From Connections to Collaborations: Driving the Future of Translational Science

The 2026 Southeast Clinical and Translational Science Conference set a new benchmark for success, reaching an all-time high in attendance and fostering a unique spirit of interdisciplinary unity. With a record-breaking 398 attendees—marking a 34% increase from the previous year—the event solidified its reputation as a premier hub for scientific innovation in the Southeast.

This year’s gathering moved beyond the traditional silos of academia. Scientists from various backgrounds merged their expertise to address complex community health challenges.

“Engineers, social scientists, clinicians, biomedical scientists, and data scientists came together not as separate disciplines, but as a single translational science community—turning all their expertise into shared solutions for the community. It was a living example of fulfilling NCATS principles,” says Francisco Leyva, MD, PhD, Program Director, NCATS.

One key driver of the conference's success is its departure from standard lecture formats. Attendees praised the emphasis on active discussions and highly interactive formats, such as dynamic breakout sessions, engaging poster presentations, and multidisciplinary panel discussions. By prioritizing scientific exchange over passive listening, the conference provided participants with valuable exposure to new research areas and practical feedback on how to communicate their impact.

A theme during the 2026 Southeast Conference was networking with purpose. Attendees collaborated from a wide range of participating institutions including Augusta, CDC, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Children's Hospital in IL, Emory, FSU, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State, MUSC, Mercer, MSM, NCATS, Northwestern, UAB, UF, UGA, University of Miami, UNC, and more.

In a post-conference survey, participants provided exceptionally positive feedback on the tangible impacts of these interactions, praising the "connection with other CTSA members", “learning more about clinical and translational science”, “receiving feedback on my communication skills”, and "the panel discussion to hear others’ perspectives". Participants reported an extremely positive overall experience, with the conference earning an average rating of 4.55 out of 5.

An overwhelming majority reported that the event facilitated tangible new connections. For many, these weren't just introductions—they were the starting points for future research, discoveries, and impact. Participants highlighted:

• Immediate Project Planning - “We sat down and laid out a collaborative project.”
• Strategic Growth - “I made a number of new connections during the poster sessions, especially in the clinical trials space, which is a direction I'd like our research to go in.”
  • “I was able to connect with several professionals and had meaningful conversations about shared research interests, opening the door to potential future collaborations.”
• Cross-Institutional Synergy - “I met people in my field from other universities, and we are going to collaborate on this work.”

“From the speakers to content topics, food, logistics, and the beautiful space, the conference was well-organized! Although it is growing, it is still small enough to allow collaborations and connections,” comments Rakale Collins Quarells, PhD, MSM and Emory.

As the translational science community looks ahead, the annual Southeast Clinical and Translational Science Conference stands as a testament to the power of bringing diverse minds together to turn expertise into shared discoveries and innovations that improve health. Congratulations to the award winners listed below who were recognized during the special Networking Banquet and Award Ceremony.

2026 Presidents’ Award of Distinction for Team Science: co-Lead PI Jessica M. Sales, PhD, Emory

Team Science Awards

2026 Presidents’ Award of Distinction for Team Science - “IT-PHITS”

• Lead PI: Jessica M. Sales, PhD,Professor Department of Behavioral, Social and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health Emory University
• Lead PI: Anandi Sheth MD, MSc,Professor Department of Medicine Emory School of Medicine

2026 Team Science Award of Distinction for Early Stage Research Teams: Lead PI - Leslie Johnson, MPH, PhD, Emory

2026 Team Science Award of Distinction for Early Stage Research Teams - “Grady T1D Integrated Care Team”

• Lead PI: Leslie Johnson, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor Division of Family Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine

Abstract Awards

Poster Presentation Winners

Basic Research

• Mohamed Sayed, BPharm, Louisiana State University, “Chemogenetic Restoration of Cerebellar Endocannabinoid Signaling Prevents Stress-Induced Fear Memory Potentiation”

Pre-Clinical: Mark Garren, PhD, UGA

Pre-Clinical

• Mark Garren, PhD, UGA, “Localized Hydrogen Sulfide Delivery for Improved Hemocompatibility of Vascular Access Devices”

Clinical

• Madeline Wetterhall, MD, Emory, “Risk Factors Associated with Emergent Transfer to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit following Rapid Response Activation”

Dissemination and Implementation: Leandra Lacayo, MPH, Emory

Dissemination and Implementation

• Leandra Lacayo, MPH, Emory, “Balancing Fidelity and Adaptation in a Produce Prescription Program (PRx): Insights from Healthcare and Agricultural Partners”

Public Health: Grzegorz Zapotoczny, PhD, Northwestern

Public Health (tie)

• Grzegorz Zapotoczny, PhD, Northwestern University, “Revealing Discrepancies in FDA’s Documentation of High-Risk Pediatric Medical Devices”
• Nathaniel Shannon, PhD, University of Alabama, “Development and Validation of a Health Belief Model Measure for Cancer Clinical Trial Participation”

Outstanding Oral Presentation: Trevor Tuma, PhD, UGA

Outstanding Oral Presentation 

• Trevor Tuma, PhD, UGA, "Development and Initial Results of an Intervention to Reduce Conflicts in Faculty-Graduate Student Mentoring Relationships in the Biomedical Sciences"