In this edition:

Feature

Special Recognition

Georgia CTSA Community Health Worker (CHW) Elected Statewide CHW Advisory Board Co-Chair

Adrianne Proeller, Community Health Worker at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) Prevention Research Center (PRC) and Georgia CTSA’s Community Engagement team, was elected Co-chair of the Georgia Community Health Worker Advisory Board. Co-chairs of the advisory board provide strategic leadership to align statewide efforts to define, train, and certify community health workers (CHWs) and to recognize this growing group of professionals.

Funding (* New Opportunities)

* Industrialization and Translation of Extracellular Vesicles for use in Regenerative Medicine – Due Dates Vary

This FOA provides support using the SBIR cooperative agreement mechanisms and using the STTR cooperative agreement mechanisms for the development of novel extracellular vesicle-based therapeutic platforms for use in regenerative medicine. Both native and engineered EVs have demonstrated the ability for specific and targeted tissue and organ repair, which can be harnessed for applications such as extracellular vesicle-based therapeutics. The main objective for this funding opportunity is to support platform-oriented technology development associated with the production, manufacturing, and use, of extracellular vesicles as therapeutics in regenerative medicine.

Clinical Trial Readiness for Rare Diseases, Disorders, and Syndromes – Due May 15

This R21 and R03 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites researchers to submit applications for support of clinical projects that address critical needs for clinical trial readiness in rare diseases. The initiative seeks applications that are intended to facilitate rare diseases research by enabling efficient and effective movement of candidate therapeutics or diagnostics toward clinical trials, and to increase their likelihood of success through the development and testing of rigorous biomarkers and clinical outcome assessment measures, or by defining the presentation and course of a rare disease to enable the design of upcoming clinical trials.

IDCRC Early Career Investigator Pilot Awards – LOIs Due May 19

This Mentored Pilot Research Project awards (similar to K08, K23, and K99 awards) provide 1 year of funding to support research projects and career development activities that will enhance the applicant’s ability to compete successfully for an independent R- or K-series award (e.g., acquisition of preliminary data, training in grant preparation). The projects can address a variety of topics, including vaccinology, therapeutics, laboratory studies, and statistics. Learn more about the program.

HEAL Initiative-Early-Stage Discovery of New Pain and Opioid Use Disorder Targets Within the Understudied Druggable Proteome – Due May 22

The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to support early-stage research projects focusing on the identification of new druggable targets for pain, opioid use disorder and/or overdose within the understudied druggable proteome. This NOFO is part of the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long Term (HEAL) initiative to accelerate the development of novel medications to treat all aspects of the opioid addiction cycle, including progression to chronic use, withdrawal symptoms, craving, relapse, and overdose.

* Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative - New Innovator Award – Due May 23

The Helping End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) New Innovator Award supports a postdoctoral or newly independent Early-Stage Investigator of exceptional creativity who proposes novel, original and insightful research concepts with the potential to produce a major impact, test scientific paradigms, or advance key concepts on broad, important problems in biomedical research related to pain, opioid use disorder (OUD), and/or overdose (OD). Applications proposing unexpected convergence of disciplines, new scientific directions, or the use of novel methodologies are encouraged.

* Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative: Translational Science Career Enhancement Awards for Early and Mid-career Investigators – Due May 23

This NOFO invites applications from early and mid-career investigators (i.e., postdoctoral fellow/associates – associate professor) who strive to expand their research trajectories through the acquisition of new knowledge and skills in the areas of therapeutic drug, biologic, or device development. The development of novel treatments for pain, addiction, and overdose is a vital component to address the ongoing opioid epidemic. This development will be most effective if performed by scientists with experience in translational science.

Emory Imagine, Innovate, and Impact (I³) SOM/Atlanta VA Research Awards - Due June 5

The Dean of the Emory School of Medicine (SOM) and the Assistant Dean for VA Research at the Atlanta VA Medical Center are soliciting proposals that will enhance collaboration among existing VA and Emory scientists. These collaborative awards are intended to spark synergistic interactions among investigators, at least one from Emory SOM and Atlanta VA each.

