August 2025, Issue 2 | CTSC Newsletter



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Announcing Our New Deputy Director:

Jeri Jewett-Tennant, MPH, MCHES

The CTSC is pleased to announce the promotion of Jeri Jewett-Tennant, MPH, MCHES to Deputy Director. In this role, Jeri will assist in providing strategic leadership and administrative management to CTSC activities and will assure a supportive and effective infrastructure to further the mission of the CTSC as well as the goals of its modules, services and resources. She will also facilitate and foster collaboration and communication among the CTSC's various components, cores and institutional partners. 

“I am truly honored by this promotion to Deputy Director and grateful for the support of CTSC leadership and my colleagues throughout the CTSC and especially in the administrative hub. I'm excited to strengthen our resources through continued teamwork and innovation and look forward to increasing my contribution to our shared mission of excellence in supporting clinical translational research across our partners."  

Now Accepting Applications:

CTSC K12 Career Development

Program for Clinician Investigators

The Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative (CTSC) of Northern Ohio is seeking early-career clinician investigators for its innovative K12 career development program. This multi-year initiative offers intensive training, mentorship, and support for those interested in multidisciplinary clinical and translational research. Eligible applicants include individuals with doctoral degrees (M.D., Ph.D., D.D.S., Pharm.D., Psy.D., or equivalent) who hold positions at CTSC partner institutions and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Scholars receive salary support, research and travel funds, tuition benefits, and access to accomplished mentors. Detailed application information will be available September 1, 2025.

Translational Science Week 2025:

Safety in Research

Translational Science Week returns September 15–19, 2025, as the CTSC celebrates its 18th birthday with a full slate of events focused on advancing safety and quality in research. Enjoy a week of learning, collaboration, and networking, including webinars, in-person gatherings at the University of Toledo and NEOMED, an ice cream social at CWRU, and a virtual session on IRB safety in clinical trials. The week wraps up with a special funding RFA to spark new research ideas.

For details and registration, visit the 2025 Translational Science Week page

Lighting the Path to Discovery: 2025 CTSC Research Discovery Day Recap



On March 21, the CTSC of Northern Ohio welcomed 247 attendees—including students from 20 local high schools, faculty, and research professionals—for a day of collaboration, mentorship, and scientific exploration. Highlights included poster sessions, a keynote by Dr. Michael Holinstat, career panels, and mobile research unit tours. The event inspired students to pursue research careers and sparked new collaborations among researchers, with over 95% rating it “very good” or “excellent.”

Read the full article on CTSC Research Discovery Day

CTSC Annual Pilot Award Program 2026 – Apply Now!

The CTSC Annual Pilot Award Program 2026 is now accepting applications, with up to eight awards of $50,000 each available for projects running July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. Proposals must include at least two CTSC partner institutions, and priority will be given to projects in translational science, multi-center studies, dissemination and implementation, rural health, artificial intelligence, and other emerging topics.

• LOI Deadline: Monday, October 20, 2025



Read the full RFA & Register for the Annual Pilot Program Technical Webinar

Other Funding Opportunities:

• Support for Early Stage Investigators: NIH Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) – Supports innovative, ambitious research programs in biomedical science for early stage investigators, offering flexibility to pursue new directions and larger awards than typical R01 grants. The program will also help distribute funding more widely among the nation's highly talented and promising investigators. MIRA grants will generally be for 5 years.
• Expiration Date: February 4, 2026 | PAR-23-145

• Expanding the Target Landscape by Drugging the Undruggable (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) - the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is participating in PAR-25-442, exploratory and early-stage projects that focus on undruggable target classes (targets that cannot be engaged with high affinity through conventional means) within intractable human disease.
• Expiration Date: February 18, 2028 | PAR-25-422

We're Hiring!

Assistant Director of Research Concierge Services

The Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Northern Ohio (CTSC) is seeking an Assistant Director of Research Concierge Services. This role supports researchers across seven partner institutions by coordinating resources, facilitating collaboration, and connecting investigators with funding opportunities. Candidates should have advanced research experience and strong communication skills. This is a great opportunity to help drive innovative research and collaboration in Northern Ohio.

Introducing "Stories of Impact" from the CTSC of Northern Ohio!

Discover how CTSC-funded research is transforming health in Northern Ohio and beyond through this new video series. Each episode introduces a researcher whose work pushes the boundaries of clinical and translational science while building meaningful connections with the community. The series takes you inside innovative projects tackling chronic and rare diseases, improving research practices, and making a real-world difference.

Watch and be inspired by the stories making a difference in Northern Ohio and beyond!

Advancing Frontiers in the Science of Reproduction: A Multidisciplinary Symposium



Advancing Frontiers in the Science of Reproduction” is a free, day-long symposium taking place on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM at the MidTown Collaboration Center. This event will bring together researchers, clinicians, and community members to explore innovative research and collaborative approaches in reproductive health. The program features an interactive workshop led by Dr. Peter S. Hovmand, offering practical tools for building effective academic-community partnerships and applying systems thinking to reproductive science. Lunch and parking are provided, and the first 100 registrants will receive a complimentary copy of the book 'Inferior' by Angela Saini.

Mentoring Program for Community Engaged Researchers



Are you looking to grow your skills in community-engaged research? The CTSC Mentoring Program is now accepting applications! This unique program connects early-stage investigators and those new to community-engaged research with experienced mentors, focusing on building meaningful partnerships with community members and organizations.

