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Dear Faisal,
As we enter the new year, we are delighted to update you on the pioneering precision medicine research that the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine (CIAPM) network is advancing.
In this newsletter, we remind our network of our upcoming attendance at the Precision Medicine World Conference, February 5-7 in Santa Clara, CA, as well as provide updates on our staff, including new roles for current CIAPM team-members, additions to the CIAPM team, and say farewell to our policy fellow, Dr. Hanna Butler-Struben.
Additionally, we reflect on recent site visits with investigators in the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Research Program. We also spotlight the work of a community researcher for the Loma Linda University ACEs Research Program, Destiny Villasenor, and announce a date for the first meeting in 2025 of the California Precision Medicine Advisory Council.
Finally, we recognize that a number within our own CIAPM research community have been, or know connections, who were impacted by the wildfires in Southern California this month. The California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) has been working diligently to provide relief and continuity of health services and recently published a resource guide addressing various services implemented by our agency.
Regards,
The CIAPM Team
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Precision Medicine World Conference (PMWC) - Connect With Us!!!
CIAPM is returning to PMWC from February 5-7, 2025 at the Santa Clara Convention Center!
Please stop by Booth #C834 all three days of the conference to learn more about the initiative, meet members of our staff, and learn about state-supported efforts in precision medicine and representative research!
We will be attending keynotes and panels from the following members of our CIAPM community at the conference:
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Dr. Keith Yamamoto (Fireside Chat - Feb 5, 9:15 - 10 AM; Panel 1-2 PM)
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Dr. Sharat Israni (Panel – Feb 5, 11–12PM)
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Dr. Charles Chiu (Award Ceremony & Keynote – Feb 7, 9 – 9:45 AM; Panel – Feb 7, 11– 12 PM)
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Dr. Yvonne Maldonado (Panel – Feb 7, 9:45 – 10:30 AM)
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Dr. Michael Snyder (Talk – Feb 6, 4 – 4:15 PM; Award Ceremony – Feb 7, 9 - 9:15 AM; Panel – Feb 7, 11:15–12PM)
If you would like to connect with us, please fill out the form in the link below with your contact information!
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As part of CIAPM’s transition to California Health and Human Services, new roles have been established for Dr. David Reiner and Saga Barberis, JD.
David has transitioned from Science Officer to Chief Science Officer of CIAPM, and Saga has transitioned from Program Administrator to Program Officer.
Please join us in congratulating David and Saga!
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Farewell to Policy Fellow Dr. Hanna Butler-Struben | |
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During her year tenure with CIAPM, Dr. Butler-Struben worked with the team on numerous projects, including supporting administration of the Depression RFP, supporting the continued development of the Representative Research Collaborative, leading the administration for the CA Precision Medicine Advisory Council, and co-authoring CIAPM annual reports as well as the forthcoming Cancer Evaluation Report.
Dr. Hanna Butler-Struben defended her Ph.D in Animal Behavior at UC Davis in Summer 2024. During her Ph.D., she also served as the Graduate Student Representative on the UC University Committee on Research Policy (UCORP).
CIAPM thanks Dr. Butler-Struben for her tireless work across the portfolios of our program, and we are indebted for her service!
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Welcome to our New Interns! | |
Suhani Amin
Suhani is a first-year Neuroscience PhD student at the University of Southern California, with an intended study focus on using brain imaging techniques for early diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. She is also actively involved in organizing speaker and networking events through the Professional Development Committee of the Neuroscience Graduate Forum at USC.
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Laura Adame
Laura is a student candidate in the Master in Public Health program at the University of California, Davis. She has a strong passion for advancing health equity and addressing health care disparities, particularly within Spanish-speaking communities.
CIAPM is excited to welcome both of our newest interns!
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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Research Program
Site Visits
CIAPM’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. David Reiner, attended site visits for the Stanford, UCLA, and UCSF ACEs teams in January. During these site visits, teams discussed preliminary data, community partnerships, mentorship and training opportunities, initial takeaways, as well as provided lab and clinic tours.
