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Goal #1: Advance clinical and translational science

The CCOS Communications Team interviewed researchers at the <a href="https://ccos-cc.ctsa.io/groups/program-meetings/2023/fall-meeting?view=meeting-details" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2023 CTSA Fall Program Annual Meeting</a> poster session in November as part of a series to feature ongoing projects across the CTSA hubs. In this article, we’re featuring Dr. Barbara Tafuto, part of the Workforce Development Core at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, who presented the work of her and her colleague, Dr. Doreen W. Lechner on <a href="https://ccos-cc.ctsa.io/groups/program-meetings/2023/fall-meeting?view=poster-gallery&amp;poster=314" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">advancing pharmacovigilance through health system collaborations</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Research Question&nbsp;&nbsp;At a basic level, machine learning (ML) requires external validation on unlearned samples to evaluate strength and estimate generalizability. This presents a major challenge for leveraging electronic health record (EHR) data from multiple health systems. Variability in data formats, quality, and completeness of data from different health systems can impede the harmonization and integration of data necessary for external validation of these algorithms. To overcome these challenges, Drs. Tafuto and Lechner developed a checklist to support generalizability for future federated EHR ML pharmacovigilance projects among disparate health systems. The checklist is based on the methods they developed to validate predictive models assessing adverse events for immunotherapy/checkpoint inhibitors arising out of multiple institutional and industry collaborations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Research Plan&nbsp;&nbsp;To create a generalizable methodology, the researchers searched recent literature to identify challenges or methods related to this process and culled a list of key themes and important questions to map out a checklist. They then recruited key medical informatics leaders within Rutgers Health for feedback.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;This mixed methodological approach identified six general themes that were combined into 24 checklist-style questions. The six themes used in the checklist are as follows: (1) General applications for predictive modeling; (2) Data needs and identification for targeting a population; (3) Strategies for defining variables; (4) Optimizing model deployment; (5) Assessing variable measurement; and (6) Achieving generalizability. The goal of checklist development is to guide multidisciplinary teams to a more efficient, accurate, and generalizable predictive model, and avoid human use bias during model validation.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Next Steps&nbsp;&nbsp;A checklist of this kind has the potential to improve team organization, build a more structured workflow, reduce workload, and increase generalizability of pharmacovigilance predictive modeling projects using EHR data.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reflection with the Researcher: What real-world benefits do you envision might come from work like this, and how would patients or community members benefit?&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Dr. Tafuto stated that “[m]ethods and processes are key components of Clinical and Translational Science. Our goal is to build a stronger model that can be generalized beyond our institution, and eventually contribute to better patient outcomes.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences

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2023 CTSA Fall Program Annual Meeting Poster Spotlight: Barbara Tafuto, Ph.D.

Goal #2: Promote partnerships and collaborations

Topic: Case Western Reserve University CTSC Science Cafe: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility&nbsp; &nbsp;Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024&nbsp; &nbsp;Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET&nbsp; Location: Virtual via Zoom&nbsp; Bring your ideas and an open mind to the next Science Cafe presented by the Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Northern Ohio!&nbsp; From research priority setting to scientific approaches, workforce development and operations—there's never been a better time to build systems, policies, procedures, and infrastructure that supports Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) from bench to bedside to the community.&nbsp; Join us for an engaging discussion on all things DEIA, Health Equity, and Health Disparities led by Cynthia Owusu, M.D., Medical Oncologist, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Associate Director of DEI at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Gelise Thomas, J.D., M.S., Director, Research Health Equity, CTSC of Northern Ohio.&nbsp; &nbsp;Learn more about the educational series <a href="https://case.edu/medicine/ctsc/science-cafe" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.Register for the Zoom webinar <a href="https://bit.ly/3U9FdfJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.&nbsp;

Case Western Reserve University

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Case Western Reserve University CTSC Science Cafe

Beth Tross knows she’s not alone in confronting epilepsy’s debilitating effects.&nbsp;The former Montessori preschool teacher understands that millions of people live with her condition, which doctors diagnosed when she was 13. According to the World Health Organization, epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases in the world, affecting 50 million people globally. In addition, nearly five million people receive an epilepsy diagnosis each year, and their risks of premature death are up to three times higher than the general population.&nbsp;However, Beth and her husband, Nate (82BA), of Highland Park, Illinois, want to help change this reality. Beth attended the University of Iowa from 1978 to 1983 and is a third-generation Hawkeye. Nate earned his economics degree from the university. The couple believes Iowa’s scientists hold the answers to better treatments—and even cures—for patients with epilepsy and other debilitating brain disorders. That’s what has inspired the Trosses to invest in epilepsy research at their alma mater throughout the last several years.&nbsp;Recently, the pair built upon their family’s generous support, which included the creation of the Beth L. Tross Epilepsy Professorship, with a new commitment of $5 million. Their latest pledge will establish the Nate and Beth Tross Epilepsy Cures Fund for pediatric research and the Tross Family Adult Epilepsy Research Fund. A portion of this gift also will support the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art, where Beth served as an advisory board member...&nbsp;Read the full article <a href="https://magazine.foriowa.org/story.php?ed=true&amp;storyid=2422&amp;utm_source=interact&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;ipid=552" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.

