The Clinical and Translational Science Research Program’s goal is to enhance patient engagement in translational science using innovative strategies and technologies. Over the course of the CTSA award, we will conduct a series of Science of Translation Projects that will be funded at $125,000 per year for two to three years. Two projects have been selected.

  1. Project A: EHR-integrated Patient-Generated Data to Support Clinical Care and Research

    The goal of this project is to develop, implement, and test generalizable methods to promote collection and integration of patient-generated data into the electronic health record to accelerate research and support clinical care.

  2. Project B: Enhancing Trial Participant Recruitment and Diversity using Respondent-Driven Sampling

    In this project, we will test peer-to-peer engagement strategies, normally used outside of clinical trials (e.g. marketing and epidemiology) to enhance enrollment of Underrepresented Groups in rural and urban areas.

    Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) is an advanced form of chain-referrals or snowball sampling. RDS can reduce the time to complete recruitment, and early reports suggest, as referral chains spread through social networks, the diversity of the sample increases.


Priority Criteria

  • The project focus is Science of Translation
  • The project addresses prioritized Translational Roadblocks
  • The project aligns with CTSI and aLHS focus
  • The project follows standard NIH Criteria (Significance, Innovation, Approach)
  • The project aligns with Clinical System and/or Stakeholder PrioritiesThe project exhibits future Dissemination Factors

We are mindful that technology access is a social determinant of health.  To avoid innovation-generated inequities, each project will incorporate strategies that support vulnerable populations such as:

  • Using more accessible technologies (like texting vs. high-bandwidth apps)
  • Allowing family-supported surrogate data entry