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CCTS Digest 7.17 .15 | www.uab.edu/ccts
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Partner Network:
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
The 2015 Community Engagement Institute is Coming
October 2 to the BJCC


Images from the inaugural Community Engagement Institute, held October 15, 2014, at the Birmingham CrossPlex

The second annual Community Engagement Institute will take place Friday, October 2, at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center (BJCC) in the East Meeting room. This annual FREE event is now open for  online registration.  Please register early to ensure your seat.

This event is an education and training opportunity for academic and community partners to explore, discuss and gain practical skills related to collaborative research and service, especially to address locally identified needs and to connect key stakeholders and change agents to one another for action.


Undergraduate and graduate students, community members, UAB faculty, organizations & community/neighborhood leaders, volunteers, faith-based leaders and organizations, health advocates, consumers, grass-roots organizers, local funders and others are encouraged to register and attend. 

 
Keynote speakers for the October 2, 2015, Community Engagement Institute are:
 

SAMPSON DAVIS, MD

Physician, best-selling author, public speaker, mentor, Dr. Davis is a Board Certified ER Physician at Saint Michael's Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.  

In 2000 during his residency, Dr. Davis along with his best friends, felt a burning need to give back to communities in need and together they created The Three Doctors Foundation.  This non-profit organization offers a series of free public programs focused on health, education, leadership and mentoring.   
 

   

AL RICHMOND, MSW

 
 
Executive Director, Community Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH)
 

Mr. Richmond has over 25 years of experience in a career that has uniquely blended social work and public health to address racial and ethnic health disparities.  As a founding member and past chair of the Community Based Public Health Caucus and the National Community Based Organization Network - both affiliated with the American Public Health Association (APHA).  He helped to foster effective partnerships focused on community-identified health concerns and to increase the number of community leaders actively involved in APHA.   


 

CEI also features Breakout Sessions on the following topics:

  • Dissecting the Anatomy of Activism, Advocacy and Community Organizing
  • Civil Rights and Wrongs: A Discussion on Structural Racism and Community Health
  • An Insightful Look at Communities Fully Engaged in Research Partnership

In addition, look for information to come on Poster Presentations and Networking Opportunities. Click here to learn more about this exciting event, and register to reserve your seat! 

 


The CEI is hosted by the CCTS and 
Seminars
Seminars, Symposia and Conferences
Thursday, July 23

"Getting more for less: Distributed analytics in multicenter research"

Sengwee Darren Toh, ScD, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Center Institute 

11am,

 Faculty Office Tower 803

 

Please register to attend this presentation at http://drtohpresentation.eventbrite.com no later than July 21.

 

About the speaker:

Darren Toh, ScD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Population Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute. He is a pharmacist and pharmacoepidemiologist with an interest in comparative safety and effectiveness research of medical products. His research has been focused on

1) assessing the risks and benefits of therapeutics, especially in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, and 2) developing and applying privacy-preserving analytic methods to conduct such studies in distributed data networks. Darren is currently the CDER Portfolio Lead for the Mini-Sentinel program. He received his doctoral degree in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health.

 

If you have any questions regarding the seminar, please contact Ryan Outman.


Friday, July 24
Office of Undergraduate Research Summer EXPO
7am-12:15 pm
Campus Recreation Center, 1401 University Blvd
The keynote address will be held at Heritage Hall in Room 102 at 11 a.m. followed by the awards ceremony.



The EXPO celebrates excellence in research, creative activity and scholarship by showcasing the academic endeavors of undergraduate students covering more than three-quarters of the majors offered at UAB. Undergraduates will have the opportunity to present what they have learned through their research experiences to an audience. This event also provides a forum for students, faculty and the community to discuss cutting-edge research topics and to examine the connection between research and education.

This year's EXPO will feature a keynote address by Daniel Bullard, Ph.D., director of genetics, genome and bioinformatics in UAB's  Department of Genetics. He will discuss strategies that can be implemented to increase competitiveness for students as they aim to be accepted into top biomedical graduate programs.


