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  • Bionutrition: Food Safety Over the Holidays

    Written by Ciara Mitchell, PhD, RDN, LD – November 21, 2024
    The holiday season is upon us and one thing we all have in common is the desire to prepare and consume our favorite holiday foods. Unfortunately, more than 48 million Americans suffer from foodborne illnesses or “food poisoning” and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 3,000 people will die from foodborne illnesses each year.
  • Unlocking the Power of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

    Written by Brian C. Moon - November 12, 2024
    Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have revolutionized how we collect, analyze, and visualize spatial data. By integrating location-based information with various datasets, GIS provides powerful tools for researchers, students, and faculty across multiple disciplines. Whether mapping disease outbreaks, analyzing environmental changes, or planning urban infrastructure, GIS offers insights critical for informed decision-making.
  • CEI Perspectives: Building Health Literacy in Rural Underserved Communities

    Written by Brian C. Moon - November 6, 2024
    The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) recently hosted a panel discussion titled "CEI Perspectives: Building Health Literacy in Rural Underserved Communities," which focused on the challenges and solutions involved in improving health literacy among rural populations.
  • Congratulations to the 2024 CCTS Pilot Awardees

    Written by Anne Russell and Brian C. Moon - October 25, 2024
    The Center for Clinical and Translational Science is thrilled to announce its newest Pilot Awardees. Selected through a rigorous competitive process, awardees represent a variety of disciplines from across the CCTS Partner Network, including acute care, endocrinology, oncology, anesthesiology, nephrology, public health, and health services administration.
  • CCTS expeDITIons Forum Recap: Advancing Dissemination, Implementation, Translation, and Innovation

    Written by Brian C. Moon - October 16, 2024
    The inaugural in-person session of the CCTS expeDITIons forum, held on October 1st, brought together researchers from a wide range of disciplines and career stages to discuss the critical role of dissemination and implementation (D&I) sciences in ensuring that evidence-based discoveries are effectively integrated into clinical and public health settings.
  • Bionutrition: Diet and Cancer Prevention

    Written by Ciara Mitchell, PhD, RDN, LD – October 16, 2024
    Cancer is a growing public health concern in the US ranking as the second leading cause of death for adults living in the US. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) about 18% of all cancers are diet-related and many of these cancers can be prevented through diet and exercise (ACS, 2020).
  • CCTS at LEARN’d 2024: Shaping the Future of Health Equity

    Written by Brian C. Moon - October 15, 2024
    This year, the CCTS’s annual Community Engagement Institute (CEI) Symposium joined forces with the 2024 Listening, Engaging, and Acting to Reduce Neighborhood Disparities (LEARN'd) Health Equity Conference, creating a robust platform for collaboration on health equity.
  • MyOme, Broad Clinical Labs, and CCTS to Support Southern Research Program to Bring Genetics-Driven Health Insights to Alabamians Free of Charge

    October 11, 2024
    MyOme, Inc., a leading clinical genetics innovation company, and Broad Clinical Labs (BCL), the world expert in whole genome sequencing (WGS) are announcing a partnership to support the Southern Research (SR), Catalyst program.
  • Celebrating the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science (DBIDS): A New Era of Research at the CCTS Hub

    Written by Brian C. Moon - October 9, 2024
    The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) is proud to celebrate the establishment and growth of the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science (DBIDS) in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine.
  • ASF 2024 Awards

    Celebrating Innovation and Excellence at the 2024 CCTS Translational Science Symposium

    Written by Brian C. Moon - October 4, 2024
    The 2024 CCTS Translational Science Symposium brought together over 200 attendees from across the CCTS Partner Network for a dynamic event filled with insightful keynote presentations, workshops, and opportunities for collaboration.
  • ASF 2024 Awards

    Panel Spotlight: Shaping a Sustainable Environment for a Healthy Society at LEARN’d 2024

    Written by Brian C. Moon September 18, 2024
    As part of the upcoming Listening, Engaging, and Acting to Reduce Neighborhood Disparities (LEARN'd) Health Equity Conference, the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) Engagement of Communities domain is hosting an insightful panel discussion titled “Shaping a Sustainable Environment for a Healthy Society.”
  • Help Us Improve Our Website

