October 2023
Issue 1
Letter From the President
Attending the 23rd World Psychiatric Association World Congress of Psychiatry last week made me realize how strong the appetite is for translational science around the world. In Vienna, the Congress included courses on psychopharmacology from the bench to society, transcranial magnetic stimulation, comorbidity, models of etiology and treatment, refugee health, maternal and child health, human rights, and digitalization. Courses were also offered on how to successfully develop publications for peer reviewed medical journals. A major emphasis was on persons with lived experience and the effect of illness on carers (i.e., caregivers) and the effect of climate change on mental health. I thoroughly enjoyed the many sessions, the tracks, and plenaries.
I found myself thinking of all of the similarities of the Congress with our ACTS meeting and the overlapping interests of the members. There were multiple opportunities for fellows and junior investigators including their own symposia, workgroups, and poster sessions. They are goal owners of strategic planning, and they meet separately with the leaders of the Congress. Their voice is heard loudly and clearly throughout the meeting.
I love going to the Congress Meetings and to our ACTS Meetings. They are places to renew friendships with people who were contemporaries of my mentor, who are still active in the field. It is a great place to see my colleagues and friends and to meet new people from all over the world. My mind wandered to when and how ACTS might take the first step to hold an inaugural meeting on another continent—maybe in Southeast Asia, or Europe, or South America—to share and discuss issues of importance with people everywhere. It is part of our strategic plan and one that I personally will work towards because it is satisfying to learn so much from each other, whether we are from India, Kenya, Spain, Mexico or the US.
Linda B. Cottler, PhD, MPH, FACE
ACTS President
NCATS Strategic Plan 2024-2029
The National Center for Advancing Translational Science recently issued a request for information (RFI) to seek input on the framework from the public, including NIH staff. The framework will be further developed into the NCATS Strategic Plan for 2024–2029. The RFI is open for responses through November 1. To learn more about the framework, visit https://ncats.nih.gov/strategicplan.
Translational Science 2024: Call for Abstract Proposals Still Open!
While the Translational Science 2024 call for scientific sessions has closed, the call for abstract proposals is still open! Information and submission guidelines can be found here. Please note, if accepted for a poster submission and/or session, you must attend in person in Las Vegas to present.
Posters: Research based posters eligible for a short oral platform presentation or poster presentation and published in JCTS.
AAIC Advancements: Toward Health Equity in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD)
Register now for AAIC® Advancements: Toward Health Equity in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Oct. 30-31, 2023, in San Antonio, USA, and online. This no-cost conference seeks to support vital health equity in Alzheimer’s research and drive collaboration across the dementia science field among early career researchers and experienced investigators.
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.
Member Highlights
Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for outstanding or groundbreaking work? Is your institution embarking on an exciting project? Send ACTS your story to be highlighted in future issues of the ACTS Connection.
Submit stories here.
Translational Science Today
UC Davis developing models to predict the excitability of brain neuronal circuits
Researcher Roy Ben-Shalom is developing a model that simulates changes in neuronal activity caused by ion channel mutations to select the most effective therapy for many neurodevelopmental conditions.