January 2020
Issue 2
Letter from the President
As we are starting the new year, it is helpful to take stock of the year that just concluded. It was a good year for the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science (JCTS) with much increased visibility. Both the number of downloads of published articles as well as views of abstracts more than doubled from the previous year and the number of new submissions was higher than for the two previous years combined. Perhaps reflecting some of the areas of emphasis in the translational science area and the CTSA program, the journal has attracted many submissions addressing education and implementation, policy and community engagement. This strong track record has stimulated the concept of upcoming thematic issues focusing on these areas. The CTSA initiative has brought many areas important to translational science to the frontline, and JCTS is a natural forum to highlight advances. The concept of thematic issues has been very fruitful and we hope that these issues will generate interest as they are being published.
As we move forward, we would also like to invite suggestions for other areas that could be highlighted in thematic issues to illustrate the many advances in translational science. Notably, the increasing submission trajectory has resulted in a growing workload for our colleagues who are making critical contributions as reviewers. We very much value and are grateful for their important service contributions, vital to the success of the journal. At this point, we would be grateful to have a dialogue with the clinical and translational community to strengthen this ability and ensure that the journal responds to submitting authors in an expeditious fashion. The upcoming ACTS meeting may offer such opportunities as well. So, looking forward to seeing you all in April.
Lars Berglund, M.D., Ph.D.
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Clinical and Translational Science (JCTS)
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SIG Spotlight: Research Operations and Administration
The Research Operations and Administration Special Interest Group provides a forum to share current approaches to integrate research operations and administration into clinical and translational science programs, including training and education. The group develops and maintains professional networks and online materials to connect the research administration community with clinical and translational scientists, including trainees, translational program principal investigators or directors and clinical research coordinators.
The group's members are experts in the financial and administrative management of large, complex research centers nationally. Administrators are vital points of contact between program leadership, program directors and sponsor personnel. Therefore, they are well-positioned to solve problems and suggest ways to improve programs and enhance collaboration within and across national consortia.
The group promotes best practices for research administration through collaboration, dissemination, education, and outreach. It recently developed best practices for grant and financial management of centers, communication across centers, and peer-to-peer mentorship. The group is interested in collaborating with other special interest groups.
Research administration and operations personnel are welcome to join the Research Operations and Administration Special Interest Group by emailing Nate Hafer at nathaniel.hafer@umassmed.edu. For more information, visit the ACTS website.
Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
Volume 3/ Issue 6 of the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science is available online!
JCTS's mission is to provide a forum for the rapid communication of topics of interest and relevance to the large and diverse community of clinical and translational scientists with the goal of improving the efficiency with which health needs inform research and new diagnostics, therapies, and preventive measures reach the public. The Association for Clinical and Translational Science has partnered with the American Physician Scientists Association (APSA) and the Clinical Research Forum (CRF) to support the growth and development of JCTS.
Submit your article today to be featured in future issues of JCTS! Please also visit the JCTS website for information on our themed issue on Data Science in Clinical and Translational Research.
News from the Hill: January 17, 2020
Lawmakers reconvened in January for the 2nd session of the 116th Congress. In order to set the table for impeachment proceedings, all Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 spending bills were resolved at the end of last year along with critical healthcare policy items. The resolution of the FY 2020 appropriations process was the culmination of year-long advocacy efforts for the community and resulted in sustained ongoing investment in the full spectrum of medical research. Moreover, lawmakers went above and beyond to protect the Clinical and Translational Science Award program and reauthorize the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute. With a budget deal in place and elections looming in November, Congress has already begun preliminary work on the FY 2021 appropriations process.
See the full newsletter on the ACTS Advocacy page.
Translational Science Today
Applications open for translational research training...
Skip to content Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute is accepting applications for its yearlong training program for students interested in learning the fundamentals of translational science. The program works to teach the next ...
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