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March 2025 | CTSC Newsletter
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The first-ever CTSC Research Discovery Day will take place this Friday, March 21st, at Tinkham Veale University Center at Case Western Reserve University. This exciting event will showcase the collaborative research happening within our CTSC. In addition to poster sessions and 3-minute thesis presentations, we are thrilled to feature a keynote address from Dr. Michael Holinstat of the University of Michigan, who will share insights from his journey in translational research.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about the services, funding, and resources available to researchers through the CTSC.
A key component of the day will be providing local high school students with the chance to explore clinical and translational research. Approximately 85 students from 20 local high schools will be paired with mentors for the day. They’ll participate in judging poster presentations, attending a panel discussion with research support professionals, touring the mobile research unit, and enjoying a networking lunch.
If you cannot attend Research Discovery Day but wish to watch the keynote virtually, register for the live stream!
Visit our website to learn more about Research Discovery Day.
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Meet the CTSC Team |
Rick Badger,
Assistant Director of Research
Content and Production
Richard (Rick) Badger is the Assistant Director of Content and Production for the CTSC of Northern Ohio. In his role, Rick is a key member of the communications team, overseeing a broad range of creative responsibilities that support the CTSC and its collaborators. He manages video production, graphic design, podcast production, photography, website design, and the biweekly newsletter.
With 18 years of experience in video production and communications, Rick brings a wealth of expertise to the team. He holds a BS in Communications with a concentration in Audio Video Production from East Carolina University. Over the course of his career, Rick has contributed to a wide variety of projects, including television shows, commercials, web ads, instructional videos, music videos, and real estate media. As a licensed commercial drone pilot with over five years of experience in aerial photography and videography, he brings a unique skill set to the table. Before joining the CTSC, Rick served as the video department manager at the National Inventors Hall of Fame, where he directed and produced short documentaries on renowned inventors, produced the prestigious Induction Gala, and contributed to the Camp Invention Project, which inspires children to explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).
Rick joined the CTSC team in September 2024, bringing his diverse background and creative expertise to help further the organization’s mission. Outside work, he loves spending time with his wife, Ellen, daughter, Mae, and their cat, Vinny. He enjoys gardening, walking in the metro parks, watching guilty pleasure reality TV shows like The Bachelor and Love is Blind, and playing guitar.
Fun Fact: Rick plays guitar and sings in a cover band called Electric Badger!
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Enhancing Mechanistic Research on Precision Probiotic Therapies (R33 Clinical Trial Optional). The NOFO aims to identify, understand, and develop strategies to address barriers in precision probiotic interventions' development to account for human heterogeneity resulting in inconsistent responses to probiotic treatments.
- Next Due Date: June 02, 2025 (PAR-25-210)
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Enhancing Mechanistic Research on Precision Probiotic Therapies (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional). This NOFO solicits applications that will characterize person-specific features affecting probiotic responses to identify subgroups of probiotic responders, which may then help enhance probiotic clinical outcomes.
- Next Due Date: June 02, 2025 (PAR-25-211)
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Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Discovery & Development of Natural Products to Treat Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)
- Through January 08, 2029 (NOT-DA-25-032)
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HEAL Initiative: Research to Increase Implementation of Substance Use Prevention Services (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional). The goal of this initiative is to support projects that fill this research to practice gap, improving public health and responding to the opioid crisis by increasing knowledge pertaining to the delivery of prevention services.
- Due Date: June 17, 2025 (RFA-DA-24-066)
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HEAL Initiative: Interdisciplinary Team Science to Uncover the Mechanisms of Pain Relief by Medical Devices (RM1 Clinical Trial Optional). Teams must leverage appropriate multi-disciplinary expertise to develop new principles and methods for experimentation, analysis, and interpretation.
- Due Date: June 09, 2025 (RFA-NS-23-028)
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Groundbreaking Work on "Mycobiomes"
2025 CTSC Integrative Health Themed Pilot Awardee, Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum, a microbiologist and professor at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine, has been at the forefront of research on the human microbiome, particularly the often-overlooked fungal component. While much attention has been given to bacteria, fungi—comprising a crucial part of our gut microbiome—have received less focus, despite their significant role in health. Dr. Ghannoum coined the term "mycobiome" over a decade ago and has since dedicated his career to understanding the impact of fungal imbalances. His research suggests that disruptions in the mycobiome can contribute to a variety of conditions, including Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and even some skin disorders. Dr. Ghannoum’s work is advancing our understanding of the complex relationship between fungi and human health, opening new doors for treatment and prevention strategies.
Listen to Dr. Ghannoum’s full discussion on Mycobiomes on the Sci Friday Podcast.
