In this edition:

Feature

Funding (* New Opportunities)

Basket Clinical Trials of Drugs Targeting Shared Molecular Etiologies in Multiple Rare Diseases (U44 Clinical Trial Required) – Due Dates Vary

NCATS seeks to facilitate rare diseases research by enabling efficient and effective movement toward clinical trials in multiple rare diseases. The purpose of this NOFO is to provide support for basket clinical trials of drugs targeting shared molecular etiologies in more than one rare disease, and in the process to identify and overcome challenges in adapting the oncology basket trial model to rare diseases Applicants are expected to collaborate with clinical investigators at academic institutions.

Miniaturization and Automation of Tissue Chip Systems (MATChS) – LOI Due January 22

Microphysiological Systems (MPS) are bioengineered microfluidic devices seeded with human cells and tissues that recapitulate organ systems and function. This NOFO has the central goal of improving the instrumentation platform that supports tissue chips using general principles of automation and miniaturization like the experiences from the Tissue Chips in Space program that will result in ease of use and broader accessibility of tissue chips for use on Earth and provides support using the STTR and SBIR cooperative agreement mechanisms for the development of MATChS.

Administrative Supplements to Recognize Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Mentorship – February 17

The participating Institutes and Centers (ICs) are inviting applications to support administrative supplements to existing NIH awards to support scientists who have demonstrated compelling commitments and contributions to mentorship and enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the biomedical sciences. Funds will support ongoing and future efforts.

TARGETED (Targeted Genome Editor Delivery) Challenge – Register by November 1

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched the second phase of the TARGETED (Targeted Genome Editor Delivery) Challenge , a three-phase competition aimed at improving the state of in vivo delivery technologies for genome editors in two Target Areas: 1) programmable delivery systems to deliver genome editing machinery that can target specific tissues or cell types, and 2) highly efficient non-viral delivery systems capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to deliver genome editing machinery. Now in Phase 2, participants must submit data from experimental testing that demonstrate delivery and editing performance as well as describe their methodology, technology, and how their solution addresses the Challenge criteria. Participation in Phase 1 is not a requirement for participation in Phase 2. All participants must register for the Challenge by November 1, 2024, and should submit their solutions by January 10, 2025.

Education and Training

Influential Mentoring Series Spring 2024

The Research Education Core of the Georgia CTSA is offering the Influential Mentoring Series Spring 2024 over Zoom through hour-long, interactive sessions. The six-session series will cover important topics to build mentoring knowledge and skills with a focus on improving and supporting equitable mentorship for diverse trainees. This training series is only for faculty and all sessions will meet on Tuesdays from 12:00-1:00 pm.

T32 Post-Doctoral Training Program – Due January 16

The goal of this program is to train post-doctoral candidates from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary expertise in health services research, through utilization of a multidisciplinary approach to expose trainees to multiple methods and research areas, from epidemiology and biostatistics to behavioral and social sciences, biological sciences, and health policy and implementation. The program has a special emphasis on research addressing disparities or inequities based on factors such as race/ethnicity, sex/gender, socioeconomic status, geographical residence, healthcare access, and physical/mental disability. Proposals should thus have a component that addresses equity or disparities. Contact Tracy Obertone at tracy.obertone@emory.edu for questions.

Phlebotomy 101 Training – January 25 & 26

Phlebotomy 101 is a two-day introductory classroom and clinical hands-on training that teaches the techniques of venipuncture. Led by the GCRC nurses, the course is offered to Georgia-CTSA affiliated partners.

Georgia CTSA KL2 Clinical and Translational Research Career Development Program – Apply by February 1

The goal of the KL2 Program is to support and enhance career development for junior faculty (MD, PhD, MD/PhD, PharmD) committed to a career in clinical and translational research (CTR) and clinical and translational science (CTS). Georgia CTSA is committed to assisting junior faculty at partner institutions to become independent, established, and ethical CTR and CTS investigators. View recordings of two-part KL2 Application Workshop held on October 19 and 26: Part 1 , Part II .

Georgia CTSA TL1 (T32-like) Training Grant Clinical and Translational Research Training - Predoc Due February 15, Postdoc Due March 15

The TL1 program is focused on providing innovative didactic and mentored clinical and translational research (CTR) training to individuals interested in careers that encompass CTR and clinical and translational science (CTS). The TL1 program supports predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees (medical, PharmD and PhD students; resident and fellow physicians; PhD postdocs; and PharmD residents). View recording of TL1 Application Workshop held on November 2.

Certificate Program in Translational Science (CPTS) Request for Applications - 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.

2024 Biomedical Data Science Innovation Lab – June 16-20

The Biomedical Data Science Innovation Lab is a hybrid academic program consisting of online team-building activities and a virtual seminar series that lead-up to an all-expenses-paid, 5-day grant-writing workshop at Bahia Resort Hotel in San Diego, California! Working under the direction of professional facilitators and the guidance of experienced mentors, teams at this year's lab will develop interdisciplinary projects to generate creative strategies on the use of data science approaches for creating new strategic partnerships between AI developers, biomedical researchers, and educators. In addition, the lab will include opportunities for learning about NIH and NSF funding through direct interaction with program officers. Applications due January 26. Apply now!

