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March 2026, Issue 2 | CTSC Newsletter
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Warm spring greetings,
The current landscape of academic research is more demanding than ever. We are navigating a period of unprecedented volatility, where traditional funding streams are increasingly uncertain and federal budgets face significant constraints. However, this environment also presents a clear directive: we can no longer afford to work in silos.
Our resilience as a research community depends on our ability to collaborate across CWRU departments and schools. By combining our unique strengths and expertise into truly integrated, multidisciplinary teams, we not only bridge funding gaps, we create the innovative, large-scale frameworks needed to secure major grants and drive meaningful global impact.
The CTSC of Northern Ohio exemplifies this approach as a highly effective collaborative spanning three medical schools and multiple health systems. We have seen firsthand that collaboration is key to success, making us stronger and more competitive as a collective.
Together, we are more than individual researchers, we are a powerhouse of collaborative innovation. I encourage you to connect with us and reach out for support with your research needs.
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Funding Opportunity: POCTRN Innovation Awards:The Point of Care Technology Research Network (POCTRN) has announced six Innovation Award opportunities to support the development of point‑of‑care technologies addressing chronic disease, infectious disease and disease prevention. Priority areas include cancer detection; heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders; sexually transmitted infections; and emerging infectious diseases, particularly in low‑resource settings. Awards of up to $150,000 are available, along with up to 12 months of in‑kind support to help advance technologies toward real‑world use. Investigators interested in applying are encouraged to contact Dr. Umut Gurkan, CTSC Commercialization Expert, for questions or strategic guidance.
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Mind and Body Interventions to Restore Whole Person Health via Emotional Well-Being Mechanisms (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required): The purpose of this NOFO is to support rigorous, well-powered mechanistic clinical trials examining how mind and body interventions (e.g., mindfulness meditation, yoga, acupuncture, massage) influence innovative mechanisms of emotional well-being (EWB) and their associations with whole person health. Studies must evaluate EWB mechanisms as the primary outcome and include the Whole Person Health Index as a secondary outcome to advance understanding of health restoration across the lifespan.
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Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research: The purpose of this NOFO is to support research projects that examine the ethical, legal, and social implications of advances in human genetic and genomic research. Applications may use single or mixed methods, including empirical qualitative and quantitative approaches, as well as conceptual, legal, and normative analyses.
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UH Health Services Research Center Awards Career Advancement Grants
Congratulations to current CTSC ATLAS cohort participant Joseph Kohne, MD, MSc for receiving a 2025 Career Advancement Grant from the University Hospitals Health Services Research Center, highlighting his leadership in health services research. Dr. Kohne will use the award to improve care pathways for children with lower respiratory tract infections using real‑world electronic health record data and a multi-institutional research-ready data infrastructure.
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Team‑Based Statewide Initiative Improves Blood Pressure Control
Shari D. Bolen, MD, MPH, CTSC Community Engaged Research Co‑Lead, is a co‑principal investigator on a Journal of General Internal Medicine study showing that a statewide, team‑based approach can improve blood pressure control, especially for underserved patients. The Heart Healthy Ohio Initiative supported 48 primary care clinics with coaching, data feedback and peer learning, leading to meaningful gains in hypertension control and demonstrating a scalable model for reducing cardiovascular disparities.
Learn more about the Heart Healthy Ohio Initiative and its impact on blood pressure control
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Exploring XR at the CTSC Insight Summit
We are excited to spotlight the Interactive Commons (IC) and CWRUXR (pronounced “Cruiser”) at the CTSC Insight Summit on May 20, 2026, where attendees will have the opportunity to demo CWRUXR alongside our exhibitor tables and experience how extended reality (XR) technologies are enhancing research and education. Established in 2013, The Interactive Commons at Case Western Reserve University is an innovation institute dedicated to connecting individuals within and beyond campus through advanced technology and visualization. Through CWRUXR, students, faculty, and investigators can leverage XR devices to support innovative research, collaboration, and learning. Learn more about the Interactive Commons and CWRUXR.
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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
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CTSC Scientific Editing Open Office Hours
*no registration needed*
Moderator: Roberto Alers-Velazquez, PhD
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CTSC Science Cafe:
"Commercialization and Impact"
Speaker: Umut Gurkan, PhD
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CTSC Big Data Open Office Hours
*no registration needed*
Moderators: Craig Jarrett, MD & Ashley Hughes, PhD
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Healthcare Delivery & Implementation
Science Center Speaker Series:
"Patient and Stakeholder Engagement in Implementation Research"
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CWRU Spring Master's Poster Symposium & Activities Fair
Event Details
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CTSC Distinguished Speaker Series:
"Food Insecurity and Chronic Disease Outcomes: Mechanisms, Pathways, and Interventions"
Event Details | CME Available
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CTSC Webinar: NIH Common Forms Review
Speaker: Sue Marasco, PhD
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CTSC Welcomes New Integrative Health Research Lead
Congratulations to our new CTSC Integrative Health Research lead, Dr. Samuel Rodgers-Melnick. An experienced health services researcher and Clinical Senior Instructor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Dr. Rodgers-Melnick brings over a decade of expertise in integrative health and medicine research. Through the CTSC, he offers consultation to support study design, intervention development, outcome selection, and clinical partnerships.
Investigators can connect with him by submitting an Integrative Health Research Consultation SPARCRequest.
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Call for Manuscripts: AI in Clinical and Translational Science
The Journal of Clinical and Translational Science (JCTS) is seeking manuscripts for a new thematic issue, "Artificial Intelligence in Action: Tested and Proven Approaches to Transforming Clinical and Translational Science." The issue will highlight rigorous studies that measure how AI is advancing clinical and translational research and transforming the broader clinical and translational science enterprise. Submissions for the thematic issue are being accepted until July 16, 2026.
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Explore GARD: A Trusted Resource for Rare Disease Information
The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) is a free public health resource dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by rare diseases. Through GARD, users can search a comprehensive database covering thousands of rare conditions, find disease experts, clinical studies, and trusted resources, and connect with other patients and families to build a supportive community. GARD also offers personalized assistance from trained information specialists to help answer questions and navigate next steps.
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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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