University of Iowa

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Hope is on the Horizon for Iowa Epilepsy Patients

Many members of our CCTST community recently attended the Translational Science 2024 meeting in Las Vegas. We are very proud that our own Jareen Meinzen-Derr, Ph.D., M.P.H., FACE was Co-Chair of the meeting. Dr. Meinzen-Derr also received the prestigious Team Science Award from the Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS). &nbsp;&nbsp;A remarkable 11 CCTST members were first authors on posters presented on cutting-edge topics at the meeting, including Ishita Basu, Ph.D., Jason Blackard, Ph.D., Lori Crosby, Psy.D., Jackie Knapke, Ph.D., Ed.M., Jack Kues, Ph.D., and Jeff Strawn, M.D., and Stacey Gomes, M.S., Angela Mendell, M.S., CCRP, Holly Flake and Erin Kingsley, M.P.H. Many others served as co-authors on posters. &nbsp;&nbsp;We are also extremely proud of our K Scholars Ishita Basu, Ph.D., and Alex Corley, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, who participated and advanced in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition. Both Scholars made it to the semi-final round, with Dr. Corley advancing on to the final competition and winning the Early Career Scholar competition award! &nbsp;&nbsp;Clinical &amp; Translational Science &amp; Training (CTST) members also presented in workshops and panel discussions. Jessica Kahn, Ph.D., M.P.H., Lori Crosby, and Dr. Meinzen-Derr presented a workshop titled, “Strategies for successfully implementing a faculty diversity, equity, and inclusion plan using CQI principles” and Dr. Meinzen-Derr presented on, “The Art of Equity in Recommendation Letters,” “Translational Science and Strengthening Partnerships,” and “Inclusion with Equity: Safeguarding Safe Spaces.” Drs. Crosby and Meinzen-Derr presented on, “Improving Data Equity Throughout the Research Process.” Angela Mendell presented on, “Fostering Transformative Growth in the Clinical Research Workforce through the SIG Brain Trust.”

University of Cincinnati

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Cincinnati Children's Hospital

Translational Science 2024: University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Center for Clinical & Translational Science & Training (CCTST) Highlights from Leadership, Members, and K Scholars

Goal #4: Improve clinical research

Pneumonia is the leading cause of adult hospitalization in the United States — an estimated one million people are admitted each year — and the debilitating lower respiratory tract infection represents one of the greatest lethal challenges in global health. Both community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and hospital/ventilator-acquired pneumonia (HAP/VAP) are associated with high morbidity, healthcare expenditures, and subsequent mental and physical impairments.&nbsp;Despite this notable prevalence, pneumonia is difficult to diagnose, and finding the infectious cause of pneumonia is even harder.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nucats.northwestern.edu/training/nih-funding-opportunities/kl2/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">KL2</a> scholar <a href="https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/faculty-profiles/az/profile.html?xid=37744" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chiagozie Pickens, M.D., M.Sc</a>., has focused her research on this topic. As an assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Dr. Pickens is committed to the implementation of diagnostic excellence in the move toward a precision medicine approach for pneumonia. She presented her findings at a recent <a href="https://feinberg-northwestern.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=70a10ed3-d219-41fd-8210-b09f01053e61" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Department of Medicine Medical Grand Rounds</a> event. &nbsp;&nbsp;Diagnostic excellence is achieved through the acquisition of a precise and accurate patient diagnosis. Dr. Pickens is optimistic this approach will improve the current diagnostic routine, which streamlines identification with a chest X-ray, antibiotic treatment, and general monitoring across patients. This current clinical diagnosis has garnered poor interrater reliability as the lung is particularly challenging to evaluate...&nbsp;Read the full article <a href="https://www.nucats.northwestern.edu/about/news/2024/pickens-pneumonia.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.&nbsp;

Northwestern University at Chicago

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Northwestern University At Chicago

NUCATS KL2 Profile: Developing a More Precise Approach for Pneumonia

At 64 years old, Barbara had no idea that her heart had blockages.&nbsp;Enrolled as a healthy control in a clinical trial that was investigating linkages between cardiac mechanics and kidney function, the research team suddenly stopped her as she was riding a stationary bicycle.&nbsp;“I was wearing a mask and there was an ultrasound technician looking at my heart while my blood pressure was being monitored,” she recalled. "At first everything was fine, but as I worked harder pedaling, the study team noticed something was wrong. Right away they called principal investigator <a href="https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/faculty-profiles/az/profile.html?xid=30927" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rupal Mehta</a>...”&nbsp;Read the full article <a href="https://www.nucats.northwestern.edu/about/news/2024/tnn-success.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.&nbsp;

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From Study Participant to Life-saving Stent 

CTSA CCOS

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