    September 9, 2024
    We’re preparing for a website refresh and would love your feedback. Take a moment to complete our brief survey and let us know how visually appealing, easy to navigate, and helpful you find our current site. Your input will help us create a better online experience for you.
  • ASF 2024 Awards

    Join the National Movement for Health Equity at the 2024 LEARN'd Health Equity Conference

    Written by Brian C. Moon - September 6, 2024

    The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), in partnership with The Ohio State University, the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, and community partners, is proud to host the 3rd annual Listening, Engaging, and Acting to Reduce Neighborhood Disparities (LEARN'd) Health Equity Conference on September 30-October 1, 2024.

  • ASF 2024 Awards

    Meredith Fitz-Gerald Honored with Dean’s Excellence Award for Staff

    Written by Brian C. Moon - September 6, 2024

    Meredith Fitz-Gerald, RN, MSNMeredith Fitz-Gerald, RN, MSN, Director of the Clinical Research Support Program (CRSP) at the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), has been recognized with the Heersink School of Medicine Dean’s Excellence Award for Staff.

  • Bionutrition: Good Nutrition and Aging

    Written by Ciara Mitchell, PhD, RDN, LD – September 9, 2024

    Thanks to advances in medical research, Americans are living longer. Compared to 100 years ago, the average life expectancy for men and women increased from 58.2 years to 77.5 years. Although Americans are living longer, rates of disability and diet-related chronic diseases increase substantially in older populations.

  • What to Expect During Your First BERD Consultation

    Written by Brian C. Moon - September 5, 2024
    The CCTS Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) team is a vital resource for researchers across the CCTS Partner Network. Comprising expert biostatisticians, epidemiologists, and methodologists, the BERD team supports investigators at every stage of research, from study design to data management and statistical analysis.
  • ASF 2024 Awards

    CCTS hosts Faith in Action Alabama

    August 14, 2024
    CCTS Engagement of Communities recently hosted community partner, Faith In Action Alabama (FIAA), for its August Birmingham HUB Meeting.
  • CCTS Translational Science Symposium Poster Presentation

    You’re Invited to Share Your Science! 

    We are excited to invite you to participate in the CCTS Translational Research Poster Session, which will be featured at the upcoming 2024 Translational Science Symposium
  • Bionutrition: Faces Behind the Work

    Written by Ciara Mitchell, PhD, RDN, LD – August 12, 2024
    The CCTS Bionutrition Unit is a bustling hub, with its Metabolic Kitchen producing thousands of meals each year. In 2023 alone, the CCTS Metabolic Kitchen prepared more than 10,000 research meals, which included preparing, packaging, and shipping meals both locally and across the region.
  • Mugavero named CCTS Associate Director for Dissemination & Implementation Science

    Written by Brian C. Moon - July 30, 2024
    Michael Mugavero, MD, MHSc, has been named the Associate Director for Dissemination & Implementation Science at the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS). In this role, Dr. Mugavero is charged with leading the strategic vision and coordination of dissemination and implementation science initiatives across the CCTS Partner Network.
  • Congratulations to Our New Cohort of K12 Scholars!

    Written by Brian C. Moon - July 29, 2024
    The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) is thrilled to announce the newest cohort of K12 Scholars. These outstanding individuals represent a diverse array of disciplines from across the CCTS Partner Network, including pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, social work, infectious diseases, and health policy and management.
  • High Risk for High Return: Top 10 Considerations When Working with ARPA-H

     July 29, 2024
    The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is dedicated to driving transformative and equitable health solutions through high-impact research. Modeled after DARPA, ARPA-H funds high-risk, high-reward projects that aim to tackle some of the most challenging health issues of our time.
  • CEI Perspectives: Healthcare Equity for People Who Are Disabled

