March 2026, Issue 1 | CTSC Newsletter



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Congratulations to the 2026 Themed Pilot Awardees focused on advancing clinical and translational research to improve the health of rural Ohio communities. Aligned with the priorities of the NIH and the NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program, these innovative projects will address barriers to clinical trial participation and strengthen urban–rural collaborations. We applaud this year’s awardees for their commitment to increasing the speed, efficiency, and real-world impact of research across rural settings.

Improving Clinical Trial Participation Using A Data-Driven Approach to Trial Design and Deployment

PI(s): Siran Koroukian-Hajinazarian, PhD; Nicholas Schlitz, PhD; & Weichuan Dong, PhD, MA

Institutional Collaborators: Case Western Reserve University & VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System

Neuroimaging and Behavioral Investigation of Neurotoxicity of Mercury in Adult Ohioans

PI(s): Hong Xie, MD, PhD; Xin Wang, MD, PhD; & Kevin Xu, PhD

Institutional Collaborators: University of Toledo & Case Western Reserve University

Integrating Geomarkers to Improve Precision Healthcare for COPD Patients in Rural Communities

PI(s): Jacqueline Curtis, PhD; Wayne Tsuang, MD, PhD, MHS; & Jin Kim-Mozeleski, PhD

Institutional Collaborators: Case Western Reserve University & Cleveland Clinic

Listening to Rural Voices: Applying Artificial Intelligence to Patient Narratives from Northeast Ohio Counties

PI: Philip Turk, PhD, MS

Co-I: Jennifer Reneker, PhD & Lyn Haselton, PhD

Institutional Collaborators: Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) & County Health Departments

Remote Wearable Monitoring to Inform Parkinson's Disease Care Among Rural Residing Patients

PI(s): Christopher Pulliam, PhD, MS & Aasef Shaikh, MD, PhD

Institutional Collaborators: Case Western Reserve University & University Hospitals

Call for Abstracts:

Abstract submissions are now available for the CTSC Insight Summit happening on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at Case Western Reserve University. Submissions are welcome from investigators, clinicians, trainees, technologists, public health professionals, and community partners, and may feature original research, early‑stage innovations, or real‑world applications of AI in health.

Abstract deadline: Monday, March 9, 2026 | 12:00PM (EST)

Pilot Projects Enhancing Utility and Usage of Common Fund Data Sets (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed): The purpose of this NOFO is to announce the availability of funding to demonstrate and enhance the utility of selected Common Fund (https://commonfund.nih.gov/) data sets, including generating hypotheses and catalyzing discoveries. Award recipients are asked to provide feedback on the utility of the Common Fund data resources.

• Due Date: June 23, 2026 | RFA-RM-26-017

COMING SOON: ELEVATE Model (Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value‑based Approaches Through Evidence): A CMS Innovation Center model offering approximately $100 million in 3‑year cooperative agreements to support up to 30 proposals that promote health and prevent chronic disease among Original Medicare beneficiaries. Supports evidence‑based, whole‑person approaches—including functional and lifestyle medicine interventions not currently covered by Original Medicare—that complement existing medical care. The model will generate new evidence on cost and quality to inform future Medicare coverage and value‑based care strategies focused on nutrition, physical activity, and other lifestyle interventions.

• NOFO Release: Early 2026 | Model Launch: September 1, 2026 | ELEVATE

CTSC Big Data Informatics Open Office Hours

*no registration needed*

Moderators: Craig Jarrett, MD, & Ashley Hughes, PhD

CTSC Scientific Editing Open Office Hours

*no registration needed*

Moderator: Roberto Alers-Velasquez, PhD

CTSC Science Cafe:

Real World Data

Speaker: David Kaelber, MD, PhD & Craig Jarrett, MD

UH Webinar Series:

Emergency Medicine Research Awareness

Event Details

CTSC Distinguished Speaker Series:

Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Bridging the Rural Divide via the Penn State LION Mobile Clinic

Event Details | CME Available

ATLAS Welcomes New Cohort for 2026!

The third ATLAS cohort will begin the program on March 5th, 2026 which will continue through September of this year. This group contains both Associate Professors and Professors from all of the CTSC's partnering institutions. "It is great to see representation from all of our partners and beyond that, such a variety of specialties and research interests." remarked ATLAS Director, McKenzie Ritter.

This program seeks to provide hands-on training to strengthen not only investigators' leadership skills, but also provide concrete team science and collaboration tools that can be taken back to their research teams. Each year, the program features a team project, with the winning team being funded by a CTSC pilot award to continue the work. This provides an opportunity to fund innovative work generated during the course of the program. Congratulations to the 2026 ATLAS cohort and good luck! 

Meet the 2026 ATLAS Cohort Participants

T32 Predoctoral Applications are Open!

Applications are now open for the CTSC T32 Predoctoral Mentored Research Training Program, which provides full‑time research training support for CWRU PhD students pursuing clinical and translational research. The program includes an NIH‑approved stipend, tuition and fees, research support, and travel funds, along with structured training in areas such as team science, community engagement, innovation, and scientific communication.

Applications must be submitted by the trainee’s mentor by March 15, 2026.

Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) Announces Two New Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

ACTS has launched a new Coaching Programs SIG, dedicated to advancing coaching as a strategy to strengthen professional development, team science, and well-being across clinical and translational science. The group will foster collaboration, shared learning, and innovation in coaching programs across CTSAs.

The Regulatory Science SIG has also been reactivated, creating space for members to stay current on evolving policy and regulatory changes while sharing tools, best practices, and resources that align research with equity and real-world impact.

Both of these SIGs are officially accepting new members. Visit the ACTS Tradewing Community to become part of the discussion. Both groups will also host in-person meetings at the upcoming Translational Science 2026 on Monday, April 20, 2026. You can sign up for these meetings as an add-on when completing your registration. 

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