CTSA News

Leaders from across the CTSA consortium convened March 2–3 for the Translational Science Impact Summit: Driving Translational Science Toward Measurable Impact, a two-day virtual event sponsored by the CTSA Translational Impacts Working Group.

Guided by a focus on measurable outcomes, the summit highlighted how translational science accelerates the movement of discovery into policy, population health improvements, and real-world benefit. The program emphasized shared methods used across the consortium to plan, implement, and evaluate translational research for maximum public impact.

“Our work is supported by the U.S. taxpayer, making it essential that we clearly demonstrate and communicate its impact to the people we serve,” said event and Working Group co-chair Emmanuel Tetteh of the Washington University in St. Louis Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences. “We brought together experts, policymakers, and community members to explore the domains of the Translational Science Benefit Model: clinical, community, economic, and policy impacts.”

The summit drew 439 unique attendees over two days and featured speakers and moderators from CTSA hubs across the country, along with representatives from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), a public health department, and the faith-based community.

A distinguishing feature of the summit was a three-part, modified Delphi study designed to advance a consensus-driven set of strategic priorities for translational impact measurement, support, and dissemination. Preliminary findings were shared during the closing session, with priorities clustered by importance and feasibility. Key areas for future exploration include embedding impact planning across the research lifecycle and strengthening communication of translational research outcomes.

“As we continue this work together, we’re excited for opportunities to better understand and communicate impact and strengthen a vibrant community of practice,” said Working Group co-chair Kristi Holmes of Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Science Institute (NUCATS).

The summit included a fireside chat with NCATS Director Joni Rutter, PhD who discussed impact from the NCATS perspective, including sustaining momentum and advancing impact-driven research across the national CTSA network.

“CTSA impact must be intentional, measurable, and visible,” said Rutter. “If we want to improve health, we have to design for impact from the beginning, build the partnerships and infrastructure that make translation possible, and clearly communicate what our work is changing for patients and communities.”

A dedicated steering committee of multidisciplinary experts created an interactive program centered on alignment, communication, and collaboration. Sessions focused on practical tools and strategies for measuring and communicating impact using health and economic indicators, reinforcing shared capacity across the CTSA Program.

The agenda also featured a virtual poster session, with posters available through the Translational Impacts Zenodo Community, a repository developed and moderated by members of the Working Group intended to promote ongoing access and reuse of ideas.

“This event shows how eager the consortium is to implement strategies that will result in real impact for our communities,” said event co-chair Amelia Bucek of NUCATS. “I hope people came away inspired to try an innovative approach or collaborate with their colleagues at other hubs.”