The New Jersey Alliance for
Clinical and Translational Science

Announcements, Deadlines, Reminders

March 24, 2021
‌
OnCore Clinical Trial Management System
Enterprise-wide Roll-out

As part of the overall mission to improve the efficiency and quality of the clinical trials conducted at RBHS, we are expanding the use of OnCore, a clinical trials management system (CTMS), from CINJ to all of RBHS. This is made possible by a significant investment of resources from RBHS and NJ ACTS.

OnCore is a web-based software system designed to help institutions manage their clinical trial portfolio. The enterprise-wide implementation has extended OnCore’s functionality and impact through multiple enhancements, including interfaces with eIRB (already live), the electronic medical record systems, and eventually receivables and billing. 

OnCore will enable us to improve the efficiency of study start-up procedures, such as budgeting and contracting, as well as to standardize and improve clinical research workflows in general. Participant visits and completion of study procedures are recorded in OnCore, and OnCore’s e-Regulatory system enables the creation of electronic regulatory binders.

OnCore is being rolled out in a phased approach for Non-Oncology research at RBHS. The first phase began in February 2021 and includes the NJMS Clinical Research Unit and the NJMS Infectious Disease clinical research group. The second phase will involve extension of the system to the RWJMS Clinical Research Centers, followed by additional clinical research groups on both campuses. 

Questions? Please visit the CTO website at https://njacts.rbhs.rutgers.edu/clinical-trials-office/oncore/ or contact the CTO at clinicaltrials@rbhs.rutgers.edu. 

If you are a CINJ researcher and need more information on OnCore, please contact Yifang Zhou at zhouyi1@cinj.rutgers.edu. 

BERD Mini-Methods Grant Program

Applications Accepted at Any Time
The Mini-Methods-Grant program offers one-year awards of up to $25,000 to investigators developing methodology in study design, measurement, statistical analysis, and approaches to the integration of quantitative and qualitative data analysis relevant to translational research.

BERD seeks proposals that:
 
(1) Develop innovative measurement and/or analytic methods that identify disparate patterns of disease or identify factors that might be key in leading to differential responses to therapy
(2) Solve health challenges encountered by existing translational research projects within NJACTS
(3) Demonstrate the potential for future independent funding.
 
BERD especially encourage proposals that: (1) relate to studies being undertaken by TL1/KL2 trainees with methodological challenges; and/or (2) include researchers from two or more of the participating institutions (Rutgers, Princeton, and NJIT).
 
Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis.






Questions? Contact Jennifer Zabala


NJ ACTS Workforce Development Core

Spring 2021
Mentor Seminar Series

March 25th and April 20th

Developing the Mentor: Aligning Expectations
Thursday, March 25, 2021
12-1 pm

This program will inform you on how to develop a shared understanding of expectations to establish effective mentor-mentee relationships. 
 

Mentor Networking Series: Aligning Expectations
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
12-1 pm

Join the follow up Mentoring Networking Series on Aligning Expectations to connect with fellow faculty mentors and have discussions about aligning expectations through case studies.


Presenters:
Andrew Gow, PhD, Professor, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
Anita Siu, Pharm.D., BCPPS, Clinical Professor, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy





Questions? Contact Yasheca Ebanks
Princeton University
Upcoming Health-Focused Event

Thursday, March 25, 4:30-6:00 PM ET
Sponsored by the Program in Gender and Sexuality Studies
Speaker: Professor Catherine Clune-Taylor, San Diego State University 
Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) Meeting

March 30 - April 2


Information on this year's conference, “Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges,” is available here.

The theme spans across clinical research and translational science, with an emphasis on diversity, and translational and team science. Attendees will also be able to participate in networking and professional development activities through the meeting platform.

In addition, there are special interest groups (SIG) meetings scheduled from March 29 - April 9. Information on these meetings is available on the page cited above. 
NJ ACTS Workforce Development Core

Spring 2021
Professional Training Session

April 5, 2021

Interested in expanding your knowledge of clinical and translational science? Come join us for a training series geared to the advancement of clinical and translational research within a diverse workforce.


