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CCTS Digest 6.12 .15 | www.uab.edu/ccts
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In This Issue

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While we invite you to take part in all of our programs, items featuring this icon may be of particular interest. Look for the symbol throughout the Digest. Have news you'd like to share? Send it to: ccts@uab.edu
Female Scientists Post "Distractingly Sexy" Photos


 From BBC.com-Female scientists have been sharing "distractingly sexy" photos of themselves after a feminist website encouraged them to respond to comments by a Nobel laureate.


Nobel Prize winner Tim Hunt was roundly criticized when he detailed his thoughts about the "trouble with girls" at a conference of science journalists. 


 
"Three things happen when they are in the lab," he said, "you fall in love with them, they fall in love with you, and when you criticize them they cry."


 
He said his comments were meant to be "light-hearted, ironic comment," but whatever the intention, it went over like a heavy metallic dirigible in a field with some widely acknowledged gender issues. Hunt has now resigned from his position at University College London.


 

On Thursday the hashtag #DistractinglySexy began taking off, with more than 10,000 tweets in a matter of hours. The trend was prompted by a shout-out by the feminist online magazine Vagenda, which urged female scientists to share pictures of themselves at work. WARNING: the photos below are not graphic in the slightest. (Click here to read the full article)

Seminars
Seminars, Symposia and Conferences

Sunday-Thursday, June 14-18

3rd Annual 3rd Annual Workshop on Metabolomics

The course is jointly sponsored by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) as part of the  NIH Common Fund Metabolomics Initiative, and the Departments of Chemistry and Pharmacology and Toxicology at UAB. 

Visit the website for full details on agenda, registration, and more.

 

Thursday, June 11

CTO Research Seminar Series

"SOP Update and Review" Presented by Penelope Jester

*Potluck: Please bring a dish to share.*

 

12:30-1:30pm

PCAMS, 1924 7th Avenue South

 

 
  • Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
  • You can also dial in using your phone: (267) 507-0008
     
    Access Code: 930-891-813
 

Tuesday, June 16

Training Interdisciplinary & Emerging Research Scholars (TIERS)

Going Pro: Are You R01-Ready?

Often, and sooner than you may think, it will be time to step up your game and compete for the pros - the NIH R01.  Dr. Katherine Hartmann, who has been the coach for more than 75 players who've made the step up from training programs to the pros, will bring grant writing chops and candor to talking about how the game is played, dissecting what it takes to compete, and staying focused on the win.


 

 

Katherine E. Hartmann, MD, PhD

Associate Dean, Clinical and Translational Scientist Development, Vanderbilt University

Deputy Director, Institute for Medicine & Public Health

Director, Graduate Studies in Epidemiology

Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Medicine 

 

5-6:30pm

Register: https://tiers-june16.eventbrite.com

PCAMS, 1924 7th Avenue South

 

 

Connect remotely via GoToMeeting:

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/225659157

You can also dial in using your phone: (571) 317-3131

Access Code: 225-659-157

 

Thursday, June 18

CTO/CCTS Research Seminar Series

"Issues in Non-clinical Trial Studies," presented by Kathleen Harrington

Noon-1pm

PCAMS, 1924 7th Avenue South

 
  • Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
  • You can also dial in using your phone: (267) 507-0008
    Access Code: 930-891-813

Tuesday, June 23

Take a Tour Through an R01

 

A presentation by Dr. Jeffrey Engler, Interim Dean and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Graduate School will be followed by a Mock Review of a previously submitted R01.   



8-10:30am
Medical Towers (1717 11th Avenue South), Room 634

 

Register: http://mock-review.eventbrite.com to receive the R01 and access to additional materials that will be useful for your full participation. 

 

This event is co-sponsored by the training programs of the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), the Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education (COERE), and the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center (MHRC). Questions?  Contact the ccts@uab.edu

 

 

To connect to this event remotely, you may download the RealPresence video conference software to your computer to connect: http://iits.uasystem.ua.edu/RP.html

All desktop participants dial in to the video conference via: 99900634

You may call into the VC using phone number 205-930-6575 (if you are off-site, or there are internet connection problems with the video conference)

If you have connection or technical issues please contact IITS at 205-975-6854

NOTE: The system administrator recommends doing a test of the software prompted upon downloading, prior to the event itself. 