    Written by Brian C. Moon - July 8, 2024
    The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) recently hosted a panel discussion titled "CEI Perspectives: Healthcare Equity for People Who Are Disabled," focusing on the critical issues surrounding healthcare access for individuals with disabilities.
  • Empowering Health Through Nutrition

    Written by Ciara Mitchell, PhD, RDN, LD - June 27, 204
    Welcome to the first edition of "CCTS In Focus: Bionutrition," a monthly feature dedicated to exploring the vital role of nutrition in clinical research. In this inaugural article, we delve into the rich history and ongoing contributions of the CCTS Bionutrition Unit.
  • CEI Perspectives: Enhancing Healthcare Equity for Unhoused Populations

    Written by Brian C. Moon - May 30, 2024
    At a recent CEI Perspectives event hosted by the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) and the Center for the Study of Community Health, healthcare professionals, community workers, and policy advocates gathered to address the critical issues surrounding healthcare equity for unhoused individuals.
  • Celebrating Clinical Trials: Impact and Insights

    Written by Brian C. Moon - May 23, 2024
    As we conclude our CCTS In Focus: Clinical Trials campaign and Clinical Trials Week, we reflect on the collaborative spirit and remarkable achievements that have driven our efforts. This campaign has highlighted the transformative role of clinical trials in advancing human health, particularly for underserved populations, and showcased the Center for Clinical and Translational Science's commitment to eradicating health disparities.
  • Clinical Trials in Action: Insights from the NAUTICAL Study

    Written by Brian C. Moon - May 13, 2024
    In an era where medical science is keenly focused on personalized medicine, understanding how diseases affect diverse populations is crucial. CCTS Associate Scientist, Dr. Pankaj Arora and the Arora Translational Lab are at the forefront of such precision medicine efforts with their groundbreaking NAUTICAL trial.
  • Data2Discovery Gateway: Explore Key Data Enclaves and Accelerate Your Research with Expert Insights

    Written by Swathi Thaker, May 7, 2024    
    With the plethora of large datasets now available, it can often be difficult to figure out which one is the best for your research purpose.
  • Empowering Clinical Research through Interactive Learning

    Written by Brian C. Moon - May 6, 2024    
    On April 29, 2024, a unique educational event took place at the Bevill Biomedical Sciences Building, drawing over fifty clinical research professionals. Presented by the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), this session, titled "ACTion Learning: Ensuring Consent is Truly Informed,” leveraged local actors to bring to life the complexities of the informed consent conversation.
  • ASF 2024 Awards

    2024 Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Celebration of Service Awards

    Written by Brian C. Moon - April 23, 2024
    On April 13, 2024, at the 2024 Celebration of Service, the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) of Alabama honored Dr. Lisa Gurley of Samford University’s Moffett and Sanders School of Nursing and Dr. Lemeshia Chambers of UAB’s Live HealthSmart Alabama with the 2024 Outstanding Academic Mentor and Outstanding Community Site Mentor awards, respectively.
  • Tita, Carlo, and Team Win Distinguished Clinical Research Achievement Award

    Written by Brian C. Moon - April 15, 2024
    The Clinical Research (CR) Forum, a non-profit membership association of top clinical research experts and thought leaders from the nation’s leading academic health centers, presented the Distinguished Clinical Research Achievement Award to two outstanding studies at the Top Ten Clinical Research Achievement Awards on April 2nd at the Paris Hotel Las Vegas, and for the second year in a row, CCTS investigators were recognized for their achievements.
  • Translational Science 2024 Recap

    Written by Tyren Lucas - April 10, 2024
    The annual Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) Conference (TS24), held in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 3-5, 2024, brought together over 1000 clinical research staff professionals, trainees, faculty, and national leaders, including strong representation from the CTSA consortium and our CCTS Partner Network, to celebrate advances in translational science, clinical research, and health equity. As we reflect on the highlights and moments captured at TS24, it is important to recognize how the event fostered key consortium-wide connections and initiatives as well as offering learning and collaborative opportunities.