Communicating Your Translational Science
Monday, April 5, 2021
12:00 pm




Questions? Contact Yasheca Ebanks


NJ ACTS Special Populations

2021 Webinar Series

April 16th and May 11th
Friday, April 16, 2021
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Cannabis Use and Perceived Risk of Use Among Pregnant Women in the U.S.

Presented By: 
Qiana L. Brown, PhD, MPH, LCSW

Prenatal cannabis use has increased over the past decade, despite potential risks to maternal and child health. This seminar examines the relationship between cannabis use and perceived risk of cannabis use among pregnant women in the US.

Tuesday, May 11, 2021
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder and Peer Health Navigation for Persons Leaving NJ State Prisons and Returning to the Community – Early Findings 

Presented By: 
Donald (Rusty) Reeves, MD
Peter Treitler, MSW
 
Risk of relapse and adverse health events is high following prison release, with risk of fatal overdose 129 times greater in the 2 weeks post-release than in the general population. During this seminar, the presenters will discuss early findings from their mixed-methods studies on the implementation and outcomes of two novel interventions to reduce harm: pre-release medication for opioid use disorder and the Intensive Recovery Treatment Support (IRTS) peer health navigator program.

Zoom Link and Flyer Coming Soon!

Introducing the New Jersey
Practice-Based Research Network

June 3-4, 2021

The New Jersey Practice-Based Research Network is a new initiative to increase the presence of New Jersey clinical practices in academic research. Join us to mark the launch of the network, bringing together clinicians, researchers, and leaders across the country.

DAY 1: 10 am - 1 pm ET Thursday, June 3, 2021
Welcome:
XinQi Dong, MD, MPH, Director, Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research & Henry Rutgers Distinguished Professor of Population Health Sciences

Keynotes:
• Shereef Elnahal, MD, MBA, President & CEO, University Hospital Newark & former commissioner, New Jersey Department of Health
• Andy Anderson, MD, President & CEO, RWJBH Medical Group

DAY 2: 10 am - 1 pm ET Friday, June 4, 2021
Welcome:
• Ann M. Nguyen, PhD, MPH, Director, NJPBRN
• Rey A. Panettieri, Jr, MD, Director, Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science & Vice Chancellor for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers University

Keynotes:
• Lawrence Casalino, MD, MPH, PhD, Professor of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College
• Alonzo L. Plough, PhD, MA, MPH, VP, Research-Evaluation-Learning & Chief Science Officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation



VIRTUAL EVENT | CME CREDITS AVAILABLE

NCATS National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C)

Data Enclave Updates!

NCATS National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) Data Enclave is a centralized and secure data platform, featuring powerful analytics capabilities for online discovery, visualization and collaboration. The data are robust in scale and scope and are transformed into a harmonized data set to help academic researchers, clinicians, and citizen scientists study COVID 19.

N3C recently updated it's Dashboard, Phenotype Tool and External Datasets. Additionally, it is now offering Orientation Sessions, Domain Teams and other ways to get involved.




‌
NJ ACTS Publications
Kelly C. Young-Wolff; Lynn D. Silver; Qiana L. Brown. JAMA Network Open, February 25, 2021.

Lisa Cooper, Irene Lee, Doreen Waldron Lechner. Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 March 2021, pp. 1-20
NJ ACTS is a partnership between Rutgers, NJIT and Princeton, NJ ACTS advances clinical and translational science to develop new therapies and treatments and improve population health.
Components
  • Administrative Core
  • Informatics
  • Community Engagement
  • Team and Collaborative Science
  • Pilots
  • Workforce Development
  • Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD)
  • Regulatory Knowledge and Support
  • Special Populations
  • Patient Clinical Interactions
  • Network Recruitment
  • Trial Innovation
  • Biomarkers
  • Machine Learning
  • Career Development (KL2)
  • Training (TL1)