Celebrate Overcoming Research Barriers at Translational Science Day on October 29

Researchers face challenges translating their work to practical medical applications and treatments. Recruiting study subjects, obtaining sufficient funding, regulatory compliance, and more can all slow down or prevent the conversion of research into treatments, therapies, and medical practice. To showcase those who have overcome these translational barriers and to highlight the services and support available to researchers at URMC, the Clinical and Translational Science Institute is hosting Translational Science Day on October 29.

Researchers, faculty, students, and staff interested and involved in clinical and translational research are invited to connect with one another, learn more about translational science and services, and get what they need to accelerate their own research. Registration is now open.

“Our message with this event is that if you’re engaged in research or preparing for a research career, you are doing translational science, whether you realize it or not,” said Alfred Vitale, PhD, co-director for the Research Education and Career Development branch. “Everyone faces barriers in their research and Translational Science Day can help you make connections and get the resources you need to overcome them.”

Attendees can participate all day or sign up for individual sessions. The event runs from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on October 29, with distinct blocks of programming.

Keynote Address & Symposium

Morning presentations begin at 8:45 a.m. and include opening remarks from UR CTSI Co-Directors Karen Wilson, MD, MPH, and Martin Zand, MD, PhD. The keynote address will be delivered by Jin Xiao, DDS, PhD, recipient of the Robert G. Holloway CTSI KL2 Alumni Lectureship in Clinical & Translational Science. Xiao has benefited from several UR CTSI research support resources, allowing her to develop her research interests and community outreach as an early career researcher.

The keynote will be followed by presentations from researchers who have overcome translational barriers with UR CTSI support. The block concludes with 3-Minute Thesis presentations by Translational Biomedical Science PhD candidates.

Workshops for Researchers and Research Staff

Event workshops take place from 10:30 a.m. until noon. They include:

• Study Coordinators Organization for Research and Education Workshop: Including Study Coordinators in Protocol Decisions
• Community-Based Participatory Research Panel & Workshop
• Rochester Early-Stage Investigator Network Program Leadership Workshop: Leading to Leadership - Five Core Skills for Early-Stage Investigators

Shark Tank Competition

Attendees are also invited to join a collaborative team competing to propose innovative solutions to research barriers in the Translational Science Shark Tank Competition from noon to 2:30 p.m. Participants will work to develop a four-minute pitch to address a translational barrier. A panel of experts will judge the pitches and select a winning team. Lunch will be provided to all shark tank participants, but advance registration is required.

Research Support Fair

The Research Support Fair will run from 9 a.m. until noon, featuring service providers from UR CTSI and across URMC who wish to connect with researchers and staff of all stages to provide support for their projects.

Attendees include:

• Behavioral Sciences Facility
• Center for Advanced Brain Imaging & Neurophysiology
• Center for Advanced Research Technologies
• Center for Community Health and Prevention
• Center for Health & Technology
• Clinical Laboratory Services
• Clinical Research Center
• Edward G. Miner Library
• Emergency Department Research Associate Program
• Environmental Health and Safety
• Inhalation Exposure Facility
• Informatics and Analytics
• Office for Human Subject Protection
• Office of Clinical Research
• Office of Research IT
• Office of Research Project Administration
• Physical Exercise Activity Kinesiology Laboratory
• Quality and Mixed Methods Research Center
• Research Services
• Statistical Consulting Service
• University Committee on Animal Resources
• UR Health Lab
• URVentures
• Vivarium

Choose How You Attend

“We designed Translational Science Day to be modular—you can attend all day, choose to attend the events you want, or just stop by the Research Support Fair to talk to service providers when you have a little time,” Vitale said. “The important thing is that the URMC research community gets educated about the benefits of translational science and the support available to all researchers at URMC.”

Translational Science Day takes places in and around the Helen Wood Hall Auditorium and the Saunders Research Building at 265 Crittenden Boulevard on October 29. Register here.

Jonathan Raab | 9/16/2024