 

Wednesday, July 1

CCTS Forum

4:45-6pm

PCAMS, 1924 7th Avenue South

 

This month's topic is the Clinical Trials Office, whose mission is to bring innovative therapies to the patients we serve.  We will accomplish this by developing and continually enhancing clinical and operational excellence in the conduct of clinical trials at UAB. This will, in turn, make us nationally competitive for participation in new studies.


 


 

The CTO offers its services to:

  • UAB researchers and research teams, assisting with study start-up, implementation and administration
  • Patients, Partners, and the general public, providing opportunities for study participation
  • Sponsors, helping them identify UAB investigators for participation in their research

During the Forum, we'll discuss the goals of the CTO as articulated by the office's leadership. Join us for hors d'oeuvres and refreshments at the Pittman Center for Advanced Medical Studies. 

 

 

Monthly Mentoring Lunch: CCTS Training Academy

The CCTS Training Academy kicked off its first monthly mentoring lunch meeting at the PCAMS building on May 1, led by Dr. David Chaplin, Melissa McBrayer, and Ryan Outman of the CCTS Training Academy.  

A dozen individuals, representing departments from across campus-Collat School of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Public Health, School of Medicine-gathered to discuss current mentoring challenges. The impromptu discussion started with the age-old question: Who should be first author on a collaborative paper?
Dr. David Chaplin, CCTS Training Academy
This group will meet monthly on the first Friday of each month at PCAMS. In addition, an Entering Mentoring group session is scheduled to meet on July 15, 1-4pm. Join with other faculty to expand your mentoring skills and knowledge using mentoring  curriculum built around six main competencies:
  1. Maintaining effective communication
  2. Aligning expectations
  3. Assessing understanding
  4. Addressing equity and inclusion
  5. Fostering independence
  6. Promoting professional development
Please submit your name to the CCTS (ccts@uab.edu) to learn more. To take part in the monthly mentoring lunch, please email Melissa McBrayer,  mcbrayer@uab.edu.

Visit us online to learn more: www.uab.edu/ccts/training-academy/mentoring

2015 CCTS Biomedical Informatics Summer Training Series


This series will consist of a series of seminars, presentations and online lectures covering key topics in biomedical and health informatics for clinical and translational science researchers and the resources related to these topics at UAB.  Reading materials will accompany the presentations-five live seminars and three online sessions.  Each live session will be approximately one hour on Wednesdays from 3-4 pm beginning June 3, in the PCAMS Building, 1924 7th Avenue South (NOTE: new location).  

 

Schedule of Presentations

 

Date

Topic

Presenters

June 3

What is informatics? (Introductory Presentation ) Topics include: Overview of biomedical and health informatics, key issues in the field, impact of informatics on medical research, education and patient care, informatics resources for researchers at UAB.

Eta S. Berner, EdD

June4-16

ONLINE SESSION-- Electronic health records- Topics include: description, functionality, use for research, and challenges for both healthcare and research.

 

June 17

Accessing data in electronic health records- Topics include: Demonstration of tools and resources for accessing UAB's electronic health record systems,

Matthew C. Wyatt, MSHI

June 24

Literature searching using advanced electronic techniques- Topics include: Tools, strategies and resources for effective literature searching for researchers in clinical and translational science.

Lee Vucovich, MLS

 

June  25--July 7

ONLINE LECTURES-Databases, Health Information Technology Standards and Interoperability of Clinical Systems .Topics include: Advantages of databases for clinical research, Importance of standards and description of the kind of standards  that exist in healthcare

 

July 8

Use of the EHR for Research-Topics include challenges in using the EHR for research, strategies to make the EHR more usable clinically and for research

James J. Cimino, MD

July 15

Role of bioinformatics in study design and analysis of genomic data- Topics include: tools and resources at UAB  and nationally  for genomic and other  "--omic" analyses.     

Elliot J. Lefkowitz, PhD

July 22-July 29

ONLINE SESSION--Linking genomic and clinical data-The eMERGE Network

 

Students who would like to take this as a one-credit course can do so.  All interested individuals should email Eta S. Berner, EdD, Course Director, at eberner@uab.edu to be put on the mailing list for course information and if you need additional information.  

 

 

Sessions will be broadcast via GoToMeeting at: 


 


 

Featured Funding :

*NEW*    

The CCTS Mentored Career Development Program (KL2 scholars) is for junior faculty in a clinical or related discipline. The overall goal of this training program is to impart knowledge, experience and perspective to a network of junior scientists who will emerge as independent investigators.