Friday, July 31

"Integration of BIG Biomedical Data in Translational Bioinformatics" 


 

Kun Huang, PhD

Department of Biomedical Informatics

The Ohio State University

 

12-1pm

Shelby 515

1825 University Blvd

 

Please register to attend; lunch will be served


Wednesday, August 5
CCTS Forum: Grant Writing/Assembly Resources
4:45-6pm in PCAMS, 1924 7th Avenue South

Join us for hors d'oeuvres and refreshments as we come together to discuss resources available at UAB to write, assemble, and successfully submit grants (or triage those that need a second chance).  


 

Please join us remotely via GoToMeeting:
 

  • You can also dial in using your phone
    • (312) 757-3121

    Access Code: 533-000-725
Thursday, August 6

CCTS/CTO Research Seminar Series 

12:30-1:30pm, PCAMS Library, 1924 7th Ave. S.

Please join us remotely via GoToMeeting:


Friday,  August 7
First Friday Mentoring Lunch
Noon-1pm, PCAMS (1924 7th Ave. S.)  

This is an informal opportunity to come together with Dr. David Chaplin, Director of the CCTS Training Academy and your peers to discuss mentoring issues.  No prerequisite attendance at any other mentoring events is required.  Please RSVP so that we have enough food:  ccts@uab.edu.

Thursday, August 13
Professional Skills Development Series
"Developing Abstracts" 
Dr. David Chaplin, Director, UAB CCTS Training Academy

11am-12:15pm
PCAMS, 1924 7th Avenue South

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone:  https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/840329197
You can also dial in using your phone. United States (Long distance): +1 (224) 501-3412  Access Code: 840-329-197

SAVE THE DATE: FALL SYMPOSIA

Tuesday, September 15

TIERS: Training Interdisciplinary & Emerging Research Scholars

The mission of TIERS is to provide beneficial information on career planning and development. Topics are presented in a relaxed environment structured to promote collaborative learning, networking and problem solving.

TIERS participants do not have to have a current career development or training award to attend.  Any junior faculty, postdoctoral fellow and pre-professional student interested in an academic research career may participant.


Mark your calendar:  Tuesday, September 15, 2015  for a dialogue with   Warren Ross, MD,  on career development topics such as interviewing and professional searches.  Dr. Ross is a nationally recognized physician executive who lends deep industry knowledge to senior search assignments, which focus on securing top executives for Academic Health Science Centers.  

 

Friday, September 25

UAB Center for Exercise Medicine - 3rd Annual Symposium

UCEM logo  

"Innovative Research from Discovery to Treatment to Prevention"

8am-2pm

Bradley Lecture Center at Children's Harbor

Birmingham, AL

 

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

 

 

September 28-30, 2015

Immunogenomics 2015

 

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, Ala.

 

The meeting will bring you together with key experts at the intersection of immunology and genomics as they explore the application of genomic technologies to better understand the immune system.

Attend Immunogenomics 2015 and:

  • Engage in a multi-day program of science talks presented by leading experts in the field of immunogenomics
  • Be a part of the grassroots revolution in the way we approach human health
  • Network with leaders and thinkers at exciting social events

View the program to see the line-up of international speakers who will be discussing their groundbreaking research.

 

Abstracts are still being accepted until Friday, July 17. Click here to learn how to present your research before an international community of scientists.

 

There are significant discounts available for early registration through Monday, July 27. Click here to see the conference pricing and reserve your spot today!

 

October 22-23, 2015 
UAB Comprehensive Cardiovascular Center-4th Annual Symposium

"Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease"

 

William W. Featheringill Keynote Lecture:

Charles N. Serhan, PhD

Director, Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury

Brigham and Women's Hospital

The Simon Gelman Professor of Anaesthesia (Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology)

Harvard Institutes of Medicine

Professor, Harvard School of Dental Medicine

 

Taking place at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa, Birmingham, AL

Please visit the CCVC website for more information; Registration and Trainee Abstract Submission are Open.

