April 2020

Letter from the JCTS Editor

Thinking Ahead

At this point there is a strong possibility that the coronavirus curve is turning and there is a glimmer of hope. Many of us are struggling with how to best restore the critically important research work done at our institutions without running the risk of the situation getting worse. The suffering of our fellow citizens is a strong reminder that emerging diseases pose a formidable threat to society. We may not be all that distant from earlier times when epidemics like the plague took their heavy tolls or when indigent populations succumbed to unfamiliar diseases like smallpox or measles. We are fortunate this time to have a well trained and dedicated health care workforce that provide an invaluable service and a strong shield to a wide swath of society. The uneven burden of disease throughout society remains a stark reminder of existing disparities and addressing such health disparities is a strong focus of research among translational scientists. In addition, the translational workforce has quickly stepped up to the plate to test COVID interventions as well as working intensely to develop prevention tools like vaccines. I would like to remind everyone that the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science (JCTS) now offers the opportunity for authors to submit papers related to COVID-19 with a quick turnaround. I am grateful to the Editorial Board members who have committed to a rapid review and to Cambridge University Press who have waived the publication fee for such submissions. Contributions are encouraged!

Many of us had the opportunity to attend the recent virtual Translational Science 2020 (TS20) meeting and it reinforces the vibrant community pursuing translational research. This was underscored in the eloquent message from the AAMC President Dr. Skorton articulating the key importance of translational science for not only addressing the acute COVID situation but to prepare us for future pandemics that may emerge. The Translational Science meeting was on track to gather a record number of attendees this year and we now look forward with confidence to coming years when we hopefully will be able to meet up in person. In the coming year, JCTS will have a number of thematic issues, and two of these are planned for 2020, Implementation Science and Rural Health. I want to thank all authors who have contributed and members of the Editorial Board and external reviewers who made this possible. We are grateful to everyone who volunteers their time to review JCTS manuscripts and will add a recognition of our reviewers to our web site in the coming months. We remain interested in additional themes so please send suggestions to our office at jcts@cambridge.org. I wish everyone a safe time as we start planning for a gradual return of activities and as always, consider JCTS for your future submissions.

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

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

Translational Science 2020

Thanks for Attending!

Translational Science 2020 took place virtually April 15-16, 2020.

Thank you to everyone that attended and shared! Session recordings from the virtual event will be available soon. With these recordings, you will be able to revisit your favorite programming or refresh your knowledge on a variety of presented topics.

Translational Science 2021 will be returning to the Washington Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. on March 30 - April 2, 2021. We hope to see you there!

SIG Spotlight: Research Eduction Professioanls

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are designed to enhance involvement in the Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS), to expand personal career networks, and offer opportunities to identify new trends and topics in areas of interest to SIG members. 

The Research Education Professionals (REP) SIG provides members with a valuable avenue for sharing best practices and expertise in the administrative, recruitment, tracking and reporting activities of NIH-funded programs. Innovative curriculum approaches in new curricular domains (e.g. team science, mentoring, leadership and communication) as well as networking with other education administrators, accessing shared resources such as those found on the DIAMOND Portal and CLIC website, and mentorship in navigating NIH grant reporting and requirements are also important activities. Members in the SIG include non-faculty education and career development administrators, coordinators and staff of training programs with an emphasis in clinical and translational science, but not limited to other types of training programs.

The group’s members represent a long history of managing training programs and are well-positioned to address questions and suggest options that assist new program staff with managing an education program.  The group is interested in collaborating with the Evaluation SIG as most of the REP efforts involve tracking and reporting data on learners and their outcomes. Understanding the “why” assists with developing efficient and effective methods resulting in accurate data.

Research education professionals are welcome to join the Research Education Professionals Special Interest Group by emailing O'Keefe, Patrick Healey (pokeefe@childrensnational.org) or Michelle Romanick (mromanick@mail.rockefeller.edu).  

Journal of Clinical and Translational Science

Volume 4 / Issue 2 of the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science is available online!

JCTS's mission is to provide a forum for the rapid communication of topics of interest and relevance to the large and diverse community of clinical and translational scientists with the goal of improving the efficiency with which health needs inform research and new diagnostics, therapies, and preventive measures reach the public. The Association for Clinical and Translational Science has partnered with the American Physician Scientists Association (APSA) and the Clinical Research Forum (CRF) to support the growth and development of JCTS.

Submit your article today to be featured in future issues of JCTS! 

News From the Hill

April 22, 2020

Congress and the administration remain focused on addressing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in a meaningful way. Congress has passed three COVID-19 legislative packages including a combination of emergency supplemental appropriations for medical research and public health programs, access related health policy changes, and economic stimulus measures. As the administration implements enacted legislation, Congress is debating a fourth response package and laying the groundwork for further legislation. 

See the full newsletter on the ACTS Advocacy page.

Translational Science Today

Rutgers University Launches the Nation's Largest Study...

Rutgers University announced today that it has launched the nation's largest prospective study of health care workers exposed to COVID-19. The study includes a series of clinical trials that will explore new drug treatments, antibody testing, and ...

Read more
www.rutgers.edu