March 2024 | CTSC Newsletter

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We're Hiring!

The CTSC is expanding our team and are currently searching for qualified applicants to fill three open positions. We are looking for talented individuals who are passionate about translational science to join us in our mission to drive innovation and excellence in our field.

Assistant Director, Research Participant Recruitment (Research Associate I)

The Assistant Director, Research Participant Recruitment (ADRPR) will work closely with CTSC senior leadership and scientific program leaders to assist with engaging diverse participant populations within clinical research studies to generate results that are applicable to a broader population. Read more and apply here.

Assistant Director, Research Programs and Proposal Development (Senior Research Associate)

The Assistant Director, Research Programs (ADRP) will work closely with the CTSC senior leadership and scientific program leaders, serving as a subject matter expert on scientific and technical grant writing for researchers and non-research staff to develop, direct, and manage a variety of programs and funding opportunities in the CTSC designed to accelerate discoveries toward better health. Read more and apply here.

Assistant Director, Research Evaluation

The Assistant Director, Research Evaluation will serve as a subject matter expert and advisor to the Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative (CTSC) leadership team as well as other investigators in leading multiple cross-institutional program evaluation activities. The Assistant Director, Research Evaluation will work closely with the CTSC Director of Evaluation to provide an in-depth analysis on the translational research and CTSC education programs and initiatives, specifically with the CTSA program, to develop strategic action plans and to determine the overall impact of the programs and initiatives. The primary responsibilities of this position include: evaluation for translational science education programs and the CTSC, facilitating data capture and electronic tracking, assessing new approaches and best practices to evaluate and visualize outcomes, measure impact, managing progress and outcomes reporting to funders and stakeholders, disseminating scholarly work, and providing data and analyses to be utilized for continuous quality improvement of the CTSC of Northern Ohio. - Posting Coming Soon!

If you or someone you know possesses the skills and enthusiasm to excel in these roles, we encourage you to apply or share these opportunities with your network.

ICYMI

Don't miss out on important news, events, and announcements! Previous editions of our newsletter are available on the News and Announcements page of the CTSC website.

New Voucher Services available from the Community and Stakeholder Engagement (CSE) Module

The CTSC Voucher Program promotes collaboration among the various partner institutions of the CTSC and is designed to support investigators in the acquisition of preliminary data or other project components for grant submission.

Voucher awards are used for CTSC services, up to $7,500, and are limited to one voucher award per project per Principal Investigator within a 6 month period. Projects must be multi-institutional, where at least two (2) CTSC partner institutions are involved -OR- one (1) CTSC partner institution and one (1) community partner are involved.

Browse the CTSC Voucher Program Services Catalog to see the available CSE services.

Visit the Voucher Program website for eligibility and application instructions.

University Hospitals Mobile Research Unit added as an eligible core for the Core Utilization Pilots Program

The UH Mobile Clinical Research Unit is the first-of-its-kind in Northeast Ohio.

The 39-foot Mobile Research Unit is a fully equipped clinic and laboratory designed to expand access to research opportunities to underserved areas across the region such as rural areas, underrepresented racial and ethnic communities, and to those unable to travel such as senior patients, students on college campuses, hospitalized patients in our regional hospitals, or nursing home residents.

Use cases may include research study and clinical trial visits, screenings, research and health education, public event appearances, community outreach and more.

Learn more about the Mobile Research Unit's capabilities and specifications at UHhospitals.org/MobileCRC.

Visit the Core Utilization Pilots Program website for eligibility and application instructions.

The VA Quality Scholars (VAQS) Program

The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center is actively recruiting for the next cohort of the VA Quality Scholars program to develop the next generation of leaders in the research and administration of health care quality.

The VAQS program is a full-time two-year post-doctoral fellowship for doctorally-prepared healthcare professionals that focuses on improving healthcare quality through innovation and health systems research. This program is an immersive experience in the science of implementation and improvement where you will gain experience in health systems research, large database analytics, and learning healthcare systems by conducting quality improvement and implementation research working under the tutelage of interprofessional experts.

Download the VAQS Brochure for details, requirements, and contact information for inquiries.