* STrengthening Research Opportunities for NIH Grants (STRONG) – LOIs due August 18

The STrengthening Research Opportunities for NIH Grants (STRONG): The STRONG-RLI program will support research capacity needs assessments by eligible Resource-Limited Institutions (RLIs). The program will also support the recipient institutions to use the results of the assessments to develop action plans for how to meet the identified needs.

Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities – Due September 6

Two Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) ( Technologies and Innovations for Healthy Living ) invites eligible United States small business concerns (SBCs) to submit Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant applications that propose to develop a product, process, or service for commercialization with the aim of improving minority health and/or reducing and ultimately eliminating health disparities in one or more NIH-defined populations that experience health disparities. Appropriate technologies should be effective, affordable, and culturally acceptable.

Education and Training

Certificate Program in Translational Science (CPTS) Request for Applications – Extended: Due May 1

The Certificate Program in Translational Science (CPTS) is a formal 16-credit Emory Laney Graduate School program for trainees who seek to conduct research at interface between basic and translational science and clinical medicine. The CPTS enhances and transforms translational research training for predoctoral PhD students, postdoctoral fellows (PhD or MD) & junior faculty at Emory, MSM, Georgia Tech & UGA.

Frontiers in Environmental Science and Health (FrESH) Training Program – Due May 5

This innovative advanced program will train and mentor promising graduates, medical students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty from predominantly underrepresented communities in sophisticated technologies in Environmental Health Science Research. FrESH offers dynamic training courses that consist of daily lectures from leading experts, active learning sessions, and extended discussions on important and emerging topics followed by hands-on laboratory sessions for a week-long summer course.

Phlebotomy 101 Training – May 18-19

Phlebotomy 101 is a two-day introductory classroom and clinical hands-on training that teaches the techniques of venipuncture to research coordinators monthly and is led by GCRC nurses. The course is only offered to Emory, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), and the University of Georgia (UGA) faculty and staff. Please note: the course is open to research professionals that serve the adult population only. We do not accept pediatric research professionals. Learn More .

CPTS 500 – Fundamentals of Epidemiology – August 23 to December 5

Faculty and postdocs are welcome to enroll in a fall semester course that is part of the curriculum in the Certificate Program in Translational Science (CPTS) at the Laney Graduate School. Tuition awards are not available but faculty and postdocs at Emory may be eligible for the Emory Courtesy Scholarship if employed for at least one year. This is a semester-long course that meets on Mondays from 3:10-5:00pm from August 23 to December 5. For more information and instructions on how to apply to the Laney Graduate School as a non-degree student, contact Rachel Hardison.

MSCR 596 – Advanced Data Management in R – August 23 to December 5

Faculty and postdocs are welcome to enroll in a fall semester course that is part of the curriculum in the Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) at the Laney Graduate School. Tuition awards are not available but faculty and postdocs at Emory may be eligible for the Emory Courtesy Scholarship if employed for at least one year. This is a semester-long course that meets on Tuesdays from 3:10-5:00pm from August 23 to December 5. Prerequisite: completion of or concurrent enrollment in a basic statistics course covering at least linear regression (BIOS/MSCR 500 or equivalent). For more information and instructions on how to apply to the Laney Graduate School as a non-degree student contact Cheryl Sroka.

Research Resources

Call for Mentors: Georgia CTSA TEAMS Program

Call for Mentees: Georgia CTSA TEAMS Program

Grant Wise

Would you like an experienced grant writer to help provide guidance for your grant? The Georgia CTSA Grant Wise service offers the opportunity for one-on-one feedback from experienced senior faculty on grant writing. Receive support with developing a timeline, reviewing specific aims, writing/editing the text, and responding to reviewers. Grant Wise is available to faculty of institutions within the Georgia CTSA - Emory, Georgia Tech, MSM, & UGA.

Georgia CTSA Match

Looking to connect with experts in your field? Join the new Georgia CTSA Match! The platform encourages meaningful networking and collaboration by pairing researchers based on similar interests. These matches will help you to build networking opportunities acting as a catalyst to spur your research forward. Discover more and Join Now!

