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March 2025 | CTSC Newsletter
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Hello Everyone,
In the evolving landscape of clinical and translational research, our commitment remains steadfast: to advance scientific discovery and improve health care for all. At the CTSC of Northern Ohio, we are dedicated to fostering collaboration in research that bridges the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and patient care. Our collective work supports the development of transformative solutions that will benefit communities in northern Ohio and beyond.
I am especially excited to launch our first-ever CTSC Research Discovery Day on March 21, from 8:30AM - 2:00PM at Tinkham Veale University Center at Case Western Reserve University. This event will showcase a wide array of CTSC-funded projects, featuring over 50 scientific poster presentations, a Careers in Clinical Research panel discussion, 3-minute Thesis (3MT) presentations, and an inspiring keynote by Dr. Michael Holinstat from the University of Michigan. His talk, 'Developing a Successful Career in Translational Research: From Concept to the Clinic,' promises to be a highlight of the day. We are thrilled to welcome 100 Cleveland-area high school students, CTSC investigators, members, staff, and community collaborators in attendance, making this a truly special occasion for all involved. There is still time to register; see below for more information.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we strive to make a meaningful impact on health outcomes through science.
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From Research to Real Life Podcast
Episode 6 | Education and Training
In the final episode of season 1, our host, McKenzie Ritter, Assistant Director of Research Education and Training for the CTSC, sits down with Mary Dolansky, Co-Lead of the Workforce Development Team and Associate Professor at Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. McKenzie and Mary will discuss the ongoing developments in workforce development, research education, and how we’re building the future of research support professionals.
Subscribe and listen to the podcast on our website or on any of these platforms:
Or, watch and subscribe to the video podcast on YouTube!
From Research to Real Life is dedicated to providing resources, stories, conversations, and inspiration to researchers and the community to help advance medicine, health equity and move your work from research to real life.
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Meet the CTSC Team |
Melissa Sowa
Manager of Finance and
Administrative Operations
Melissa Sowa is the Manager of Finance & Administrative Operations for the CTSC of Northern Ohio. In her current role, Melissa oversees a wide range of financial and administrative tasks to support the mission of the CTSC. She is also pursuing her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management through the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. With 12 years of experience in clinical research, Melissa has a strong background in research finance and grant management from her time at University Hospitals’ Clinical Research Center. She also has significant experience in auditing and general accounting. Melissa joined the CTSC team in December of 2023 and has quickly become a valuable asset using her diverse expertise to help further the organization’s goals. Outside of work, Melissa is a wife and mother of two. She loves spending time outdoors, camping, cruising, and crafting, as well as cheering on her kids at their sporting events. When she’s not balancing budgets or submitting invoices, you can find her enjoying quality time with her family.
Fun Fact: If Melissa hadn’t found her passion in research and accounting, she might have been a dolphin trainer! She’s had the incredible opportunity to swim with dolphins twice- once on her honeymoon and again on a family vacation with her children. As an added bonus, she even got to meet Winter, the famous dolphin from Dolphin Tale!
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Funding Mechanisms within NCATS / CTSC:
Unlocking Research Opportunities
The CTSC Voucher Program and Core Utilization Pilot Grants are two valuable funding opportunities designed to support and accelerate your research efforts. In addition, the Collaborative and Innovative Acceleration Award is an excellent opportunity to work with other NCATS CTSA programs.
To learn more about our funding opportunities, please submit a grant development consultation in SPARCRequest.
CTSC Voucher Program:
The CTSC Voucher Program provides up to $7,500 for investigators to enhance their research by collaborating across partner institutions. This funding supports a variety of research needs, including acquiring preliminary data, developing "proof of concept" projects, or gathering additional data to strengthen grant proposals. With a rolling deadline, the program allows you to apply whenever the need arises to push your research forward.
Core Utilization Pilot:
The Core Utilization Pilot Award offers up to $10,000 to help investigators access specialized research technologies and expertise available at partner institutions. This includes state-of-the-art facilities like the Mobile Research Unit (MRU) at University Hospitals, a 39-foot mobile clinic and laboratory that brings data collection directly to community settings across Northern Ohio. These core facilities are designed to reduce barriers to research and make it easier to collect valuable data. Applications for the Core Utilization Pilot are accepted monthly, with deadlines on the first day of each month.
