Letter from the Editor

Dear Colleagues,

Last week, I was asked a very interesting question: what advice would I give my younger self just starting out in the field of clinical and translational science? When I started out, clinical and translational science was still an emerging discipline. Today, it is well-established, and I believe there has never been a better time to be a clinical and translational scientist - there are countless opportunities to make a difference in the health and well-being of individuals and populations. So, what advice would I give myself?

One of the most challenging aspects of my career is coping with the uncertainty, stress, and frustration that often accompanies clinical and translational science. It is a long and arduous process that involves many steps, stakeholders, and obstacles. It can take years, if not decades, to move from an idea to an intervention, and from an intervention to an outcome. It can also take many attempts, failures, and rejections, to secure funding, publish papers, and change practice. It can be tempting to give up, or to switch to a more comfortable and predictable career path. The advice: stay the course – it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate the small wins, learn from the setbacks, appreciate the journey and not just the destination. Patience, persistence, and passion are essential, and it helps to remember why we do the work: to make a positive difference in the health and well-being of individuals and populations.

A valuable lesson I learned in my career, and one I wish I had been taught, is that clinical and translational science is not a solo endeavor, but a team effort. No one person can truly master all the skills and knowledge required to conduct high-quality and impactful research. We must work with others who have complementary expertise, perspectives, and experiences, and who share common goals. Team science is key to success in clinical and translational science, as it allows you to leverage the strengths and resources of your partners, overcome the challenges and barriers of your environment, and generate more innovative and relevant solutions to complex health problems. So, I would have advised myself to focus on building teams despite the tension with needing to develop independence for career progression and recognition.

Along a similar vein, a common worry early in my career was that someone would steal my ideas and take credit for them. However, I learned that this fear was unfounded and counterproductive. Sharing and collaborating are essential for clinical and translational science, as they foster innovation, creativity, and impact. I learned that ideas are not static and fixed, but dynamic and evolving, and that they can be improved and enriched by the input and feedback of others. I also learned that ideas are not scarce and limited, but abundant and infinite, and that there are always more ideas to generate and pursue. I learned that if you are worried about keeping your ideas secret so no-one can steal them, you are missing the point of clinical and translational science, which is to generate and disseminate knowledge and evidence that can benefit the health and well-being of individuals and populations.

In summary, my advice to me would have been to acknowledge that clinical and translational science is really hard, and that working in teams to solve problems that change people’s lives for the better is not only rewarding, but also an awful lot of fun. It's in that spirit that I'm also looking forward to Translational Science 2024 in Las Vegas, NV next week and having the opportunity to continue to foster existing and new connections.

Together, we make a difference.

Sincerely,

Chris

Pack Your Bags for Translational Science 2024

It's about that time! With just a little more than a weekend to go until Translational Science 2024, it's time for us to start packing our bags for Las Vegas.

Before you go, be sure to download the Engagefully mobile app to plan your week, and give our Hotel & Travel page one last read. Haven't registered yet but plan on being in town? Registration will stay open until the last day of the event, so put us on your schedule and sign up!

News from the Hill

March was a busy month for budget and appropriations activity. Congress sought to complete work on FY 2024 appropriations with final spending bills. The administration released its FY 2025 budget request before the FY 2024 process was completed (flagging policy proposals and priorities, but ensuring the document lacked an accurate comparison between proposed funding and current funding). Advocacy efforts are now fully underway to ensure the largest possible increases for the full spectrum of medical research and key programs during the FY 2025 process.

PhRMA Foundation 2025 Research Funding

Our friends from the PhRMA Foundation are now accepting letters of intent for their 2025 research grants. Predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships and faculty starter grants are available to trainees pursuing research in the areas of drug discovery, drug delivery, and translational medicine. Predocs receive $30,000 a year for two years, postdocs receive $60,000 a year for two years, and faculty receive $100,000 for one year. The letter of intent deadline is 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET on May 1, 2024.

Apply Today

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.

Career Center

The ACTS Career Center is the premier resource for connecting those in the field of translational science with career opportunities. Visit today to find a wealth of resources to help achieve your career goals. ACTS members receive a 50% discount on the site—use code ACTSMEMBER to save!

Translational Science Today

MD Anderson’s Institute for Data Science in Oncology announces appointment of inaugural IDSO Affiliates

The Institute for Data Science in Oncology (IDSO) at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center announced the appointment of its inaugural cohort of IDSO Affiliates. These 33 talented scientists, clinicians and staff bring diverse expertise to help IDSO leadership and focus area co-leads advance collaborative data science projects and align the institute’s efforts with MD Anderson’s mission to end cancer.

News From The Hill