April 2026, Issue 2 | CTSC Newsletter

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Warm greetings,

Supporting the next generation of clinical and translational researchers requires intentional investment in education, training, and career development. As the research landscape continues to evolve, accessible and flexible learning opportunities are more important than ever.

I am pleased to share that the CTSC Research Education Platform is now available to CTSC members. This new platform provides free access to a growing collection of clinical research education and professional development resources designed to support learners across the full clinical and translational science spectrum.

The platform offers tailored learning pathways, career development materials, and connections to training opportunities across the clinical research ecosystem. Whether you are a faculty member, trainee, or research support professional, these resources are designed to meet you where you are and support your continued growth.

I encourage you to explore the platform, engage with the content, and consider how these tools can enhance your work and advance your career. Together, we can continue to strengthen our research workforce and foster excellence across our collaborative community.

CTSC Launches Canvas Catalog Research Education Platform

The CTSC of Northern Ohio is excited to announce the launch of Canvas Catalog, a free, public‑facing research education platform designed to support learning in clinical and translational research at every career stage.

Canvas Catalog brings together a centralized collection of self‑paced learning modules, curated resources, and career development opportunities for a wide range of audiences. Whether you are just beginning your research journey or looking to expand your expertise, Canvas Catalog offers flexible, accessible learning tailored to your goals.

Canvas Catalog features five distinct learning paths to support learners and professionals across the research continuum:

• Current High School Students and Graduates
• Undergraduate and and Master's Students from both 2- and 4-year Universities, as well as Vocational Schools
• Clinical Research Support Professionals
• Community Health Workers & Community Organizations Interested in Research
• Investigator and Trainee Research Education & Resources

CTSC members received access instructions last week and we invite you to explore the platform today!

Mood and Psychosis Symptoms during the Menopause Transition (R21): The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), with potential co‑funding from the Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH), is seeking applications for exploratory and developmental research on mood and psychosis symptoms during the menopausal transition. This opportunity supports mechanistic and translational studies to better understand the neurobiological and behavioral processes underlying symptom onset and worsening during perimenopause.

• Expiration Date: January 08, 2028 | PAR‑25‑282

Mind and Body Interventions to Restore Whole Person Health via Emotional Well-Being Mechanisms (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required): The purpose of this NOFO is to support rigorous, well-powered mechanistic clinical trials examining how mind and body interventions (e.g., mindfulness meditation, yoga, acupuncture, massage) influence innovative mechanisms of emotional well-being (EWB) and their associations with whole person health. Studies must evaluate EWB mechanisms as the primary outcome and include the Whole Person Health Index as a secondary outcome to advance understanding of health restoration across the lifespan.

• Due Date: June 8, 2026 | PAR-25-449

CTSC K12 Program Celebrates First Publication

We are proud to announce the first peer‑reviewed publication from the CTSC K12 program, led by Dr. James Ross and first‑authored by trainee Mikhail Stiffler (CWRU MS2). The study explores molecular and physiologic mechanisms relevant to surgical disease and earned the Best Manuscript Award at the 2026 Academic Surgical Congress, marking an important milestone for CTSC‑supported training and mentorship.

Read Dr. James Ross and Mikhail Stiffler's full article

Advancing Evidence‑Based Care for Urinary Incontinence

Led by Adonis Hijaz, MD, a CTSC ATLAS Cohort 1 scholar, the UH Urology Institute is advancing evidence‑based care for urinary incontinence. Dr. Hijaz and colleagues are leading the RESTORE study of the FDA‑approved Revi™ implantable neuromodulation device and completed the EMPOWER study, which showed that patient engagement—particularly Nurse Navigator support—improves symptom outcomes and access to care.

Learn how Adonis Hijaz, MD Advances Evidence‑Based Care for Urinary Incontinence

Carly Rose Selected for Keystone Symposia

Carly M. Rose, MS, a graduate student and CTSC member at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, was selected to give an oral presentation at the 2026 Keystone Symposia in Hannover, Germany. Using N3C data from ~1.5 million adults aged 65+, Rose found COVID‑19 infection increased risk of late-onset Alzheimer disease by ~13%, while Shingrix vaccination reduced risk by ~29%. The work underscores N3C’s value as a national research resource; researchers are encouraged to register for the April 27 N3C Community Forum to learn more.

New Treatment for Hypereosinophilic Syndrome



Princess Ogbogu, MD, TIN Hub Liaison for the CTSC, led a phase 3 trial advancing treatment options for hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), a rare disorder causing organ damage from high eosinophil levels. Published in Nature Medicine, the NATRON study showed benralizumab reduced first HES flares by 65% and improved fatigue, supporting it as a promising option for patients with difficult-to-treat HES.

Read the full article on Dr. Princess Ogbogu’s HES research

CWRU Spring Master's Poster Symposium & Activities Fair

Event Details

CTSC Distinguished Speaker Series:

"Food Insecurity and Chronic Disease Outcomes: Mechanisms, Pathways, and Interventions"

Speaker: Rebekah J Walker, PhD

Event Details | CME Available

CTSC Mock Study Section



CTSC Webinar: NIH Common Forms Review

Speaker: Sue Marasco, PhD

CTSC Science Cafe:

"Nutrition and Chronic Disease"

Speaker: Hope Barkoukis, PhD

CTSC Distinguished Speaker Series

Speaker: Elmer Berstam, MD

Translating Science into Art

The CTSC Insight Summit is elevating the traditional poster session into a dynamic, immersive experience. Our Scientific Poster Abstract Session, themed “AI to Better Health Outcomes,” will spotlight cutting‑edge research demonstrating how artificial intelligence is transforming health and medicine.

This year, we’re adding a bold creative twist by using AI to generate symbolic artwork inspired by each abstract’s data and key findings. These visual interpretations bring research to life, offering a fresh and compelling way to experience the ideas, impact, and innovation behind the science.

Join us at the AI Summit to see how data, discovery, and design come together to shape the future of health.

Healthy Weight Management

This Community Engagement (CE) Studio brings together community members and researchers to inform healthy weight and aging research and will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 4:00–6:00 PM at the Midtown Collaboration Center. Participants include Cleveland-area adults age 50+ interested in weight management or living with diet-related conditions, as well as caregivers in their 30s–40s supporting adults 50+ with obesity or related conditions.

For more information on the Healthy Weight Management Studio

Living with COPD in Rural Ohio



This Community Engagement (CE) Studio brings together community members and researchers to inform chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management research focused on rural Ohio and will take place on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM via Zoom. Participants include adults age 65 and older living in Ashtabula or Columbiana County who have been diagnosed with COPD (including chronic bronchitis or emphysema), as well as caregivers of individuals who meet these criteria.

For more information on the Living with COPD in Rural Ohio CE Studio

ACTS Membership for Community Members

CTSC community partners are eligible to become members of the Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS). Community members are able to access ACTS' member benefits, including:

• Discounted registration to the annual Translational Science meeting
• Opportunities to participate in Special Interest Groups and Committees
• Access to the ACTS community platform website, Tradewing
• And more!

To join, community members can create an account on the ACTS website and join under Case Western Reserve University.

Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Northern Ohio

case.edu/medicine/ctsc