Georgia CTSA Ethical Dilemma of the Week

Innovation & Translation

ACME POCT GLUE: 50 Shades of FDA – TODAY

Navigating a medical device through the FDA’s regulatory maze can be a daunting affair.Join Cathy Cambria and Erika Tyburski on April 28 at noon for a demonstration of the steps through amock innovative COVID-19 assay, from both the point of view of the innovator and a regulatory agency,and touch on the many regulatory considerations necessary for getting truly innovative and noveltechnologies to market.

National Cancer Institute SBIR Innovative Concept Award Program – White Paper Due May 5

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding mechanism was developed for small businesses that are developing highly innovative and out-of-the-box technologies with the potential to create new scientific paradigms through novel and enhanced approaches to considerably improve cancer research, prevention, detection, and care in pediatric and/or rare. Applications focusing on rare cancers with a 5-year survival rate of less than 50% are especially encouraged for this solicitation.

Community

PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson’s Disease

PD GENEration is a Parkinson’s Foundation initiative that offers genetic testing and genetic counseling at no cost for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). When you participate, you will have the opportunity to improve Parkinson’s research and better manage your Parkinson’s in the future. Sign up today or email for more information.

SPARX3: Study in Parkinson Disease of Exercise Phase 3 Clinical Trial

We are seeking volunteers to participate in a clinical research trial to learn more about the effects of aerobic exercise on people with Parkinson’s disease. Sign up today or email for more information.

Events

Emory Brain Health: Season 4 of "Your Fantastic Mind" - Wednesdays, April 19 - May 24

A partnership between Emory and Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), “Your Fantastic Mind” reports on cutting-edge scientific and clinical breakthroughs in brain health. The news magazine-style show highlights compelling stories from patients and insights from top professionals across various medical disciplines including neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, rehabilitation medicine, and sleep medicine. Season 4 airs every Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET from April 19 to May 24 on GPB’s statewide television network. Read about each episode .

9th Annual Health Services Research Day – May 3

Join Georgia CTSA colleagues at Emory University School of Medicine on May 3 for the 9th Annual Health Services Research Day symposium and networking opportunity where researchers across Georgia will learn about ongoing quality, effectiveness, and value-based research activities. Learn more .

K-Club – May 8

Join us via Zoom from 12:00 – 1:00 PM for a panel discussion on, “Beginning with the end in mind: how superb planning and good data collection hygiene will set you up for research success”, featuring a successful partnership between a PI and epidemiologist, and useful information from a REDCap expert and a Research Informationist to help set you up for success in your clinical and outcomes research projects.

Pediatric Research Unit Open House – May 9

The Pediatric Research Unit (PRU) is hosting an Open House 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM to showcase the amazing facilities and staff within the Center for Advanced Pediatrics (CAP). All are welcome to join us for a tour of the unit and to hear about the significant research projects taking place. If you are a PI who has wondered how the PRU can partner with you on your research initiatives, this event is for you. Come to the 5th floor and look for the balloons. Light refreshments will be provided.

Blue Sky Group: Exercise as Medicine - May 9

12th Annual Southeastern Pediatric Research Conference - June 9

The 2023 conference will take place at the Georgia Aquarium and will highlight the scope of pediatric research conducted across the southeastern US, with emphasis on research from Emory, Children’s, Georgia Tech, and MSM. This conference brings together basic and clinical researchers with pediatricians and healthcare providers to promote the integration of cutting-edge research into clinical practice. This year’s conference theme is Optimizing Health across the Lifespan through Innovation, Discovery, and Equity.

NIDDK Workshop – July 24-25

The National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Disorders (NIDDK) invites you to attend the workshop, “Optimizing Clinical Trials in Chronic Disease”. This webinar will focus on optimizing clinical trials, focused on improving recruitment, planning, and reviewing available tools from NCATS/CTSA to assist investigators in planning trials. The webinar will include a patient panel, and special attention to the concerns of research coordinators, as well as lessons learned from successful clinical trials in the COVID era. For more information, please email Dr. Kevin Abbott .