September 2025 | CTSC Newsletter



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Happy Fall!

I am thrilled to announce the success of our third annual Translational Science Week as we celebrated the CTSC's 18th birthday! This week was a fantastic opportunity to advance safety and quality in research through engaging events, insightful discussions, and special announcements. A heartfelt thank you to all the speakers and participants who made this week memorable.

I am also excited to introduce our 2026 Themed Pilot funding opportunity, focusing on "Timely Access to Innovations in Health Outcomes for Rural Ohio." This initiative offers a unique chance for researchers to make a significant impact on rural health. By supporting innovative projects that directly engage rural populations, we aim to generate scalable models that will help advance research and clinical care for all Ohioans.

We look forward to the continued collaboration and advancements these efforts will bring to science and health for everyone!

Now Accepting Applications:

Apply Now! 2026 Themed Pilot funding opportunity for Rural Ohio Health Innovations

The Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative (CTSC) of Northern Ohio requests applications for pilot research funding to enhance and grow CTSC activities in the area of rural health. Faculty from all CTSC partner institutions are eligible, and projects must involve at least two CTSC collaborators. Up to four grants ($25,000–$50,000 each) will be awarded for the funding period April 1, 2026–March 31, 2027.

• Applications Due - December 1, 2025 via InfoReady.

For questions, contact Anna Thornton Matos, MPH

Other Funding Opportunities:

• Support for Early Stage Investigators: NIH Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01) – Supports innovative research projects from early stage investigators proposing a new research direction, with no preliminary data allowed. Offers flexibility for ESIs to pursue high-impact ideas outside their previous work.
• Expiration Date: August 26, 2028 | PAR-25-322

• Support for Early Stage Investigators: NIH Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) – Supports innovative research from early stage investigators pursuing new directions through basic experimental studies involving humans. No preliminary data allowed; applications must include a statement on the change in research direction.
• Expiration Date: August 26, 2028 | PAR-25-323

Advancing Frontiers in the Science of Reproduction: A Multidisciplinary Symposium



"Advancing Frontiers in the Science of Reproduction” is a day-long symposium taking place this Thursday, September 25, 2025 at the MidTown Collaboration Center. This event will bring together researchers, clinicians, and community members to explore innovative research and collaborative approaches in reproductive health. The program features an interactive workshop led by Dr. Peter S. Hovmand, offering practical tools for building effective academic-community partnerships and applying systems thinking to reproductive science.



Please note that registration for the in-person event is now closed; however, you can still register to watch the keynote virtually. CME credits are pending for this event.

I-Corps@NCATS: Life Sciences Innovation Applications Open

The 2025 Cleveland I-Corps@NCATS Program is now accepting applications for its 8-week entrepreneurial training course in life sciences innovation. Open to teams from CTSC partner institutions, the program combines Lean Startup methods and customer discovery to help participants explore the commercial potential of their biomedical technologies. Teams will conduct at least 30 customer interviews and develop a commercialization plan, with eligibility for NSF I-Corps Teams and a $50,000 grant.

For questions, contact Anna Thornton Matos, MPH

View the full 2025 Cleveland I-Corps@NCATS Program RFA

Welcoming Dr. Ian Neeland as CTSC Pilot Program Co-Lead

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Ian J. Neeland, MD, FAHA, FACC, as the new co-lead for the CTSC Pilot Program and Research Program Proposals. With his extensive expertise as Director of the UH Center for Cardiovascular Prevention and Associate Professor at CWRU School of Medicine, Dr. Neeland is an accomplished investigator in obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. He is eager to support early-stage investigators and foster collaborative research. Faculty are encouraged to reach out to him at ian.neeland@uhhospitals.org for more on pilot program resources and opportunities.

Discover more about the CTSC Pilot Programs

FDA Clinical Trial Requirements, Regulations, Compliance and GCP Conference is coming to Cleveland!

This joint FDA and SOCRA conference will address key topics in clinical trial requirements, regulatory compliance, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP). Held November 5–6, 2025 in Cleveland, OH, the event offers up to 13 continuing education credits for physicians and nurses, and features expert-led sessions accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Get more information on the FDA Clinical Trial and GCP Conference

Music Therapy Research Reveals Real-World Clinical Benefits

Congratulations to Samuel Rodgers-Melnick, a CTSC Core Utilization Pilot (CUP) awardee and the CTSC Lead of Integrative Health, on earning his PhD in Clinical and Translational Science from CWRU! His research using large EHR datasets demonstrated the effectiveness of music therapy in reducing pain and opioid use, especially for patients with hematologic or oncologic conditions.

Read about Samuel Rodgers-Melnick's MUSIC PUPS study

Vascular Disease Risk Elevated in IIH Patients

Dr. David Kaelber, CTSC informatics module co-lead, contributed to a large multicenter study that investigated the prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Using data from TriNetX, the study found that IIH patients have significantly higher rates of cerebrovascular disease and essential hypertension—especially at younger ages—compared to both the general population and those with high BMI. These results highlight the importance of early screening for vascular risk factors in IIH patients.