 

UAB Research Orientation Program - a NEW RESEARCH TRAINING OPPORTUNITY for Faculty, Coordinators, Budget & Regulatory Staff

New to the UAB platform of education offerings for research is a program designed for young investigators and research staff who are new to research (possibly within the first 2 months of starting in research).  
 
The program will be a basic review of how to implement a sponsored- or investigator-initiated study including clinical, regulatory and financial aspects. The intent of this program is to provide a basic overview of implementing a study, familiarize attendees with the language, and hopefully provide guidance on avoiding pitfalls when starting out.  This is not an all-encompassing program, but will provide basic tools and some of the necessary language in order to successfully conduct a research study.
 
We encourage new faculty, coordinators, budget and regulatory staff to attend.  
At this time there is no cost for the program.    

Fourth Thursday of each month 8am - 12noon in PCAMS (1924 7th Avenue S.).
 
Registration is limited, so please REGISTER early by contacting   Dharti Patel :  Dpatel80@uab.edu.

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: 

DID YOU KNOW? UAB CCTS is on YouTube 

You've heard about our many wonderful programs and activities, but maybe you missed one? No worries, we've got you covered. Many of our speakers and series are videorecorded and posted online at our CCTS YouTube Channel. From topics ranging from informatics to community-based participatory research, to the top 5 strategies for improving participant retention in clinical trials, a wealth of information is at your fingertips. Click here to see what we have to offer.

The CCTS Congratulates Dr. Steven Rowe, Named Director, Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center 

Steven Rowe, MD, MSPH, professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, has been named director of the  Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center  in the UAB School of Medicine, effective Aug. 1.

Rowe is an expert in the design and conduct of clinical trials targeting the basic CF defect.  He said being tapped to lead the center is an exciting opportunity to build on the long legacy of cystic fibrosis research at UAB.

"It's an incredibly exciting time to be in CF research, and researchers at UAB have been a big part of that progress. There have been two new treatments approved in the last three years that address the basic defect that causes CF, so we're changing the face of the disease now for a large proportion of patients," Rowe said. "And with the discovery of these new treatments, researchers have a clear path as to what we need to do next to help find a cure."

Click here to read the full story. 

In May, Rowe and his research team published findings on a drug combination to treat some CF patients in the New England Journal of Medicine.  Rowe's team conducted their portion of the Traffic and Transport studies through the CCTS'   Child Health Research Unit, of which  Rowe is co-director. Click here to read the story.


 

Featured Funding :


 

*NEW* NIH Lasker Clinical Research Scholars


 

The National Institutes of Health, the nation's premier agency for biomedical and behavioral research, in partnership with the Lasker Foundation, is pleased to announce the Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program, an historic "intramural-extramural" partnership to nurture the next generation of clinical researchers

 

The program supports a small number of exceptional clinical researchers in the early stages of their careers to promote their development to fully independent positions. Successful candidates are designated as Lasker Clinical Research Scholars.


 

Lasker Scholars receive a unique combination of NIH funding for clinical research for to 10 years. In the first phase of the program, Scholars will receive appointments for 5-7 years as tenure-track investigators within the NIH Intramural Research Program with independent budgets. In the second phase, successful Scholars will receive up to 3 years of NIH support for their research at an extramural research facility; or the Scholar can be considered to remain as an investigator within the intramural program.


 

Lasker Scholars will have access to the NIH Clinical Center, the nation's largest hospital devoted entirely to clinical research. Through an arrangement with the Lasker Foundation, Scholars will have the opportunity to participate in selected activities, including attendance at the Lasker Breakfast and Award Luncheon, and participation in annual scientific meetings.

 

Applications are due August 27. Details:  http://www.nih.gov/science/laskerscholar/

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.


 

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.

 

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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                                                    

Come visit our team of biostatisticians for a one-on-one consultation

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. 

 

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