Letter from the JCTS Editor
It is that time of year again, time to be planning for Translational Science 2026. I am looking forward to catching up with old friends and making new connections, and to learning about the wonderful work being done across our community. As I prepare, I am reminded of the reasons why this is my favorite conference of the year.
Translational Science is accessible. Every presentation, every poster, every discussion is designed to be understood and interpreted by the broadest possible audience.
Translational Science is welcoming to the breadth of scientific approaches. From data science to qualitative methods, from clinical research management to empirical bioethics, from trials to discovery, nowhere else is it possible to see such a range of contemporary research practices put to the test.
Translational Science exemplifies excellence as the evidentiary home for clinical and translational science, where discussion and debate about how we generate evidence forms the basis of conversations.
Translational Science is scholarship in service of science, where we ask not only what we can discover, but how we can discover it better, faster, more equitably, and with greater integrity. It is where methods meet meaning.
Translational Science is opportunity – opportunity for trainees to find mentors, for early-stage investigators to find collaborators, and for seasoned leaders to find new ideas that challenge their assumptions. It is where careers are shaped in hallway conversations and where bold ideas are sharpened.
Translational Science is a movement towards vibrant, healthy communities supported by reproducible, trustworthy evidence.
Above all, Translational Science provides energy. It is hard work to solve thorny problems, work with communities, drive new ideas, and navigate complex regulatory and compliance frameworks. The passion and promise of this community is why I keep returning, and the ideas generated in debate are what keep my research program thriving.
In a time when the pace of discovery is accelerating and the pressures on our research ecosystems are real, coming together matters more than ever. Our community has repeatedly demonstrated resilience, creativity, and courage in the face of uncertainty. Gathering at Translational Science is not simply about sharing results; it is about reaffirming our shared commitment to rigorous methods, authentic engagement, and health for all.
I hope you will join me. Bring your best science. Bring your hardest questions. Bring your willingness to listen and to collaborate. Together, we will continue building bridges, breaking barriers, and strengthening the ecosystem that makes clinical and translational research not just possible, but powerful.
Chris Lindsell, PhD
Editor-in-Chief, Journal for Clinical and Translational Science
ACTS Updates
Translational Science 2026: Important Housing Update
ACTS has secured an additional block of rooms for Translational Science 2026 attendees at the Marc Hotel in Milwaukee. This hotel is directly connected to the Hilton, making it equally as convenient to get to our meeting space in the Baird Center (both properties can access the skybridge leading to the south building). Attendees can book rooms in this new block for a rate of $170 per night plus tax. New registrants will see our special Marc Hotel booking link in their registration confirmation email beginning today. If you're an existing registrant wanting to book a room under this block, feel free to contact us at info@actscience.org to receive the link. Please note that limited rooms are still available under our original block at the Hilton. Additional details and full policies for both room blocks can be found on our website.
Translational Science 2026 will be held in Milwaukee, WI from April 20-23, 2026. Registration is open, so start making your plans to join us!
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Meet the Translational Science 2026 Closing Keynote Speaker
ACTS is pleased to have Michelle A. Williams, ScD delivering the closing keynote at Translational Science 2026! Dr. Williams is a renowned epidemiologist, an award-winning educator, and a widely recognized academic leader. Her research places special emphasis in the areas of reproductive, perinatal, pediatric, and molecular epidemiology. Dr. Williams has published more than 550 scientific articles and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2016. In 2020, she was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and recognized by PR Week as one of the top 50 health influencers of the year. Translational Science 2026 attendees will have the opportunity to hear her speak on the morning of Thursday, April 23.
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JCTS Call for Papers: Artificial Intelligence in Action
The Journal of Clinical and Translational Science (JCTS) is seeking manuscripts for a new thematic issue, "Artificial Intelligence in Action: Tested and Proven Approaches to Transforming Clinical and Translational Science." The issue will highlight rigorous studies that measure how AI is advancing clinical and translational research and transforming the broader clinical and translational science enterprise. Accepted manuscript types and additional requirements can be found on the JCTS website. Submissions for the thematic issue are being accepted until July 16, 2026.
Have an exiting idea for a manuscript outside of this issue? Learn how you can submit your research year-round and gain visibility through one of science's fastest growing open access journals!
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Partner News
News from the Hill
February concluded on Capitol Hill with the President providing the annual State of the Union address to Congress. There is a great deal of interest in what the White House’s new priorities and proposals will be for 2026, particularly after Congress rebuked last year’s requests from the administration to de-fund research and reorganize public health agencies.
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"News from the Hill" briefings are generously provided by our advocacy partners from the Health and Medicine Counsel
Stories from our Members
Miller School Unveils AI Platform to Transform Translational Research and Scientific Training
The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine has launched a new artificial intelligence platform designed to change how scientists work with data, design studies and translate research into real‑world impact.
The MIL Agentic Data Scientist (MILADS) platform, developed through a collaboration between the Miller School’s Department of Informatics and Health Data Science, the Media and Innovation Lab and the Center for Translational Sleep and Circadian Sciences, was introduced at the 2025 PRIME Winter Bootcamp, an NIH‑funded national training program supporting early‑career researchers.
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ACTS is seeking new partners to help further our mission of advancing clinical and translational science! View our partnership and sponsorship prospectus for opportunities to promote your brand at Translational Science 2026 and year-round.
Upcoming Events
Baird Center, Milwaukee, WI | April 20-23, 2026