October 2026
Issue 1
Letter from the President
Dear ACTS Members,
Many thanks to all who submitted proposals for Translational Science (Washington, DC, April 20-23, 2027) – we received a record number of submissions! The next stage of preparation for Translational Science is the poster abstract submissions, which are due Monday, October 19 (Submit Here). While we always receive a number of posters from trainees and scholars, this is also an opportunity to share information between institutions, labs, and special interest groups.
As you know, our first class of Fellows of ACTS were inducted last spring. Nominations for the next class are due Thursday, November 12 (Submit Here). Please consider carefully individuals’ contributions to both the field of translational science and to the society as you prepare materials.
In translational community,
Felicity T. Enders, PhD, MPH
ACTS Updates
Translational Science 2027 Poster Proposals Close Monday, October 19
Last call to submit your poster proposals for Translational Science 2027! The call for poster abstracts will close on Monday, October 19 at 11:59 PM CT. If you have groundbreaking research or projects that need to be shared with the rest of the translational science community, then don't wait much longer. Visit our website for submission instructions and a full list of accepted topics.
Translational Science 2027 will be held in Washington, DC from April 20-23, 2027. The time to register is closer than you think. Start making your plans today!
FACTS Nominations Open through November 12
Nominations for the next cohort of Fellows of ACTS (FACTS) is now open. FACTS is a premier tier of membership to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to ACTS and the field of translational science across their careers. At a special ceremony during Translational Science 2026, we proudly honored 36 individuals with the FACTS designation, and we're excited to introduce a brand new group of Fellows at Translational Science 2027.
The FACTS nomination portal will be open until Thursday, November 12. Full details about the nominations process can be found on the FACTS page of our website. New FACTS recipients will be notified in early 2027.
New Digital Badges Now Available
ACTS is happy to launch two brand new pathways in its Digital Badging Program! The Community-Engaged Research Pathway, developed in partnership with the ACTS PACER SIG, and the Quantitative Team Science Pathway, developed with the help of the ACTS BERD SIG members. The Foundation badges for both of these pathways are available to apply for now so you can take the next step in your translational science career.
ACTS members can apply for any of our digital badges for free. Full earning criteria for each badge is available on our Credly page.
Introducing the ACTS Online Shop
The ACTS Online Store is now live! Now you can sport your membership with customizable shirts, hats, jackets, drinkware, and more. Items with the FACTS logo are also available. Head to the store now to see all our selections!
Stories from our Members
Researchers Develop Urine Test to Help Identify High-Risk Pregnancies Earlier
Prenatal care plays a critical role in supporting the health of both mother and baby. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) are developing a simple, noninvasive urine test that may help identify pregnancies at risk for serious complications before symptoms appear. Earlier detection could allow health care providers to monitor patients more closely and intervene sooner. The work, published in Reproductive Sciences, is supported by NCATS’ Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program and NIH’s RADx® Radical (RADx-rad) initiative, as well as the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Sherin U. Devaskar, M.D., Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, said the study was inspired by the lasting effects of pregnancy complications on both mothers and their children. Pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes (a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy) and preeclampsia (a condition characterized by high blood pressure and signs of organ damage), can increase long-term health risks for both mother and child.
Want to see your institution's stories featured in this section? Fill out our story submission form to share your recent articles!
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
We're excited to announce a quality of use upgrade for the ACTS Career Center! We have added a dual single sign on option for our Career Center. Your current membership login credentials now allow you to log directly into our Career Center. Try it out here.
Don't forget ACTS members get a 50% discount on job postings - just use code ACTSMEMBER to save!