April 2022

Letter From the JCTS Editor: Coming Together

It was very rewarding to finally be able to meet in person at the recently concluded ACTS Translational Science meeting. The opportunity to meet face to face was a long time in coming and it was quite amazing to note how quickly COVID now has turned into more of a background phenomenon. As we all recognize, the pandemic may yet return in some fashion in coming months or years but we are now at least more capable in dealing with any future outbreaks. The meeting was well attended and offered a broad spectrum of engaging speakers and presentations. The introductory plenary lecture gave an interesting perspective on the challenges for the CDC and state organizations in navigating situations with a limited and fluid knowledge base and the need at the same time to provide advice and regulations to an increasingly concerned public. I think we all came away with an appreciation of the many difficult choices and decisions facing our colleagues in these positions. Following this informative opening, the agenda gave everyone an opportunity to listen to the many research advances by the ACTS membership. Speaking for many, I want to thank the organizing committee led by Dr. Linda Cottler for putting together a superb meeting agenda that reflected the broad ACTS research spectrum. In addition to the presentations, the meeting gave a welcome opportunity to make new contacts and to see old friends. We hope that the successful outcome of the meeting will serve as an indication of future meetings to come and the dates for the TS23 meeting are already set, one year from now. 

We have now completed a third of the year and JCTS is receiving a robust number of submissions. The second thematic issue for 2022, focusing on Educational Innovations for Teaching Clinical and Translational Science, is now complete and available on the JCTS website. The issue consists of 14 publications and is framed by an introductory editorial. I want to deeply thank the organizing group, Janice Gabrilove, Emma Meagher, Cecilia Patino-Sutton and Vicki Ellingrod, for putting together an excellent issue that provides insights into a rapidly evolving area. There are three ongoing thematic issues (Health and Social Drivers in the Criminal Justice System, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Clinical and Translational Science, and Adaptive Capacity and Preparedness (AC&P) in Clinical and Translational Science ) and we encourage interested colleagues to consider these opportunities. Beyond the thematic issues, I want to underscore that we are very interested in receiving manuscripts representing every area of clinical and translational research. Given the increasing number of submissions, our editorial board members and reviewers are very aware of the need to respond in a timely fashion. I am pleased to note that in spite of a 50% increase in submissions over the past two years, the timeline for responding to authors have remained the same. We will continue to strive to remain responsive as well as to provide helpful and high quality reviews.

In the March letter I commented on the grave situation in Ukraine. It is easy to get numb and perhaps “used” to seeing devastated communities and cities and to witness the horrors facing citizens who only want to continue their ordinary life. As a European, although from a country spared the destruction of World War 2, it is nevertheless easy to see parallels and we should not forget how quickly things (and lives) can be lost. The people of Ukraine deserve our firm support and we should be grateful to citizens, organizations and nations throughout the world who provide humanitarian support to help the many refugees and victims. 

Lars Berglund, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA

Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Clinical and Translational Science (JCTS)

Translational Science 2022: Thank You For Attending!

Translational Science 2022 took place April 20-22 in Chicago, Illinois and virtually.

This year's event was full of great networking, educational sessions, and opportunities to present new and exciting research. Thank you to everyone that attended and shared and we look forward to seeing you next year April April 19-21 in Washington, DC for Translational Science 2023!

Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program

The National Institutes of Health, in partnership with the Lasker Foundation, is pleased to announce the 2022-23 Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program. The program supports clinical researchers in the early stages of their careers, to promote their development to fully independent positions. Lasker Scholars are appointed as independent, tenure-track level investigators in the NIH Intramural Research Program for 5 years, followed by 3 years of funding at an extramural research  institution (up to $500,000 direct costs per year) or continued appointment in the intramural program.  Candidates must have a clinical doctoral degree and a professional license to practice in the United States, and cannot already have obtained tenure at a research institution. The application deadline is June 24, 2022.

More information can be obtained at the Lasker Scholar website, or by contacting Dr. Chuck Dearolf at  LaskerScholar@nih.gov.

News From the Hill: April 25, 2022

Congress returned from its spring recess at the end of April with several critical budget and appropriations items to address. Pending currently is $10 billion is supplemental funding for the ongoing response to COVID-19. The Biden-Harris administration also releases its budget request for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. With the FY 2022 appropriations bills being completed in March after a six-month delay, Congress is now working swiftly to digest the administration’s request and advance the FY 2023 appropriations process. 

Read more on the ACTS Advocacy page.

Career Center

The ACTS Career Center is the premier resource for connecting those in the field of translational science with career opportunities. Visit today to find a wealth of resources to help achieve your career goals.

ACTS members receive a 50% discount on the site—use code ACTSMEMBER to save!

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Member Highlights

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for outstanding or groundbreaking work? Is your institution embarking on an exciting project? Send ACTS your story to be highlighted in future versions of ACTS Connection.

Submit stories here.

Translational Science Today

New tools to train next generation of UB researchers
Research News By CHRISTOPHER SCHOBERT Training and fostering the next generation of UB researchers is a key contributor to the UB Clinical and Translational Science Institute's (CTSI) vision of improving health and reducing health disparities in...
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