Hub Spotlight: Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance
CCOS is pleased to continue our series of hub highlights, celebrating innovative contributions to clinical and translational science across the CTSA Program. Today, we turn our attention to a dynamic partnership driving research excellence and collaboration throughout Georgia. In this feature, we spotlight the Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance (Georgia CTSA).
The Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance stands as a model of collaborative innovation, uniting four of Georgia’s leading academic institutions—Emory University, Morehouse School of Medicine, the University of Georgia, and the Georgia Institute of Technology—each contributing unique strengths to advance health research and improve patient outcomes statewide and beyond.
Emory University, a large academic medical center founded in 1836, brings a wealth of clinical and translational research expertise. Its robust infrastructure supports a wide range of clinical trials and patient-centered studies, making it a cornerstone of biomedical research in the region. Morehouse School of Medicine, established in 1975, is nationally recognized for its focus on primary care and its deep commitment to community engagement and ensuring that the benefits of scientific discovery reach those who need them most. The University of Georgia extends the alliance’s reach beyond Atlanta, using its schools of pharmacy, public health, and social work to drive public health innovation across the state. Georgia Tech, a leader in engineering and technology since 1885, contributes cutting-edge expertise in bioengineering, data management, and systems innovation, powering the development of new tools and solutions for healthcare.
What truly sets the Georgia CTSA apart is the synergy created by these varied institutions. Their collaboration is not just a matter of shared resources, but a deliberate strategy to harness complementary strengths. This is evident in the alliance’s programs and mechanisms designed to foster teamwork and spark new ideas. One such approach is the Blue Sky Groups initiative. These groups bring together 10 to 15 researchers, often strangers to one another, to brainstorm and develop new research projects. Facilitators guide the initial meetings, but the group’s evolution is self-determined, with the freedom to pivot, split, or even “fail fast” if an idea isn’t viable. A compelling example is the Blue Sky Group focused on sickle cell disease, which eventually split into two subgroups: one tackling inflammation and the other exploring cell-based therapies. The Blue Sky model has proven so effective that it has been adopted by other CTSA hubs, including the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Translational Research Institute, and has led to the formation of new research teams and successful grant applications.
Collaboration extends well beyond these brainstorming sessions. The Southeast Regional Clinical & Translational Science Conference, hosted by Georgia CTSA, draws participants from across the region, including the Medical University of South Carolina, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Miami, and the University of Florida, as well as non-CTSA institutions. This annual event fosters new partnerships, particularly among junior faculty and trainees, and features engagement with NIH staff. The President’s Team Science Award, presented at the conference, provides funding to support innovative team-based research projects. Other programs, such as the Translational Education and Mentoring in Science (TEAMS) Program, pair junior faculty and senior trainees with mentors outside their own departments, promoting interdisciplinary growth and collaboration. The EMPACT program addresses the critical need for skilled research coordinators by offering web-based training on topics ranging from FDA audits to participant enrollment strategies, ensuring that research teams are well-equipped to conduct high-quality studies.
Innovation is further fueled by the AppHatchery, an initiative within Georgia CTSA’s Innovation Catalyst program. The AppHatchery brings together students, faculty, and professionals—often from Georgia Tech—to co-develop digital health products that fill unique gaps in healthcare delivery. Notable successes include the Georgia TB Reference Guide, an app now used by the Georgia Department of Public Health; Fabla, which automates data extraction from clinical trial interviews; and TypeU, designed to support children newly diagnosed with diabetes. These apps not only address pressing health needs but also demonstrate the alliance’s commitment to translating research into real-world solutions.
Measuring the impact of such a multifaceted alliance requires a look beyond the number of studies conducted or papers published. Georgia CTSA’s Evaluation & Continuous Improvement team, led by Dr. Eric Nehl, employs advanced tools to assess the broader influence of its work. Since its inception in 2007, Georgia CTSA has supported over 5,000 publications, which have collectively received more than 220,000 citations, 2.4 times the average citation rate for similar papers. However, the alliance also tracks how its research is referenced in policy documents, clinical guidelines, patents, and the media. Tools like Altmetric provide insights into the reach and influence of publications, revealing, for example, when a Georgia CTSA-supported study is cited in a global health report or shapes public health recommendations. Many faculty have found data from Altmetric to be inspiring, as it can otherwise be difficult to follow the impact of one’s own work after publication.
The Georgia CTSA’s commitment to collaboration, innovative programs, and rigorous approach to measuring impact are driving advances in clinical and translational science across Georgia and setting a standard for research alliances nationwide. By utilizing the unique capabilities of its partner institutions and fostering a culture of teamwork and innovation, the Georgia CTSA is not only accelerating the pace of discovery but also ensuring that the benefits of research reach the greater community.