Media Highlight:

Collaboration for healthcare research reaps benefits for Cleveland, say Cleveland Clinic, UH CEOs

The CTSC of Northern Ohio was named as a key example of Cleveland-area health research collaborations in a recent Cleveland.com article. One of the benefits of collaboration the article highlights is the amount of dollars in funding that collaborative efforts among healthcare systems garner compared to individual systems alone - funding that can lead to more widespread improvements on multiple fronts including employment, health equity, access, medical discoveries and more.

Read the full Cleveland.com article.

CTSC Research Navigation Services

Interested in CTSC services or support but not sure where to start? The CTSC offers complimentary consultative services provided by the Assistant Director of Research Concierge Services to help researchers and potential researchers navigate all that the CTSC has to offer.

View our available CTSC Research Concierge and navigation services and schedule a consultation.

The 2024 Case-Coulter Translational Research Partnership Program Request for Applications (RFA) is open!

The CCTRP supports collaborative translational research projects that address unmet or poorly met clinical needs, An overarching goal of the program is to improve patient care and accelerate the delivery of healthcare technology from academia to the marketplace; of particular interest is research and development work likely leading to commercially relevant translational technologies within a 3-5 year horizon.

The Case-Coulter TRP partners with the Clinical and Translational Science and Collaborative (CTSC) to provide an optional strategic development program (C3i) for applicants who are invited to submit a full proposal and oral pitch. The goal of this program is to provide the necessary resources, including knowledge and market research funding, for applicants to assemble the best possible full application.

Key Dates

PreProposal Due Date - March 15
C3i Program - April to June
Proposals and Pitch Presentations Due - Approximately July
Pitch Day - Approximately August
Project Start Date - September 1

Learn more about the program and submission process on the CCTRP Proposal website.

For additional information please email Stephen Fening or Andrew Cornwell

Dr. Grace McComsey, MD, FIDSA,

Principal Investigator, CTSC

New Statin Therapy Recommendations for People With HIV

Dr. Grace McComsey, CTSC Principal Investigator, served on the writing committee as an HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) representative for new guideline recommendations for statin therapy use as primary ASCVD prevention in people with HIV, which if followed, could dramatically reduce serious cardiovascular events among people with HIV.

Read the brief version of the Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents with HIV

The Case Daily

Women in Science

Dr. McComsey also recently shared her story about her journey into research and medicine with The Daily.

Read more about her and seven other inspiring CWRU women in science.

New CCOS Translational Science Case Studies Working Group

CTSC Director of Evaluation, Dr. Clara M. Pelfrey, and Dr. Deborah DiazGranados, Director of Evaluation at VCU C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, are co-leading a national CTSA Working Group focused on 'Learning about the science of translation: Identifying best practices to accelerate the translational process through case studies'.

The workgroup will conduct a comparative analysis of many kinds of successful translational science case studies.

The purpose of this collaboration is to generate new knowledge about the nature of the translational process by investigating and comparing successful translational science cases that have led to positive impacts on human health. Currently the collaboration has attracted 25 unique institutions/CTSA hubs.

Learn more about this CCOS Translational Science Case Studies working group and its goals.

Clara Pelfrey, PhD

CTSC Program Evaluation Director

CTSC Community and Stakeholder Engagement Team Members Recognized

Four of our Community and Stakeholder Engagement Module teammates are being recognized as Better Health Partnership’s 2024 Women Physician Leaders.

Congrats to Dr. Bharmal, Dr. Bolen, Dr. Gaglioti and Dr. Singh! Thank you for your trailblazing leadership and commitment to promoting the health of our community!

Read more about this recognition and other Northeast Ohio Women Physician Leaders.

Ron Triolo, PhD

Director, APT Center

Cleveland VA program transforming exercise for those with paralysis

The APT Center was recently featured in a WKYC News story

Ron Triolo, PhD professor of biomedical engineering and director of the Advanced Platform Technology Center, discussed his team’s research with implanted and surface stimulation to help individuals with paralysis exercise.

Watch and read the full WKYC News story.

CWRU receives NIH funding to study long-term health effects of East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment

Read more on this CTSC-funded project.

Fireside Chats with Leading Ladies |

Thursdays in March, 2024

Join us every Thursday in March from 12:00-1:00PM via Zoom to hear from leading ladies advancing health equity in community health, data, nursing, and innovation.

March 7, 2024 - Leading Ladies in Community Health
March 14, 2024 - Leading Ladies in Data
March 21, 2024 - Leading Ladies in Nursing
March 28, 2024 - Leading Ladies in Innovation

See the full schedule of presenters and moderators on the registration page.