Calling All Clinical Research Professionals: Discover the Power of eMPACT!

Are you looking for a free, comprehensive career navigation system that can help you achieve your professional goals in the field of Clinical Translational Science? Introducing eMPACT (Empowering Purposeful Advancement of Careers and Training in the Research Workforce), a dynamic platform designed to promote purposeful training and career advancement for professionals like you.

Free Online Trainings for Clinical Research Professionals

Georgia CTSA and SC CTSI created an Online Course Catalog with free course and program offerings available to clinical research professionals. Participants earn a certificate or badge with contact hours (continuing education – CE) from an accredited provider upon completion of a course or program (series of courses). Featured Program: Pharmacovigilance and Safety Reporting Program

Research Resources

Multi-Site Clinical Trials

This is an open request for collaboration on the research study Comparing DEcolonization approaches For the reduction of surgical site INfEctions – the DEFINE Study, which compares the effectiveness of two intranasal decolonization methods and two approaches to body bathing to help reduce the incidence of surgical site infections. *Open to Emory researchers/PCORnet affiliates. For more information, email Mugisha Niyibizi.

Biorepository for Investigators

Georgia CTSA Clinical Research Center at Emory has established a Biorepository that includes an array of infectious disease samples. Our goal is to provide de-identified samples to investigators validating or developing diagnostics and therapeutics in an effort to improve the understanding of the effects, response, and mechanism of a variety of infectious disease samples including SARS-COV-2 and its variants. View current Biorepository Dashboard .

TEAMS Mentoring Program - Call for Content Experts

Call for Mentors: 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

Informed Consent: When the LAR is also the Investigator (PDF)

Innovation & Translation

Bench2Market Talk: Investment and Dilution – January 17

Join us at Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences at Georgia Tech or via Zoom from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM for an interactive discussion to review the basics of equity negotiation, fundraising, and dilution for life science start-ups. Our speaker, James Stubbs, Ph.D. has over 20 years of commercialization experience, has held senior executive roles in five medical device start-ups, teaches medical device design at Georgia Tech, and is an active private investor.

Bioentrepreneurship Networking – January 18

Join Martin Williams in Health Sciences Research Building II, 6th floor, N600 from 4:30 – 6:00 pm for an insightful session on the practicalities of biotech entrepreneurship. With his rich experience at Cognito Therapeutics, Martin played a pivotal role in evolving groundbreaking Alzheimer's research from animal models to a Phase 3-ready medical device. In this talk, he will share the hard-fought lessons gleaned from this journey. Food will be provided to attendees.

Community

Community-Academic Researcher Pilot Program – Due January 19

Georgia CTSA’s Community Engagement program aims to support community-university research partnerships and build community capacity to conduct health research that is responsive to the community’s health needs. This pilot grant program provides funding and technical assistance to community-based organizations (CBOs) and academic researchers/faculty to conduct community-engaged research. A maximum of two grants of up to $30,000 will be awarded. Watch informational application teleconference recording.

Events

Georgia CTSA Maternal Health Webinar: The Role of Perinatal Psychiatry Access Programs in Advancing Mental Health Equity – January 22

Join us via Zoom on Monday, January 22, from 12:00 - 1:00 PM. Georgia CTSA’s Integrating Special Populations program is hosting a webinar to facilitate collaboration between people with an interest in maternal healthcare and maternal health disparities. Toby D. Goldsmith, MD, Women's Mental Health Program Director, Emory, will be leading a session, The Role of Perinatal Psychiatry Access Programs in Advancing Mental Health Equity. View flyer .

Georgia CTSA Maternal Health Webinar: Ethics and Research in Pregnancy – February 5

Join us via Zoom from 12:00 - 1:00 PM for a webinar to stimulate dialogue around facilitators and barriers experienced by racial and ethnic minorities and African-American women participating in clinical and translational research. Anne Drapkin Lyerly, MD, MA, Professor, Social Medicine Professor and Research Professor, OBGYN, UNC Center for Bioethics, will be leading session on Ethics and Research in Pregnancy. View Flyer .

SE Regional Conference – February 28–March 1

The Southeast Regional Clinical and Translational Science Conference, February 28–March 1 at Callaway Resort and Gardens, brings together cross-disciplinary researchers from across the southeast to present cutting-edge health-related preclinical, clinical, implementation, and population-based research with national impact. Important Note: Book your stay by January 28th! Rates will only be guaranteed through January 28th. View flyer .

Call for Abstracts: 2024 Atlantis Symposium – March 14

The ATLANTIS Symposium serves as a central platform for researchers, providing a dedicated opportunity to share ideas, showcase innovative techniques, and contribute to the advancement of kidney, urology, and hematology (KUH) research. With a focus on networking, collaboration, and career development, the symposium will feature a keynote speaker and a variety of trainee presentations, all focused on KUH research. We invite abstracts from all early career KUH researchers including undergraduates, medical students, PhD students, postdoctoral fellows (PhD and MD), and junior faculty due on January 31.

10th Annual Health Services Research Day – May 7

Join Georgia CTSA colleagues at Emory University from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM for this symposium and networking opportunity where researchers across Georgia will learn about ongoing quality, effectiveness, and value-based research activities.