Letter from the President
As Translational Science 2026 approaches, I’m delighted to share that we now have over 950 registrants and are on track to welcome more than 1,100 attendees, setting the stage for a truly vibrant and well‑attended meeting. This year brings an exciting slate of new special interest groups, expanded career development workshops, and the transition to welcome our incoming board members. I’m especially thrilled that we will be honoring the inaugural Fellows of ACTS (FACTS) cohort. FACTS represents a premier recognition program celebrating individuals who have made exceptional contributions and provided distinguished service to the clinical and translational science community. The selection process for this first class was both rigorous and highly competitive, with 36 Fellows chosen from among nearly 6,000 ACTS members. Congratulations to the FACTS recipients! Look forward to seeing you at the TS26 meeting!
Allan Brasier, MD
ACTS President
ACTS Updates
Meet the Translational Science 2026 Opening Keynote Speaker
ACTS is happy to welcome Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS to Translational Science 2026 to deliver the opening keynote address! Dr. Bibbins-Domingo is the 17th Editor-in-Chief of the Journal for the American Medical Association. She is the Lee Goldman, MD Professor of Medicine and Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco. She previously served on and led the US Preventive Services Task Force from 2010-2017. She has received numerous honors, including induction into the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Translational Science 2026 will have the opportunity to learn from Dr. Bibbins-Domingo on the morning of Tuesday, April 21.
Translational Science 2026 will be held in Milwaukee, WI from April 20-23, 2026. There's still time to register and secure a hotel room from one of our two blocks. Don't forget to visit our online program to start planning ahead!
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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
Join the Alzheimer's Association's 6th Connectional Purple Sunday
The Alzheimer's Association invites you to take part in the 6th Annual Connectional Purple Sunday on March 15 at 4:00 PM ET. During this virtual event, individuals living with dementia will share how they are navigating life after diagnosis. Participants will also learn about the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, a voluntary nationwide initiative testing the impact of providing comprehensive services and supports for people living with dementia and their caregivers. The program will also feature a caregiver perspective and updates on the latest Alzheimer’s and dementia research. Sign up today!
Register
Stories from our Members
New compound stops common complications after intestinal surgery
When parts of the small intestine are diseased or die, the treatment can involve surgically removing the affected tissue. Although lifesaving, the procedure — referred to as a radical small bowel resection — can lead to long-term liver damage and even failure, requiring a liver transplant. There are no medications to prevent or manage this serious complication that’s been reported to affect up to 15% of patients after small bowel resection.
Now, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have synthesized and tested a new compound in mice that shows promise in protecting the liver from damage and improving nutrient absorption after small bowel resection. They also found that the drug works only on the gastrointestinal tract, helping to avoid side effects in other parts of the body.
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SC CTSI-funded Research is Closing the Hepatitis C Treatment Gap in Los Angeles
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant cause of liver disease, yet many people who are infected remain asymptomatic for years. While effective treatments can cure the infection, fewer than one in three diagnosed patients in Los Angeles County complete their care.
Project HCV Connect is targeting the problem by training University of Southern California (USC) healthcare students as caseworkers. These students reach out to infected individuals and connect or reconnect them with healthcare providers.
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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
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!
Upcoming Events
Online | March 15, 2026
Baird Center, Milwaukee, WI | April 20-23, 2026
*Promoted event; Not hosted by ACTS