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UG3 Collaborative and Innovative Acceleration Award:
The Collaborative and Innovative Acceleration Award, or the UG3/UH3 mechanism, is an excellent opportunity to work with other NCATS CTSA programs. It is available to active CTSA Hubs and partnering organizations. For both UG3 and UH3 Phases, an application must include at least three currently active eligible organizations. The UG3 phase is the first of the bi-phasic approach designed to fund exploratory and/or developmental research, followed by the UH3 is to successfully complete the milestones set in the UG3. Additional CTSA member institutions can provide valuable skills and resources to build collaboration and innovation in translational science.
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Accepting Applications for Winn Career Development Award
We are excited to share an incredible opportunity through the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program (Winn Awards), a $124.5 million initiative aimed at improving clinical trial participation and driving better health outcomes across communities. Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, Gilead Sciences, Amgen, and Genentech, and led by the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, this program is transforming the clinical research landscape.
The Winn Career Development Award (Winn CDA) is a prestigious 2-year program designed to support early-stage physician researchers who are committed to improving access to clinical trials and health outcomes through their research and mentorship. This is an excellent opportunity for emerging clinical trialists to develop their careers and make a lasting impact on the field.
Applications are now open and will be accepted through Monday, May 12, 2025.
Click here to learn more about the Winn CDA
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Help Develop Future Training Focused on Translational Science
Researchers affiliated with the Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative (CTSC) of Northern Ohio at Case Western Reserve University are conducting a study to identify the knowledge and skills needed to optimize health outcomes through translational sciences. Your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping future training programs focused on this important field.
What is this study about?
This study seeks to better understand the essential competencies required in translational science to drive improved health outcomes. The results will help guide the development of future training programs designed to equip researchers with the tools they need to be successful in translational science.
Who can participate?
If you are 18 years or older, affiliated with a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA), and involved in health-related research in some capacity, this study is for you!
What to expect?
Participants will be asked to complete a brief online survey, which will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. In recognition of your time and input, compensation will be provided.
Please send questions to the Research Project Director, Dr. Emily Nelson
Click here to review the study flyer
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CTSC Services:
Empowering Research through Community Engagement
When research extends beyond academic and clinical environments and into the neighborhoods of Northern Ohio, the Community Engaged (CE) Studio offers invaluable support. Through collaboration with partners from the CER Network, the CE Studio facilitates insightful exchanges on the community’s role in research and ensures the relevance of the results. This service helps bridge the gap between researchers and the communities they study, fostering an enriched, more impactful research experience for both parties.
The CE Studio is an evidence-based consultative model designed to gather crucial patient and community insights that inform various stages of the research process— from design to implementation, translation, and dissemination. It plays a key role in building strong community-academic partnerships, helping investigators refine their research with real-world perspectives.
As Dr. Ivory Simms highlights, the CE Studio allows researchers to receive feedback from community experts, guiding them to create studies that are both effective and meaningful. Current voucher pricing for a CE Studio is up to $3,300 for an in-person session and up to $2,350 for a virtual session. This funding covers essential costs such as recruitment of community experts and facilitators, travel, room rental, and other related expenses.
Interested in learning more? Request a community engagement consultation through SPARCRequest to plan your CE Studio and learn about the voucher process to get started on your community-driven research.
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CTSC Event
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 | 11:00AM - 12:00PM | Virtual via Zoom
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CTSC Spotlight Series -
Tools to Aid in Recruitment and Retention
Join Heather Tribout, CTSC Resources and Services Module Administrator and Trial Innovation Network (TIN) Liaison, for an insightful session on innovative tools and strategies to improve participant recruitment, retention, and engagement in clinical research. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare and 13 years focused on clinical research, Heather will highlight resources developed to streamline the recruitment process and enhance participant experiences.
During the session, Heather will discuss:
- The UH Mobile Research Unit and its ability to bring research directly to participants
- Advanced technology for issuing participant compensation and travel reimbursements, including Lyft rideshare options
- The power of automated communication tools, such as texting, emailing, and voice calling, to engage participants efficiently
- How centralized registries and searchable databases help connect potential participants to relevant studies
Gain valuable insights from a seasoned professional in the field and discover how these innovative strategies can accelerate study implementation and foster meaningful participant relationships.
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CTSC Event
Thursday, March 13, 2025 | 12:00PM | Virtual via Zoom
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CTSC of Northern Ohio Science Cafe -
Ethical Issues in Translational Science
We are thrilled to welcome Aaron Goldenberg, PhD, Director of Research in the Department of Bioethics at the School of Medicine and Director of the Bioethics Center for Community Health and Genomic Equity, along with Eric Kodish, MD, Professor at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and the Department of Bioethics, School of Medicine, for our March Science Café.