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New Research Highlights the Potential of Vitamin K2 and D3 in Alleviating Long COVID Symptoms
A recent study funded by University Hospitals and supported by the CTSC of Northern Ohio, has shown promising results for vitamin K2 and D3 in addressing long COVID symptoms. The single-site, randomized controlled trial involved 151 adults who experienced prolonged symptoms more than three months after a COVID-19 infection. Participants were given a daily dose of vitamin K2 MK-7 (K2VITAL MCT) and vitamin D3 for 24 weeks, showing significant improvements in the number of long COVID symptoms and reductions in key inflammatory markers. Notably, the combination of these vitamins led to reduced fatigue, body pain, post-exertional malaise, and improvements in gut health and immune function. This research provides crucial insight into the potential for vitamin supplementation to help manage long COVID, with global applications on the horizon.
Study collaborators: Ornina Atieh, Joviane Daher, Jared Durieux, Marc Abboud, Danielle Labbato, Jhony Baissary, Ziad Koberssy, Kate Ailstock, Morgan Cummings, Nicholas T. Funderburg, and Grace A. McComsey
Read more about how Vitamins K2 and D3 are improving Long COVID
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CTSA Network Event
Monday, March 24, 2025 | 12:00AM - 1:00PM | Virtual Via Zoom
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Team Science Workshop -
The Science of Teamwork: 40 Years of Progress
Join the Johns Hopkins CTSA as they host Dr. Eduardo Salas for a virtual, interactive workshop on actionable principles and strategies for maximizing your research team’s effectiveness, based on his book Teams That Work: The Seven Drivers of Team Effectiveness.
The specific objectives of this workshop are to:
1) Provide a broad overview of the science of teams;
2) Introduce practiced, evidence-based strategies for managing inter-disciplinary research teams;
3) Discuss the future of the science and practice of teamwork.
This workshop is appropriate for any researcher interested in improving their ability to lead or work within interdisciplinary research teams effectively.
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CTSA Network Event
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 2:00PM - 3:00PM | Virtual Via Zoom
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CTSC Event
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 | 11:00AM - 12:00PM | Virtual via Zoom
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CTSC Spotlight Series -
Community-Engaged Research Design & Recruitment Methods from the iHERO Study
In this session, our presenters will provide an overview of the iHERO study, including its objectives and innovative design. Learn how community engagement played a central role in the study, featuring partnerships with local organizations, active involvement of a Community Advisory Board (CAB), and the implementation of equitable enrollment and randomization strategies.
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Additionally, we will highlight the study's expanded recruitment methods and the use of decentralized procedures, including the integration of lab kits, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), and remote participation options to enhance accessibility and participant involvement. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore cutting-edge research methods and community-focused approaches in clinical trials.
Special guests: Julia Blanchette, PhD, RN, BC-ADM, CDCES; Dionne Williams, PhD, RN; and Jorden Rieke, BSN, RN
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CTSC Event
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 | 9:00AM - 1:00PM | Cleveland State University, Glasscock Ballroom
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Community Based Research Career Day
Explore the dynamic world of Clinical and Community-Engaged Research at this exciting event, designed to connect community health workers, researchers, and leaders in the field of community-based research. Whether you're just beginning your career or looking to expand your professional network, this event offers valuable insights, inspiration, and opportunities for growth.
Event Overview:
- A welcome breakfast to kick off the event
- Panel discussions on Community Partners as Researchers, Staff Support in Community-Engaged Research (CER), and Principal Investigators Conducting CER
- Opportunities to network with leaders in the field
- A keynote address by Edith Parker, MPH, DrPH, Dean and Professor, Community and Behavioral Health at The University of Iowa. Dr. Parker will provide an engaging overview of Community-Engaged Research (CEnR), its history, challenges, and benefits, and showcase CEnR projects in biomedical research.
Why Attend?
- Discover careers that align with your passions and expertise;
- Gain insight into the daily work of community-based researchers;
- Connect with influential leaders and professionals in the field; and
- Explore diverse career paths and see representation across the industry.
View the event agenda to see the full line up of speakers. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and explore exciting career opportunities in clinical and community-based research!
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CTSC Event
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM | Virtual via Zoom
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CTSC of Northern Ohio Science Cafe -
Women's Health
We are thrilled to welcome Rachel Pope, MD, MPH
Division Director, Female Sexual Health, Urology Institute at University Hospitals, for our April Science Café.
Dr. Pope will discuss under-researched areas in female sexual health, including vulvar conditions, and the need for more research on menopause. She will also address the challenges surrounding funding in this field, highlighting the importance of increased support to advance these crucial areas of study. Don't miss this insightful discussion on the future of female sexual health research.
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CTSC Event
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM |
In-Person Event, WRB Auditorium (1430), CWRU & Virtual via Zoom
Distinguished Speaker Series -
Practice-Based Research Networks: Assessing Research Readiness in Primary Care
Dr. Katrina Donahue is the Director of Research at the University of North Carolina's Department of Family Medicine. Her research interests span primary care practice redesign, chronic disease management and prevention, health behavior change, and fostering collaboration between public health and primary care. In her seminar, Dr. Donahue will delve into the history of Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs) and showcase current pilot projects aimed at evaluating research readiness in primary care through the Practice Assessment for Research Readiness. Boxed lunches will be provided to those attending in-person.
Following the seminar, we invite you to join us for a
brief networking session from 1:00-2:00PM!
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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.
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