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November 2025, Issue 1 | CTSC Newsletter
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| | Click on the images below to be directed to more information: | | 2026 Themed Pilot: Health Innovations for Rural Ohio | | |
Faculty from all CTSC partner institutions are invited to apply for the 2026 Themed Pilot, which supports rural health research, including healthcare delivery, access, point-of-care innovations, mobile diagnostics, wearables, AI tools, and implementation science. These awards are ideal for those seeking preliminary data, feasibility studies, or opportunities to translate and scale evidence-based interventions in rural communities. Up to four awards ($25,000–$50,000 each) are available.
Applications Due: December 1, 2025
Read the full RFA for the 2026 Themed Pilot, or for questions, contact Anna Thornton Matos, MPH
| | Other Funding Opportunities: |
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Clinical Trial Readiness for Rare Diseases: (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) – Supports exploratory research to advance clinical trial readiness for rare diseases through biomarker or clinical outcome validation, and disease characterization. Backed by NCATS and NICHD, this 2-year grant ($275,000 direct costs; max $200,000/year) aims to accelerate progress toward trials for promising therapeutics or diagnostics. Open to academic, nonprofit, for-profit, government, and tribal organizations.
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CTSC Spotlight Series:
'Measuring Impact with the Translational Science Benefits Model'
Speaker: Clara Pelfrey, PhD
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CTSC Science Cafe:
New Innovative Methods for Clinical Trials
Speaker: Abdus Sattar, PhD
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CTSC Scientific Writing Open Office Hours:
Speaker: Roberto Alers-Velazquez, PhD
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CTSC Distinguished Speaker Series:
'Research with Electronic Health Records: Promise, Opportunities, and Pitfalls'
Speaker: Emily Pfaff, PhD
*CME Available
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Informatics Open Office Hours
Moderators: Drs. Hughes and Jarrett
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University of Toledo
AI in Healthcare Symposium
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Cardi-OH Webinar: Think Well, Live Well:
Brain Health Through a Holistic Lens
Speaker: Dr. Robert B. Saper, MPH
| | Save the Date: Coming in 2026 | | | | |
Call for 4x4 Presentations:
Rural Health
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International Network on Health and Hepatitis
in Substance Users
Hepatitis C Intervention Symposium
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CTSC Health Research Outcomes
and Engagement Symposium
Theme:
Innovating Health Outcomes:
AI-Driven Research for Chronic Diseases
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Technical Assistance Session for Embedded Scholars Program
Researchers interested in building meaningful collaborations with community partners are invited to apply for the inaugural Embedded Scholars program cohort. To learn more, join our informational TA Session on Wednesday, November 5th at 12PM. This unique opportunity offers 10% effort funding for researchers and a $9,000 stipend for community partners, supporting genuine two-way partnerships with dedicated time, space, and compensation. Visit our website for additional details and full application.
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Updates from Community Engaged Research Module
Do you have a research idea that you think could benefit from a community partner, community feedback or community-based strategy? Are you looking for ways to set up community advisory boards, hold focus groups or connect with a community organization? The CTSC CER module offers both a Consult Service and Community Engagement Studios that help incorporate community perspectives and methods into research. Pilot applications are just around the corner and engaging with community is a great way to enhance your research project idea!
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Protecting the Future of Tobacco Health Science
Guided by CTSC of Northern Ohio leadership and commitment to improving public health, Erika S. Trapl—T32 predoctoral program lead—and Jin E. Kim-Mozeleski, ATLAS Cohort 2 participant, have contributed to the recent Oxford Academic commentary, “Act Now to Save Science: The Importance of Tobacco Health Disparities Research.” They join colleagues in urging the research community to protect and advance tobacco disparities research, particularly as recent policy changes threaten progress and interventions for marginalized communities. Their collaborative advocacy exemplifies how CTSC-affiliated researchers are championing rigorous, community-centered solutions to pressing public health issues.
Read how CTSC researchers champion tobacco health research
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Celebrating Jeffrey Sunshine: Notable Leader in Healthcare Technology
Jeffrey Sunshine, the CTSC's Informatics University Hospitals co-lead, was named a Notable Leader in Healthcare Technology by Crain’s Cleveland Business for 2025. As Vice President and Chief Medical Information Officer at University Hospitals, Dr. Sunshine leads integrated care efforts for thousands of caregivers and is recognized nationwide for advancing technology to improve patient outcomes. He played a key role in the adoption of the Epic electronic health record system at UH, streamlining patient access and caregiver workflows. Dr. Sunshine is also a multiple award-winning practitioner and a fellow at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Read more about Jeffrey Sunshine’s recognition as a Notable Leader in Healthcare Technology (Subscription required)
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TriNetX Launch Accelerates Research and Collaboration at UToledo
TriNetX officially launched at the University of Toledo in August 2025, expanding clinical research capabilities as part of the institution’s involvement in the Case Western Reserve University CTSC NIH award. Now available to all College of Medicine & Life Sciences faculty and trainees, access requires completion of onboarding modules, video training (with at least 70% competency), and project approval by faculty. The rollout included a workshop in September and ongoing support via Blackboard. Since launch, 27 faculty, 3 fellows, 8 residents, 36 students, and 2 staff have enrolled, the rapid adoption of TriNetX and its positive impact on research and collaboration within UToledo’s College of Medicine and Life Sciences.
To further support users, the CTSC will host a Big Data Webinar, "TriNetX Advanced" on December 17th.
For more information on TriNetX and CTSC Informatics
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Multisite Research Planning Consultations
The CTSC of Northern Ohio offers Multisite Research Planning Consultations to support collaboration across partner institutions and improve the efficiency of multi-center research at any stage. Through a one-hour consultation and follow-up meetings, their team can assist with team charter and communication planning, regulatory strategy and compliance, recruitment planning, needs and site feasibility assessment, navigating Reliant IRB Review, resource use planning at the CTSC and institutional level, and incorporating decentralized study features like e-consent, wearable technology, and telehealth.
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Accelerate Your Research with Resource Utilization Studios
Resource Utilization Studios offer dynamic, customized roundtables to help researchers problem-solve, plan, and maximize CTSC-wide resources. These collaborative sessions bring together expert investigators and administrators to provide focused support. Held virtually for convenience, studios include PI-led presentations, group discussions, and comprehensive follow-up with actionable feedback and recommendations. Topics can be tailored to your needs and may include hypothesis generation, study design, grant proposal development, method optimization, rare disease outreach, recruitment, and data analysis.
| | Click on the images below to be directed to more information from the CTSC and our colleagues: | | | |
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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