  • OnCore: Streamlining Clinical Trials Management for Research Excellence

    Written by Ashley Specht - April 1, 2024
    The UAB research landscape is changing. On March 20, 2024, UAB President Ray Watts shared an update on planning for the Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with Purpose. The Research Strategic Initiative maps the way to reach $1 billion in research funding. With this initiative will come improvements to the technical infrastructure: new electronic research systems and expanded utilization of current systems.
  • 5 Tips on Writing an Outstanding Specific Aims Page

    Written by Swathi Thaker - March 25, 2024
    Though only one page, the Specific Aims page is probably the MOST important piece of your grant. Often, reviewers will form a strong opinion about the merits of a proposal on this page alone, so you want to make sure that you maximize its potential and increase your chance for funding. Read on for tips on how to write a stellar Specific Aims page!
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Event Brings Together Multidisciplinary Audience

    Written by Brian C. Moon - March 13, 2024
    On March 7, 2024, an enlightening virtual event titled "Historic Lines, Current Divides: Connecting Redlining to Present Day Disparities in Birmingham" was hosted via Zoom, shining a spotlight on the enduring impacts of redlining practices in Birmingham and their ripple effects on present-day disparities. The forum was an initiative co-hosted by the Social Science and Justice Research (SSJR) pilot UWIRC and the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS)
  • Top 10 things the best trial PIs know about ClinicalTrials.gov

    Written by Tamara Howard - March 13, 2024.    
    Navigating the complexities of a clinical trial requires not only a deep understanding of the science but also an intimate familiarity with the tools and resources that support research excellence.
  • Highlights from the 2024 Southeast Regional Clinical and Translational Science Conference

    Written by Tyren Lucas - March 8, 2024
    The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) takes immense pride in forging remarkable collaborations and advancing scientific innovation throughout the CTSA consortium.
  • 2024 CCTS Bioethics Forum Highlights Ethical AI in Healthcare for Underserved Communities

    Written by Brian C. Moon - Feb. 28, 2024
    On February 23, 2024, the CCTS Bioethics Forum, themed "Ethical AI: Bridging Gaps in Healthcare and Research for Underserved Communities," convened in person in Montgomery, Alabama.
  • Clinical Trials in Action: Insights from CCTS-Supported Research

    Written by Brian C. Moon - Feb. 20, 2024
    A recent study from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association highlights the relationship between dietary sodium and blood pressure, adding a new dimension to our understanding of how dietary choices affect heart health.
  • CCTS In Focus: Clinical Trials


    At the heart of advancing human health lies a pivotal element – clinical trials. The CCTS is dedicated to fostering a future where disease and health disparities no longer burden the underserved and special populations within our region. Through our "CCTS In Focus: Clinical Trials" campaign, we emphasize the transformative role that clinical trials play in not just improving patient care but in pioneering the availability of breakthrough therapies for those most in need.
  • CCTS Congratulates the 2024 Clinical and Translational Science Training Program (CTSTP) scholars

    The CTSTP is a 6-month certificate program that provides training in clinical and translational research including didactic instruction as well as interactive experiences.

  • CCTS Celebrates 15 Years

    Celebrating 15 Years of Clinical and Translational Excellence!

    2023 marked a monumental milestone as we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the CCTS! From its inception in 2008, the CCTS has been dedicated to accelerating research processes, elevating research capacity, and fostering innovative approaches to address significant health and healthcare delivery challenges.

  • UAB Informatics Institute will present at the AMIA 2023 Annual Symposium



    The CCTS and UAB Informatics Institute will present at the AMIA 2023 Annual Symposium, taking place in New Orleans November 11-15.

    The theme of the AMIA 2023 Annual Symposium is "Transforming Healthcare and Biomedicine for a Sustainable Future." This symposium aims to address the significant challenges faced by healthcare and biomedicine, such as staffing, knowledge translation, finances, and supply chain.

  • 15th Anniversary Toolkit

    2023 marks a monumental milestone as we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the CCTS! From its inception in 2008, the CCTS has been dedicated to elevating health equity for the communities we serve. In celebration of this milestone, we have created 15th anniversary branding for use through the first half of 2024.

For a list of older Digest stories, see our News Archives.