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An Interview with Destiny Villasenor
CIAPM-Funded Project: A Multi-Component Intervention to Strengthen Families and Build Youth Resilience (Loma Linda University; LLU, Lead Principal Investigator: Dr. Ariane Marie-Mitchell)
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Destiny Villasenor is a strategic Community Health Worker (CHW) and patient advocate at Loma Linda University Medical Center for the Institute of Community Partnerships. With over five years of experience in high-impact program management and patient advocacy, Destiny serves the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE's) Program and ACE's Whole Family Care Hub at LLU, specializing in serving underrepresented families and adolescents who have been affected by toxic stress. | |
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Q: Why are community partnerships important for health research?
“Community accessibility and building rapport/relationships with intervention groups are critical to supporting clinical discovery. Providing general knowledge builds trust and increases participation. This type of systematic investigation analyzes patterns of occurrence, determinants, and intervention with a focus on relationships and mitigating the effects of “toxic stressors.” This research will improve the precise understanding of biological data (analytical evidence), while unearthing solutions that promote personalized preventive services combined with effective therapies. Research of this nature is crucial to improving health outcomes/population health equity, as well as reducing health care costs for society.”
For more of this inspiring interview, read the full interview at the link below.
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California Precision Medicine Advisory Council | |
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February CA Precision Medicine
Advisory Council (CPMAC) Meeting
The California Precision Medicine Advisory Council (CPMAC) last met virtually on December 16, 2024. The next gathering of the CPMAC will be held on February 21st from 10:30AM – 1PM, virtually. Please follow the link below to register for the webinar.
The Agenda and Meeting Minutes from October will be posted on our Meetings webpage ahead of the next meeting.
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CIAPM Network in the News | |
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HRSA - Maternal and Child Health Secondary Data Analysis Research (MCH SDAR)
The purpose of the SDAR program is to support research that analyzes existing national data sets or administrative records to answer questions that can improve the health and well-being of MCH populations, including children and adolescents with Autism/DD.
The closing date to submit applications for this grant program is February 25, 2025.
NIH - Advancing Healthcare for Older Adults from Populations that Experience Health Disparities
The purpose of this initiative is to advance the science and implementation of innovative multi-level health care research for older adults from populations that experience health disparities. The initiative will support research designed to (1) gain a better understanding of appropriate screening, diagnostic, and clinical care guidelines in a primary care setting, (2) explore shared decision-making that is needed to enhance care planning and patient agency between clinicians and care teams with the older adult and their caregiver(s), and (3) identify effective strategies for care coordination.
The applications for this program are open, with rolling submissions through October 5, 2027.
HRSA – Maternal and Child Health: Health Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program
The Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health division is seeking applications for their Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program (HTPCP) to support community-based projects that promote access to preventive, clinical, and public health services for underserved children.
The deadline for this application is March 17, 2025.
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CIN/CHCF Webinar – Advancing Equity in Behavioral Health Through Harnessing Key Change Levers
February 13 | Virtual
The California Improvement Network (CIN), a project of the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), and the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions will be hosting a webinar on the outcomes of their Cultivating Outcomes through Equity in Behavioral Telehealth community collaborative. This webinar is geared towards county agencies, community-based providers, and federally qualified health centers in the specialty behavioral health field.
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American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
February 13-15 | Boston, MA
The 2025 Annual Meeting of the AAAS will lectures, panels, and workshops in both domestic and international science policy, and feature a keynote, a Vision for American Science and Technology about the future of the U.S. science and technology enterprise.
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Precision Medicine Tri-Con
March 11-13 | San Diego, CA
A convening of experts and practitioners from the precision medicine diagnostics community focused on the latest research, technologies, innovation and business models.
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Find more external events on CIAPM's website. | |
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1215 O Street, 11th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Reception Desk: (916) 322-2318
E-Mail: ciapm@chhs.ca.gov
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