Women's Health Equity Research Un-Meeting | March 13, 2024

Bring your talent, curiosity, and innovative ideas and join us for our Women's Health Equity Research Un-Meeting on March 13th!

This unique convening of researchers, clinicians, community members, and more will be rich with edification, inspiration, and possibilities for future collaboration aimed at catalyzing new research to advance women's health equity.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024
10:00AM-1:00PM
Virtual via Zoom

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity For Researchers Workshop |

March 13 & 15, 2024

An interactive workshop that helps researchers and health professionals understand how to ensure that their research programs and studies are inclusive.

Discuss the history of LGBTQ+ community in medical and public health research;
Apply framework for LGBTQ+ inclusivity in research;
Perform and assess LGBTQ+ inclusivity practices.

Recently concluded workshops at University of Toledo and MetroHealth.

Upcoming Workshops:

At Cleveland Clinic

Wednesday, March 13, 2024
10:00AM-1:00PM

At University Hospitals

Friday, March 15, 2024
10:00AM-1:00PM

Science Cafe | April 11, 2024

Bring your ideas and an open mind to the next Science Cafe - a monthly educational series that gathers together scientists, investigators, trainees, and community members to engage in meaningful discussions aimed at forging new collaborations through common interests in exciting areas of research.

Every month will feature a new research focus, content expert, fresh perspectives, collaborative thinking and open discussion.

April's Science Cafe will focus on Artificial Intelligence in Research with Dr. David Kaelber, MD, PhD, MPH, Chief Medical Information Officer, MetroHealth System.

Thursday, April 11, 2024
12:00PM-1:00PM
Virtual via Zoom

Black Maternal Health Equity Summit (BMHES) |

April 14, 2024

Be a part of history to help drive change that will advance health equity for Black mothers

BMHES is a half-day convening of stakeholders from diverse industries whose formal and informal education, lived and work experience will help inform research questions and evidence-based solutions to advance health equity for Black mothers, and consequently, all mothers.

Keynote Address by Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens, PhD, award-winning historian, public speaker, and author of Medical Bondage: Race, Gender, and the Origins of American Gynecology

Sunday, April 14, 2024
12:00PM-4:00PM
Cleveland State University
Register by Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Undergraduate Research Week, UH/CTSC "Let's Talk Research" Session | April 15, 2024

Join the UH Clinical Research Center and Clinical & Translational Science Collaborative to celebrate Undergraduate Research Week - a weeklong celebration of the amazing undergraduate students engaged in clinical research around the country.

On Monday, April 15th, we will be hosting the first Let’s Talk Research session where students will be able to share their various research contributions. For example, the data collection and entry from the surveys they conducted with participants that led to a new outcome for patients. A panel of judges from the CRC and the CTSC will be present and awarding prizes to our top performing students.

We are inviting the research community to join our audience and give their insight on these presentations. There will be 10 minutes for questions at the end of each presentation to simulate how students would present to their advisors for capstone presentations.

*Light refreshments will be available throughout the day.

Researchers do not need to be present the whole time, stop by when you have time!*

Monday, April 15, 2024
9:30AM-12:30PM
University Hospitals Cleveland, Kulas Auditorium Room 5121
Register by Tuesday, April 9, 2024

If you are interested in this opportunity or have a student who may want to present, contact Olivia.Larbi@UHhospitals.org.

Contact for more details >

Cardi-OH Webinar |

May, 22 2024

Statewide webinars focus on key topics in primary care with a special focus on cardiovascular and diabetes health.

This webinar will feature Rachel Gold, PhD, MPH as she speaks with us about Social Determinants of Health: Implementing Screening and Taking Action

Wednesday, May 22, 2024
12:00PM-1:00PM
Virtual via Zoom

Learn more and register here >

The APT Center's First Annual Spring i-Con Research Symposium |

May 30, 2024

Graduate students, postdocs, and upperclassmen: Seize this opportunity for professional development.

Showcase your research at the poster session, attend career focused workshops, and hear from renowned leaders in the rehabilitation research field.

The goal is to provide student / trainee - driven professional development programming, feature a world leader in rehabilitation, Dr. Joe Pancrazio, as the keynote speaker, and close with a showcase of your research in a poster session / networking event - with awards for top presentations!

*Abstract submissions for the poster session are open as of March 1st, 2024*