Institute Leadership

UR CTSI is led by co-directors Karen Wilson, MD, MPH and Martin Zand, MD, PhD, who are also co-PIs on the NIH grant that funds the institute. Jane Tolbert, PhD, SHRM-CP, supports their work as senior director for UR CTSI administration.

Karen Wilson, MD, MPH

Karen Wilson joined the UR CTSI as co-director in 2023. She is the vice chair for clinical and translational research for the Department of Pediatrics. She previously served as the strategic director of the UR CTSI Research Services branch and as MPI of the CTSI KL2 Career Development Award Program. Nationally, she serves on the Executive Council of the Pediatric Research in Inpatient Settings Network and is the chair of the American Board of Pediatrics’ Pediatric Hospital Medicine Sub-board. During her time at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, she served as the vice chair for clinical and translational research.

"My experience as a translational researcher and clinician, as well as my time spent engaging communities in health research, has taught me how translational science and health equity are interrelated. Work in the translational spectrum can reach its highest potential when individuals, communities, and populations are engaged, informed, and inspired to participate."

View Karen's eCV

Martin Zand, MD, PhD

Martin Zand, MD, PhD has served as co-director of the UR CTSI since 2015. He previously served as co-director of the Center for Leading Innovation and Collaboration funded by the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, leading efforts to offer data coordination services within the CTSA consortium. He also served on the national CTSA Steering Committee. He has a clinical practice in transplant nephrology and transplant medicine.

"For almost two decades, UR CTSI has supported translational science and research through direct funding, informatics and analytics consultation, technology solutions, educational programs, and more. It has been my honor to help lead this institution as it has emerged as a full-spectrum project and career resource for University researchers."

View Martin's eCV

Jane Tolbert, PhD, SHRM-CP

Jane Tolbert is the senior director for UR CTSI administration. Tolbert has extensive administrative experience in higher education, grants and contracts management, and project management for clinical research. Tolbert earned her PhD in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from the University of Glasgow.

"Effective clinical and translational research begins with an effective team. Our team—the faculty and staff of UR CTSI—are truly second to none."