, ensuring effective coordination and productivity.

With extensive experience in higher education and healthcare settings, she excels in streamlining processes and fostering collaboration across the CVRTI and multiple university departments. Outside of work, Kat has been a volunteer Puppy Raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind since 2020.

Lynn Kolhepp
Science Research Manager
(801) 587-pending | lynn.kolhepp@utah.edu

Lynn Kolhepp is a Science Research Manager at CVRTI, where she has been contributing since October 2022. With over 25 years of experience in contract research organizations, she has a strong background in FDA Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs) and Quality Assurance. At CVRTI, Lynn supports leadership by assisting with translational research initiatives, including Investigational New Drug (IND) submissions. She also assists with Pharmacology studies, manages contracts, and oversees specialized operations for in-house potency testing.

Stefanie Lehman
Administrative Project Specialist
(801) 581-8183 | stefanie.lehman@utah.edu

Stefanie joined the CVRTI as an Administrative Project Lead in March 2024. She works closely with the Associate Director and Administrative Manager to plan, coordinate, and lead administrative projects within the organization. She collaborates and supports other Core Staff members in the event of absences, assists in the development of institute budgets and forecasts, and compiles data to assist in accounting processes and preparing financial reports and transactions.

Stefanie recently moved to Utah from Montana, where she’d established a 10 + year career in teaching as well as many years in the customer service industry. She is passionate about personal and professional growth and overall health and wellbeing. Stefanie enjoys spending time with her partner hiking, traveling, playing pinball, and finding new recipes to cook.

Anja Petrovic
Grants and Contracts Officer
(801) 587-9508 | anja.petrovic@utah.edu

Anja Petrovic is a Grants and Contracts Officer at the CVRTI. She works closely with the Associate Director, Administrative Manager and Principal Investigators. She has recently joined CVRTI in July 2023, previously working at University of Utah Campus-Purchasing as an Auditor for 4 years. She has over 10 years of experience in customer service, administration support and finance. She has been at the University of Utah since 2013.

Outside of work, Anja enjoys reading, learning about art and spending time with her family and her 3 dogs. When she isn’t spending time with family or reading, she is working on home renovations and gardening.

Kade Roberts
Research Operations Specialist
(801) 585-1101| kade.roberts@utah.edu

Kade joined CVRTI in July 2025 as the Research Operations Specialist, having prior experience as a lab technician & manager in academic research environments. He works closely with the CVRTI labs and external entities to oversee management of the operating room, ensure regulatory compliance & lab safety, and act as facilities liaison for the building.

Terrence Ulibarri
Laboratory Specialist
(801)581-4978 | terrence.ulibarri@utah.edu

Terrence joined CVRTI in July 2025 as a laboratory specialist. In this role, he works closely with CVRTI leadership, contributing to research on ischemia-reperfusion injury models. His responsibilities include drafting and submitting experimental protocols, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting Principal Investigators engaged in related research initiatives.

Prior to his work at CVRTI, Terrence served for six years in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. During his service, he collaborated with the Navy Health Research Center on hypothermia research conducted at the Mountain Warfare Training Center. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science with a concentration in Biology while on active duty.

Outside the lab, Terrence enjoys spending time with his wife and their dog. An outdoor enthusiast, he spends his free time skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, rappelling, and exploring the natural beauty of the region. He also enjoys movies, reading, and staying active. Terrence plans to pursue a medical degree, with the goal of integrating his research experience into a future career in clinical medicine.

Megan Woodard
Administrative Assistant

(801) 581-5834 | megan.woodard@utah.edu

Megan Woodard is an Administrative Assistant at the CVRTI. She works closely with the Administrative Manager, the Associate Director, Grants team, Principal Investigators and their labs providing administrative support. She just recently joined the team in October 2022 after five years of management experience and is looking forward to advancing her career in academic administration.

Megan oversees the Institute’s Twitter and LinkedIn accounts, lab and Institute purchasing, and organizes events such as board meetings and social gathering.

Haonan Yang, MS
IT Specialist
(801) 587-9524 | Haonan.Yang@utah.edu

Haonan is an IT Specialist with eight years of experience working in the higher education industry. He works with lab staff, trainees, and Investigators,resolving IT issues and educating them on various software and networks.

Additionally, Haonan specializes in programming and networks and website development technology for the Institute. He is a tech-savvy, easy-going and positive person. Haonan received his Bachelor of Science in Information System and his Master of Science in Information System from the University of Utah. In his free time, he likes to hike, explore the world, and hang out with his family.