January 2026
Issue 1
Letter from the President
There’s something energizing about stepping into January with fresh ideas, renewed curiosity, and a community committed to turning scientific insights into real‑world impact. That sense of momentum is only amplified as we look ahead to Translational Science 2026. This year’s annual ACTS meeting will feature dynamic gatherings of our Special Interest Groups, engaging poster sessions, and new programming designed specifically for mid‑career faculty.
I’m also proud that ACTS will recognize distinguished contributors to both the field of translational science and to our organization through the Fellows of ACTS (FACTS) program. This Fellowship honors individuals whose dedication, creativity, and persistence strengthen our community. Many of these contributors have been regularly contributing to the organization by building collaborations, mentoring emerging scientists, and advancing initiatives that make ACTS a vibrant, forward‑looking organization.
Celebrating their achievements highlights the values that define ACTS: service, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to transforming scientific discovery into meaningful impact. Acknowledging their contributions not only expresses our gratitude but also inspires others to step forward and help shape the future of the field.
Allan Brasier, MD
ACTS President
ACTS Updates
Translational Science 2026 Program Now Live
The Translational Science 2026 scientific program is now available to view online! Our program includes a full schedule of events, with detailed descriptions and a complete roster of presenters for each session. Start planning ahead by previewing all of the educational and networking opportunities we have planned.
Translational Science 2026 will be held in Milwaukee, WI from April 20-23, 2026. Registration is open, with early bird rates available until Tuesday, February 10!
Call for Nominations: TIER SIG Leadership Team
The Translational & Integrative Engagement in Research Special Interest Group (TIER SIG) is seeking self-nominations for two open positions on their leadership team, secretary and member-at-large. Both positions are two-year terms. All interested members are encouraged to submit their headshot and a brief bullet style bio to acts.tier@gmail.com by Saturday, January 31.
Interested in joining TIER or any of our other Special Interest Groups? Visit our website to get started!
Apply for the Team Science Practitioner Digital Badge
Don't forget that you can now apply to earn your Team Science Practitioner Digital Badge! We're excited to have once again teamed up with the Team Science Professionals Special Interest Group (TSP SIG) to roll out this new offering for ACTS members. This new verified credential is being soft-launched using TeamMAPPS as its verified training resource.
Applications for the Team Science Fundamentals Digital Badge have also resumed in a soft-launch phase. Full launches for both digital badges with multiple verified trainings is planned for April 2026. Anyone interested in contributing trainings for the expanded badges can learn more here.
Partner News
News from the Hill
The 119th Congress adjourned in mid-December, concluding its first session. Lawmakers were working to address rising healthcare costs, but after voting down competing partisan proposals in the Senate, no further action was taken. With members of the House under extreme pressure from constituents, a coalition of Democratic and Republican lawmakers sought to extend expiring premium tax credits, ultimately though, the House opted to pass a partisan (and hastily assembled) Republican health plan instead. Before adjourning, the Senate indicated it had no intention of considering the House-passed bill.
"News from the Hill" briefings are generously provided by our advocacy partners from the Health and Medicine Council
Stories from our Members
Yale Researchers Target Hidden Trigger of Kidney Scarring
Nearly one in seven adults in the United States lives with chronic kidney disease, a condition that often advances quietly until serious damage has occurred. While diabetes and high blood pressure are well-known culprits, researchers have long puzzled over why some kidneys fail faster than others.
At Yale, physician-scientist Madhav Menon, MBBS, MD, has been pursuing that question for more than a decade. His latest study, published in Nature Communications with collaborators at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the University at Buffalo, pinpoints a key genetic clue: a common mutation in a gene called Shroom3, carried by roughly 40% of people in the U.S.
New Details on the Role of Fat Transport Molecules in Alzheimer’s Onset
A new study presents robust evidence on the role of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers discovered that LPCs—compounds that transport a variety of healthy fatty acids to the brain—either promote Alzheimer’s or protect against it, depending on a person’s genetics. Researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain at Columbia’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons led the study with collaborators in the Dominican Republic. Their findings are published in the journal Nature Aging.
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Engage with ACTS
Special Interest Groups
ACTS offers its members the opportunity to participate in Special Interest Groups (SIGs) related to the field of clinical research and translational science. SIGs connect individuals who share similar goals and interests, providing a channel to network and participate in knowledge and resource sharing among peers.
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!
Upcoming Events
Translational Science 2026: Building Trustworthy Translation - Rigor, Reproducibility, and Real-World Impact
Baird Center, Milwaukee, WI | April 20-23, 2026