Letter from the Co-Directors: Fall 2026

Translational Science Events

CTSI’s Translational Science Grand Rounds have been an excellent showcase of the power of translational science. Our series continued on October 8 with “Integrating Quality by Design, Team Science, and Project Management for Study Success,” presented by Allison Orechwa, PhD, MBA, the executive director of the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute. We are grateful she shared her expertise with URochester and appreciate the opportunity to bring in more nationally recognized translational scientists and researchers to our community every month.

Our next grand rounds event is on Thursday, November 12, featuring Lynne Maquat, PhD, the Lowell Orbison Endowed Chair and Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics, presenting “Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay in human health and disease: Reframing the role of FMRP in Fragile X Syndrome.” Please consider joining us. 

Next week, we are holding CTSI’s biggest event of the year: Translational Science Day. The event takes place on Wednesday, October 28, and features the Research Support Fair, one of the largest—if not the largest—gatherings of research service providers at the University. This is an opportunity to speak directly with the people who help facilitate research with innovative tools, funding, and other support.

The event also features presentations on successful translational science and translational research projects that demonstrate how the field breaks barriers and produces results better and faster, across disciplines. We are also proud to host our Translational Biomedical Science graduate students as they compete in a Three-Minute Thesis competition, which is always an exciting event.

In response to the feedback of research teams, Co-Director Karen Wilson, MD, MPH, will lead a special workshop: “Foundational Considerations for Aspiring Research Leaders: Building Your Research Team.” Building a team affects the course of a research project and a career. This workshop will help you get it right.

These events and more will take place in the Saunders Research Building and Helen Wood Hall on Wednesday. We hope to see you there.

Focus on Rural Health

On October 6, John Cullen, PhD, and Karen Vitale, MSEd, of our Population Health branch hosted a virtual UNYTE scientific session: “Advancing Translational Science in Rural Health Research.” This event brought together researchers, public health advocates, trainees, and clinicians from across New York and other states to explore innovative methods for rural translational research and to develop strategies for overcoming barriers to rural health research.

Rural health and rural health research are major priorities for CTSI this grant cycle. We recognize the unique challenges that people living in rural communities face as they seek and receive healthcare and participate in clinical trials. 

The guest speaker was Christi Patten, PhD, director of the Rural Health Research Core at the Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science. Patten is a world-class expert in rural health engagement and translational science. We are honored that she joined us for this event.

If you have an interest in rural health research and translational research, learn more about the UNYTE Translational Research Network and sign up for the newsletter.

National Center for Deaf Health Research Leadership

The National Center for Deaf Health Research is welcoming Laura Shone, DrPH, MSW, as manager of research operations. She is taking on this role at an important time for the center as it focuses on its latest CDC grant to expand its successful Deaf Weight Wise program at a national level.

Steven Barnett, MD, principal investigator for NCDHR, is on leave. Gretchen Roman, DPT, PhD, is serving as interim principal investigator. We are grateful for Barnett's dedication to the center over the years and appreciate Roman's initiative in coming on board. The center is in a great position, having just secured additional funding.

The same can be said for all of CTSI. We are already through one year of our seven-year grant cycle and firing on all cylinders. Our programs and services are supporting research teams conducting innovative work and translational science, right now.

That is exactly where CTSI needs to be. 

Sincerely,

Co-Directors Karen Wilson, MD, MPH, and Martin Zand, MD, PhD
 

Jonathan Raab | 10/21/2026