Understanding Translational Science
Translational science is the process of turning scientific discoveries into health improvements. It involves systematically addressing major barriers that inhibit the progression of research from one stage to the next. By overcoming these challenges, translational science aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of delivering more treatments to more people. To learn more about translational science and how it is applied in pilot projects, please visit our Translational Science in Pilots page.Meet the 2024 CCTS Pilot Awardees
Emmy Bell, MD, MSPH
Professor, Division of Nephrology, UAB
Project Title: Digital Spatial Profiling of Hypertensive Arterionephrosclerosis
Translational Barrier: Assessing execution of complex mechanistic study in a human model
Jennifer Caldwell, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Public Health, PBRC
Project Title: Assessing feasibility of including community members in User Experience (UX) design for Genetic testing digital platform
Translational Barrier: Integrating community engagement in the development of a health literacy intervention
Denise Danos, PhD
Assistant Professor, Public Health Oncology, LSU Health
Project Title: Building a software prototype for practice-based clinical trial matching to improve enrollment
Translational Barrier: Enhancing clinical trial enrollment
Christy Foster, MD
Assistant Professor, Pediatric Endocrinology, UAB
Project Title:Evaluation of a recruitment method for an underrepresented adolescent population for a clinical study for genetic studies
Translational Barrier: Enhancing clinical trial recruitment
Sadis Matalon, MS, PhD, ScD
Professor, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, UAB
Project Title: Optimization of Recombinant Hemopexin for the Mitigation of Chemical Lung Injury
Translational Barrier: Overcoming a bottleneck in therapeutic manufacturing
Peter Morris, MD
Professor, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine
Project Title: Addressing Inpatient Trial Design Translational Barriers through Refining Post-ICU Recovery Trajectories to Inform Hospital Re-Admissions
Translational Barrier: Novel Clinical Trial Design
Seung-Yup (Joshua) Lee, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Services Administration
Project Title: Empirically-Grounded Referral Optimization for Effective Diabetes Care Coordination and Glycemic Management
Translational Barrier: Developing an evidence-based approach to inform healthcare allocation
Advancing Translational Science Across the Deep South
Since 2008, the CCTS Pilot Program has been instrumental in supporting projects that not only advance specific fields of study but also contribute to the overarching field of translational science. By continually refining its operating principles, the program accelerates the translation of scientific discoveries into tangible health improvements across the Deep South.These 2024 awardees exemplify the mission of the CCTS by addressing fundamental translational barriers—such as patient engagement, clinical trial recruitment, data fidelity, and therapeutic manufacturing challenges. Their innovative approaches contribute to a more efficient, effective, and equitable healthcare system.