They will explore the fundamentals of research ethics and engage in a discussion about how investigators can meaningfully collaborate with communities. What values align the research process with the needs and health challenges of participants and the public? How can clinical science enhance its responsiveness and commitment to improving public health outcomes? These questions are crucial not only for traditional clinical research but also for studies utilizing stored specimens and data.
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CTSC Event
Friday, March 21, 2025 | 8:30AM - 2:00PM | Tinkham Veale University Center, CWRU
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The Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Northern Ohio invites you on a journey to explore translational research projects, career paths in clinical research, and to learn more about the variety of services offered within the CTSC.
CTSC Research Discovery Day aims to:
- Celebrate successful collaborative research from the CTSC and its partner institutions (Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), University Hospitals, University of Toledo and the VA Northeast Ohio Health System (VANEOHS))
- Showcase the variety of services and opportunities available from the CTSC
- Provide local high school and undergraduate students an opportunity to explore career paths in clinical research
Many aspects of clinical and translational research will be highlighted in this day-long symposium. Poster sessions will showcase a variety of CTSC-supported research among its partner institutions. Selected abstracts will be presented as short oral presentations.
A keynote speaker and panel session will showcase the vast number of careers in clinical research, including roles such as finance specialists, project managers, and investigators. This will provide students the opportunity to learn about the daily responsibilities of these roles and the career paths that lead to them. The keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Holinstat, a professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Michigan, will present on 'Developing a Successful Career in Translational Research: From Concept to the Clinic.' Additionally, there will be opportunities for CTSC resources and services from CTSC partners to be showcased at informational tables during the event. Staff and faculty will be available to promote their services, discuss careers, and answer questions from attendees. If you are unable to attend Research Discovery Day, but wish to watch the keynote virtually, click here to register for the virtual live stream.
Registration for Research Discovery Day is now open. This event is free for all attendees, please register by March 14, 2025 to secure your spot!
Visit our website to learn more about Research Discovery Day
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CTSA 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 Event
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 2:00PM - 3:00PM | Virtual Via Zoom
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Partner Event
Friday, April 4, 2025 | 2:00PM - 3:00PM | Virtual Via Zoom
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Quality Improvement
Cardiovascular Series Kick-Off
Cardi-OH is recruiting Ohio primary care practices to participate in an innovative quality improvement (QI) initiative using the Project ECHO model.
HOW IT WORKS
- Practices design, implement, and evaluate a QI project that addresses an important problem in cardiovascular disease prevention or management.
- Monthly 1-hour virtual ECHO clinics featuring didactic presentations led by subject matter experts, followed by a discussion of practices’ progress in QI efforts.
- Monthly data submission followed by a 1-hour QI coaching session to review your practice’s individual QI project.
WHY JOIN?
- Continuous learning and professional development.
- Support from a dedicated QI coach.
- Improved patient care delivery.
- No-cost CME credits available and support for MOC.
If you have any questions or need assistance with registration please contact the Cardi-OH team at
ECHO-QI@Cardi-OH.org or visit Cardi-OH.org.
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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.
The day will feature:
- 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;
- Explore diverse career paths and see representation across the industry.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and explore exciting career opportunities in clinical and community-based research!
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Postdoc Position Available:
CTSC T32 Clinical and Translational Science Program
The CTSC's T32 Clinical and Translational Scientist Training Program is accepting applications for one postdoctoral position starting September 1, 2025.
Applications are due by April 14, 2025.
The program develops postdoctoral researchers with skills for interdisciplinary work in clinical and community settings, offering a 2-year appointment (second year contingent on progress).
Eligibility:
- Doctoral degree in a clinical/translational science-related field (e.g., MD, PhD, DO)
- PhDs should be early in their postdoctoral stage (within 2 years of degree)
- US citizens or permanent residents
- Applicants should disclose other funding plans
Research Areas:
- Any clinical/translational research project
- Health equity-focused projects are encouraged
Program Benefits:
- Mentorship from experienced faculty
- Customized training activities (grant writing, team science, health equity, etc.)
- NIH-approved stipend, research funds, conference travel, tuition, and childcare support
Please see the RFA for more details regarding the Postdoc Program and the application process. Click here to view a table of currently approved mentors.
Application Process: Submit applications by April 14, 2025, to Lauren Mazzagatti.
For more details, visit T32 Training Program Website.
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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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