Application Deadline: September 5, 2025



For more information, see the CER Mentoring Program flyer

Eligibility:

Redefining Academic Impact: Members Advocate for Change

In "A Call to Redefine Impact in Academia," Kiana Aran, PhD, and Umut Gurkan, PhD, CTSC Pilot Module co-Lead, urge universities to move beyond valuing publication counts and grant dollars, advocating instead for recognition of real-world impact, collaboration, and translational discoveries. The authors highlight the need for stronger university-industry partnerships, better support for commercialization, and improved science communication, arguing that these changes are essential to restore trust in science and ensure research delivers meaningful societal benefits.

Read Dr. Kiana Aran and Dr. Umut Gurkan's full article on Redefining Academic Impact

Dr. Ian Neeland and the Transformative Impact of GLP-1s on Cleveland Patients

Ian Neeland, MD—CTSC Pilot Committee member, ATLAS Co-hort 1 participant, UH investigator, and endowed professor—leads innovative research on obesity and metabolic disease in Cleveland. His work at UH’s CINEMA program, supported by the CTSC, highlights the transformative impact of GLP-1 medications for patients facing diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Far from being just a diet trend, GLP-1s are helping Clevelanders achieve significant weight loss and improved health outcomes.

Read more about Dr. Ian Neeland and GLP-1s

Dr. David Kaelber Links Semaglutide to Lower Dementia Risk in Type 2 Diabetes

Dr. David Kaelber, CTSC Informatics Module Lead, and his collaborators found that semaglutide significantly lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s-related dementias in patients with type 2 diabetes, based on EHR data from more than 1.7 million individuals. Supported by the CTSC, this research highlights semaglutide’s potential brain health benefits and underscores the need for further clinical trials.

Read Dr. David Kaelber’s study on semaglutide and dementia risk

CTSC Investigators Drive Translational Science for Real-World Health Solutions

A new study led by Umut A. Gurkan, CTSC Pilot Module co-lead, along with Kelli Qua and CTSC staff members Lixin Zhang, Clara M. Pelfrey, Shannon Swiatkowski, and Sheree Hemphill at Case Western Reserve University, highlights the significant public health impact of translational science at the CTSC of Northern Ohio. Using the Translational Science Benefits Model, the team showed how CTSC-supported research is improving healthcare access, outcomes, policy, and economic benefits across communities—transforming discoveries into lasting health solutions locally and globally.

Discover more Public Health Impacts of Translational Science at the CTSC of Northern Ohio

CTSC Event

Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM | Virtual Via Zoom

Informatics Open Office Hours

Are you using Epic Cosmos or TriNetX for research? Join the CTSC of Northern Ohio’s Big Data Informatics Series Office Hours for expert guidance from Drs. Hughes and Jarrett. Get help with queries, data downloads, or choosing the right platform—office hours support users at all levels and build on our Big Data webinar series.

CTSC Partner Event

Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 5:30PM - 6:30PM | Virtual Via Zoom

UH CRC Resident & Fellow Research Training

Join us for a 1-hour virtual session designed specifically for UH residents and fellows to help you navigate the research process. This session covers the IRB submission process, required training, Clinical Research Center operations, and introduces valuable resources from UH CRC and CWRU CTSC—including biostatistical support, TriNetX, REDCap, and more. Get the tools and guidance you need to launch your research successfully.

CTSC Event

Thursday, August 28, 2025 | 11:00AM - 12:00PM | Virtual Via Zoom

Advanced REDCap Workshop: Live Demonstrations & Expert Tips

Take your REDCap skills to the next level with this interactive session led by Sheree Hemphill, Informatics Manager at CTSC. Designed for users already familiar with basic REDCap functions, this workshop features live demonstrations on advanced topics including longitudinal and repeatable instruments, reports and exports, calculated fields, piping, action tags, and alerts & notifications. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your REDCap expertise!

CTSC Event

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | 11:00AM - 12:00PM | Virtual Via Zoom

CTSC Spotlight Series:

UG3 Grants & Collaboration: Building AI Data Sets in Neurology 

Dr. Jeffrey Loeb, John S. Garvin Endowed Chair and Professor and Head of the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation, will share insights on how UG3/UH3 funding mechanisms can accelerate research progress. His talk will highlight the power of collaboration in developing innovative research approaches and discuss why teamwork is essential for addressing complex neurological conditions.

CTSC Event

Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM | Virtual Via Zoom

CTSC Science Cafe: Irritability & Depression in Cancer Patients

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Amy Zhang, Associate Professor at Case Western Reserve University, as our next CTSC Science Cafe speaker. Dr. Zhang will highlight new research on measuring irritability, its link to depression, and related neuroimmunological biomarkers.

CTSC Partner Event

Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM | Virtual Via Zoom

Oncology Research Awareness Webinar

Join us for an interactive webinar focused on oncology research. With over 2 million new cancer cases projected in 2025, this panel discussion will highlight the latest advancements in oncology research at University Hospitals, share insights on patient care improvements, and explore the panelists’ personal journeys in clinical research. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and raise awareness about the future of cancer research and care.

Save The Date!

Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 8:00AM - 4:30PM | Tinkham Veale University Center

CWRU School of Medicine Graduate and Medical Student Research Day

Join us on Thursday, October 16, 2025, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm at the Tinkham Veale University Center for Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine Graduate and Medical Student Research Day. Highlights include a keynote address by Dr. Sua Myong, Professor at Boston Children’s Hospital, on “FUS Granule Assembly Mechanism,” plus posters, presentations, and awards.

CTSC Event

Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 8:00AM - 5:00PM | MCC

Second Annual Epic Cosmos Datathon

Join the CTSC of Northern Ohio for the second multi-institutional Epic Cosmos Datathon, held at the MidTown Collaboration Center. Over the course of the day, teams will harness their skills, tackle challenges, and transform concepts into tangible results. The event culminates in a dynamic presentation session, where each group shares their findings and insights with everyone.

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