Scholars, selected through a competitive application process, receive KL2 Clinical and Translational Science career development support for up to five years with protected time for both formal training and hands-on research. Scholars enroll in an educational program, usually the MSPH in Clinical and Translational Science, which include the CTS core curriculum. In parallel, they enter a research apprenticeship with a primary mentor who has an excellent training record and commits to extended close interaction with the scholar. Training will culminate in lead author manuscripts and an extramurally-funded research grant submission (e.g., R01).


 

The KL2 program is now accepting Letters of Intent, due July 13, 2015. Please see the attached flyer for full details. Questions? Contact: ccts@uab.edu


 

*NEW*  Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences

The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences provides funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. The program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding individuals who are in their first few years of their appointment at the assistant professor level.

 

The current grant level is $240,000; $60,000 per year for a four-year period. In 2016, Pew will name the next Class of Pew Scholars. For the 32nd series of awards, to be made in 2016, one nomination will be invited from each of the participating institutions. Participating institutions have been selected on the basis of the scope of their work in biomedical research and recommended to The Pew Charitable Trusts by the National Advisory Committee of the Program. The application for the 2016 awards will open on August 3, 2015.

Eligibility

  • Candidates must have been awarded a doctorate in biomedical sciences, medicine or a related field.
  • As of November 16, 2015, nominees must hold full-time appointments at the rank of assistant professor. (Appointments such as Research Assistant Professor, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor Research Track, Visiting Professor or Instructor are not eligible.)
  • On July 16, 2015, candidates must have been in such an appointment for less than three years (not appointed before July 16, 2012), whether or not such an appointment was on a tenure track. Time spent in clinical internships, residencies, or in work toward board certification does not count as part of this three-year limit
  • Candidates may be nominated by their institution two times in total. ALL applicants must be nominated by their institution and must complete the 2016 online application.
  • If an applicant's university has more than one eligible nominating institution or campus, that applicant may only apply from one institution; they may not reapply in a subsequent year from a different one.

Additional information concerning the 2016 Pew Scholars Program can be found here. 

Candidates who would like to be considered for UAB's nomination should contact Dr. Kent T. Keyser at ktkeyser@uab.edu.


 

*NEW* Searle Scholars Program

UAB has been invited to submit the name of one nominee to the Searle Scholars Program. This program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding young scientists who have recently been appointed as assistant professors on a tenure-track appointment. Grants are $300,000 for a three-year term with $100,000 payable each year of the grant, subject to the receipt of acceptable progress reports. Generally, the program makes 15 new grants annually.

 

Applicants for awards which will be activated on July 1, 2016, will be expected to be pursuing independent research careers in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and related areas in chemistry, medicine, and the biological sciences.

Candidates should have begun their appointment as an independent investigator at the assistant professor level on or after July 1, 2014. The appointment must be their first tenure-track position (or its nearest equivalent) at an invited institutionAdditional information concerning eligibility for the 2016 Searle Scholars Program can be found here.

 

If you meet the eligibility requirements, and are interested in being considered to be UAB's nominee, please contact Dr. Kent T. Keyser at ktkeyser@uab.edu .

  


 


 


 

 

RESEARCH OMNIBUS SURVEY OF ALABAMA (ROSA)

 

Survey data of specific population groups is essential to investigators with an idea or proposal for a grant application, yet is often difficult to come by even in existing data sources such as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).  ROSA is a new investment in research infrastructure that offers investigators access to the resources of the School of Public Health's Survey Research Unit (SRU) to develop, collect, and compile preliminary survey data.  ROSA will be offered quarterly as either a short single investigator survey or a multi-investigator survey targeting a specific demographic (e.g., children) or theme (e.g., access to health care services).   Investigators interested in using ROSA will submit their request/idea to the ROSA Group, a nimble committee of senior investigators who will review the questions, determine the size of the survey, and facilitate analysis of the results.  A single-investigator ROSA may take 6 weeks from contact with the ROSA Group to completion.  A multi-investigator ROSA may take 8 weeks or more depending on the number of investigators, demographics, and the like.