Access the detailed study regarding vascular disease risk in individuals with IIH

KL2 Scholars Spotlight: Reframing Regret for ICU Surrogate Decision-Makers

A new study led by KL2 alumni Grant Pignatiello, Nicholas Schiltz, and Ronald Hickman examines regret among surrogate decision-makers in the ICU. The research reveals that surrogates of deceased patients are much more likely to experience regret after making critical decisions. These insights point to the potential for emotion regulation interventions to support surrogates during one of the most challenging moments in healthcare.

Learn more about KL2 scholars’ findings on ICU surrogate regret

Genetic Clusters Reveal New Predictors for Post-Surgical Epilepsy Outcomes



CTSC Health Informatics co-lead at the Cleveland Clinic, Lara Jehi along with K12 scholars Daniel Rotroff and Robyn Busch, have identified molecular subtypes of epilepsy linked to seizure recurrence after surgery. By analyzing messenger RNA and microRNA from blood and brain tissue, they found three genetic clusters—A1, B4, and C2—that predict post-operative risk. Some subtypes are detectable in blood before surgery, highlighting the potential for biomarker-based prediction and more personalized care for epilepsy patients.

Read the full article on genetic biomarkers predicting seizure recurrence after epilepsy surgery

CTSC Partner Event

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | 4:00PM - 5:00PM | Wolstein Auditorium

Starting Your Startup – The Essential Step

Join us for Starting Your Startup – The Essential Steps, a practical discussion on launching a startup and moving your idea forward. Hear from Howard Bobrow, chair of Taft Law’s Venture Capital and Emerging Companies practice, and Christine Burke from CWRU’s Technology Transfer office, as they share insights and answer your questions. This event is designed specifically for graduate students, faculty, postdocs, and researchers. Enjoy pizza and pop while learning the essential steps to turn your idea into a reality!

CTSC Event

Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 11:00AM - 12:00PM | Virtual via Zoom

Scientific Editing Open Office Hours

Join CTSC Scientific Editor, Roberto Alers-Velazquez, PhD for Open Office Hours every Thursday. No registration necessary, topics include: writing letters of support, budget justification, manuscript development, and more. Sessions are meant to be relaxed and conversational, explore what kind of support the CTSC can offer!

CTSC Partner Event

Saturday, September 27, 2025 | 7:00AM - 4:30PM | Huntington Convention Center

Men's Full-Life Fitness Summit 2025

This free, daylong event is dedicated to empowering men and allies to thrive in health, wellness, relationships, career, and community. Enjoy inspiring keynote speakers, expert-led workshops, free health screenings, and an Exhibit Hall featuring 70+ organizations. Whether you’re seeking personal growth or looking to support men’s well-being, this summit offers practical tools, resources, and connections for every dimension of life.

CTSC Event

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM | Virtual Via Zoom

Big Data Informatics Series Office Hours

Are you using Epic Cosmos or TriNetX for research? Join the Big Data Open Office Hours for expert guidance. Bring your research ideas or questions, get help with queries, data downloads, or choosing the right platform for your project. No registration required!

CTSC Event

Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM | Virtual Via Zoom

CTSC Science Cafe: Decoding the Rhythm: Understanding Cardiac Arrhythmias

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Larisa Tereshchenko, MD, PhD, Joint Appointment in Cardiovascular Medicine at the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, as this month’s CTSC Science Café speaker. She will share new insights into cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest—exploring how disruptions in the heart’s electrical activity lead to dangerous events, and how simple tools like the ECG can reveal biomarkers to predict risk and improve cardiovascular care.

CTSC Event

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 | 11:00AM - 12:00PM | Virtual Via Zoom

CTSC Spotlight Series: Using Data in NIH Proposals

Dr. Sheri Johnson, PhD, from County Health Rankings, will share strategies for leveraging data in NIH proposals. This webinar will examine how power dynamics and broader social, political, and economic systems shape population health, and demonstrate how applying a social and structural determinants framework can strengthen population health research.

CTSC Partner Event

Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 8:00AM - 4:30PM | Tinkham Veale University Center, CWRU

CWRU School of Medicine Graduate and Medical Student Research Day

Join us on for the Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine Graduate and Medical Student Research Day. Highlights include a keynote address by Dr. Sua Myong, Professor at Boston Children’s Hospital, on “FUS Granule Assembly Mechanism,” plus posters, presentations, and awards.

CTSC Event

Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 8:00AM - 5:00PM | MCC

Second Annual Epic Cosmos Datathon

Join the CTSC of Northern Ohio for the second multi-institutional Epic Cosmos Datathon, held at the MidTown Collaboration Center. Over the course of the day, teams will harness their skills, tackle challenges, and transform concepts into tangible results. The event culminates in a dynamic presentation session, where each group shares their findings and insights with everyone.

CTSC Event

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM | Virtual via Zoom

CTSC Distinguished Speaker Series - The Role of Community Connections in Advancing Translational Science: Notes from the Field

Join us as we welcome Doriane Miller, MD Professor of Medicine and Director at the Center for Community Health & Vitality from the University of Chicago Medicine. Her sesssion will highlight the vital role of community engagement in advancing translational science and showcase models that demonstrate how meaningful partnerships can strengthen research and its impact. CME credits are pending for this event.

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