 

The Survey Research Unit (SRU) and the Center for the Study of Community Health will fund up to 4 survey project proposals for a total of $20,000. Four-page proposals are due June 20, 2015. The proposals must summarize the research hypotheses to be tested, their significance, empirical methodology to be employed, and must involve collecting primary data from residents of Alabama through a telephone survey conducted by the SRU.  Data collection is not limited to health-related information.


The award will cover SRU faculty and staff time required for the development and implementation of the CATI survey instrument and assistance with development of any subsequent full-scale proposal. This opportunity is open to all full-time UAB faculty.  The proposals will be reviewed and selected for funding by a committee appointed by the SRU Executive Committee.  Please submit inquiries and project proposals to: CSCH_ROSA@UAB.EDU.


 

Additional information on the SOPH and the SRU and may be found at: http://www.soph.uab.edu/csch/infrastructure/service/sru


 

Pre-application for Collaborative Innovation Award, Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program (X02; not required; NCATS)

PAR-15-173
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-15-173.html


 
Collaborative Innovation Award, Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program) (U01; NCATS)

PAR-15-172
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-15-172.html
 

 

Due Monday, June 16: 

2016 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science

The Vilcek Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of immigrant contributions to American society. The Vilcek Foundation is seeking applicants for the 2016 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science. We are accepting applications from young, foreign-born researchers age 38 and under from now through June 15, 2015. Three winners will each receive a $50,000 unrestricted cash prize and will be honored at an awards ceremony in New York City in April 2016. Complete eligibility requirements and online application can be found on Vilcek.org.  

 

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Contact the CCTS Research Commons ( ccts@uab.edu; 4.7442) to learn more. Visit the site now for these and ongoing additions to the list!


Check out the CCTS Funding Opportunities page on our website


Biostatistics
BIOSTATISTICS

Mondays
Epidemiology/Biostatistics Clinic in The Edge of Chaos

  

This clinic provides the UAB community access to epidemiology and biostatistics resources.  Available most Mondays, 10am-2pm in The Edge of Chaos (Lister Hill Library, 4th floor).  Check the Edge of Chaos calendar   for confirmation of meeting dates and times. 
 

 

UAB CCTS Biostatistics Clinic                                                    

 

Weekly on Wednesdays, 11:30am-1pm

PCAMS Building 1924 7th Avenue South

 

The Biostatistics Clinic is open to all faculty members, post-docs, fellows, residents, and students. Attendees are invited to bring statistical and methodological questions about on-going research projects, projects being planned, manuscripts in progress, responses to peer reviewers, and published articles. They are also invited to bring their laptops. Assistance will be provided by members of the CCTS BERD group. A light lunch is served.  

 

BERD Design Consultation Available Today

In support of Pilot & Feasibility Projects, the CCTS is offering design consultation through its Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Division (BERD).  A team of methodologists, including experts in Epidemiology (Gerald McGwin, Russell Griffin), Biostatistics (Robert Oster, David Redden, Leslie McClure, Paul Lin), and Statistical Genetics (Hemant Tiwari, Xiangqin Cui) are available to collaborate in the design of  the pilot proposals as well as in their review.  If other methodological expertise is required in the project design, the BERD will recruit the required expertise from among the network of UAB methodologists.

 

Please contact the BERD and request design consultation by emailing ccts@uab.edu, calling (205) 934-4905 or connecting through Research Commons on the CCTS home page. 

 

UCEM logo
UAB Center for Exercise Medicine

The UAB CEM is seeking topics of interest for journal club offerings in Spring 2016. The format is 8 sessions per semester, with 1 credit hour earned for enrolled trainees.  Please select your top two from the following list or send other topics of interest to exercise@uab.edu.  

  • Exercise Biology in CVD
  • Exercise Biology in Cancer
  • Exercise Biology in Neuroscience
  • Exercise Biology in Metabolic Disease
  • Exercise Biology in Pediatric Diseases
  • Novel Advances in Molecular Exercise Medicine
  • Exercise Biology in Rare - Orphan Diseases

Save the Date:

UAB Center for Exercise Medicine - 3rd Annual Symposium

"Innovative Research from Discovery to Treatment to Prevention"

Friday, September 25, 2015 

Bradley Lecture Center at Children's Harbor

Birmingham, AL

 

Details and registration information will be posted soon at www.uab.edu/exercise.  

UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Science |   ccts@uab.edu | www.uab.edu/ccts
 Pittman Center for Advanced Medical Sciences
1924 Seventh Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294