Goal #1: Advance clinical and translational science

The Wake Forest Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) is thrilled to announce the 2026-2028 K12 Mentored Career Development Awardees. Congrats to our newest cohort: Grace Chao, M.D., M.Sc., Melanie Marsh, M.D., and Bradley Rowland, M.D. K12 applicants were assessed on their academic performance, research achievements, impact of their proposed project, and the potential for future funding. Reviewers also considered the applicant's educational plan, the commitment of their mentoring team, and the level of support from their department for their development.The CTSI K12 Mentored Career Development Award provides two years of support to promising researchers, enabling them to advance their skills and competencies under the guidance of an expert, multi-disciplinary mentoring team. Scholars will thrive within the dynamic environment of a learning healthcare system and amidst the rapidly evolving landscape of academic research.Since the start of the program, CTSI has proudly supported 29 KL2/K12 Research Scholars, fostering innovation and excellence in translational research. Visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://ctsi.wakehealth.edu/education-and-training/k12-career-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">K12 Mentored Research Award webpage</a>&nbsp;for more information about the program’s benefits and&nbsp;<a href="https://ctsi.wakehealth.edu/education-and-training/kl2-awardees" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">view a list of former KL2/K12 Awardees</a>.

Wake Forest Clinical and Translational Science Institute

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Wake Forest University Health Services

Advancing the future of translational science, Wake Forest CTSI introduces its 2026–2028 K12 awardees—early-career investigators poised to turn innovative ideas into real-world impact with dedicated mentorship and support.

Meet the 2026-2028 Wake Forest CTSI K12 Mentored Career Development Awardees

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Goal #2: Promote partnerships and collaborations

The Data Science team at the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI) recently collaborated with multiple universities, as well as industry and healthcare organizations, to publish a <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aeb1178" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">manuscript</a> in the journal Science. The authors argue that real-world health data, like electronic health records, wearable data, and patient-generated data, should be managed as a public utility, similar to infrastructure like water or electricity.Patient-related health data and information is scattered across many separate systems that don’t easily connect or share data, such as various Electronic Health Record systems. This siloing leads to delays in research and innovation, and has limited benefit for patients. The authors argue against real-world health data being managed as fragmented, privately controlled assets."When health data is disconnected and siloed, clinicians and researchers don't see the whole story which leads to missed diagnoses, duplicate tests, and medical errors," said Dario Kuzmanovi?, M.H.Sc., Program Director of Data Science at the SC CTSI. "If we addressed this gap, we would truly have patient-centered care.”They proposed a solution in the manuscript to tackle persistent issues like data silos, patient privacy, and similar challenges. They used historical examples of public utility development, such as electrification, federal drinking water standards, and the rise of the internet, and suggest that adopting a public utility model could improve how health data is governed and ensure it flows where it’s most needed–from individuals to innovative solutions, and back again.The SC CTSI Data Science team first got involved with this project when their program director, Kuzmanovi?, served on a working group with the Principal Investigator Melissa Haendel, Ph.D., FACMI. This working group is called the Real World Data Workforce Development Across the Translational Spectrum and is hosted by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, the entity that funds the Clinical and Translational Science Awards. As part of this working group, they were charged with creating a Real World Data (RWD) needs assessment, resource inventory, and designing a generalizable competency framework. RWD is information about patient health status or healthcare delivery that is routinely collected from various sources outside of conventional randomized controlled trials. The working group explored topics like data collection and provenance, clinical data models, evaluation of bias in the data, and best practices and analytic approaches that support ethical research analytics using RWD, with a focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning modeling. The working group also established a training community to assist with dissemination.In the future, the working group plans to continue their ongoing collaboration through the RWD Workforce Development Across the Translational Spectrum at NCATS.

Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute

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University of Southern California

The manuscript, published in Science, suggests how to govern real-world health data as a public utility.

SC CTSI Data Science Team Collaborates on Policy-focused Manuscript About Health Data

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The Southern California Clinical and Translational Science (SC CTSI) Horizons program was founded in 2025 to promote a spirit of collaboration -- and to fill a critical need. Specifically, the program was designed by several faculty members with the purpose of strengthening clinical and translational research by bringing together junior, midcareer, and senior faculty members in longitudinal special interest groups.The aim of these ongoing Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings, held largely via Zoom, is to ultimately help investigators carry out their research. Meeting formats can include a guest speaker, guided discussions, mini-talks by an expert in the field, small group breakout rooms in Zoom, brainstorming via Mural board, and presentation of works-in-progress. Additionally, there are in-person coffee socials to promote connections on a personal level as well. Overall, the groups provide structured opportunities to exchange ideas, receive expert guidance and peer feedback, and to cultivate sustained collaboration long-term.“It has been quite interesting to have faculty from USC and CHLA come together around a shared research interest. You can see the passion and experience from senior faculty combine with excitement from junior faculty to engage and learn. The variety in background and specialties works to enhance the SIGs and bring together a focused research community,” said Mimi Kim, M.D., M.Sc., Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the USC Keck School of Medicine and faculty lead of the SC CTSI Horizons program.Currently, the Horizons program has advanced Qualitative Research and Clinical Trials SIGs - two areas critical to clinical and translational research. The consensus from USC and CHLA members is that this type of informal supportive space is important to stay connected, allowing USC researchers to connect with relevant pediatric collaborators, and CHLA researchers to connect with USC as their academic home for resources and collaborations.“Turnout and enthusiasm for the two CTSI Horizons groups has surpassed our expectations, and we are thrilled,” said Tamara Simon, M.D., M.S.P.H., FAAP, CHLA site Principal Investigator and Director of SC CTSI Workforce Development. “We believe that promoting more informal, collaborative platforms for researchers around a specific methodological approach is very much needed to share resources, discuss barriers and come up with solutions in a peer model.”In terms of evaluation, the Horizons program participants complete surveys at baseline, midpoint, and after the program to capture data regarding various short- and long-term outcomes. These include increased familiarity and engagement with SC CTSI tools and resources such as the website and Learning Management System on Brightspace, as well as new collaborations between USC and CHLA investigators.Horizons is planning to launch a third SIG in June, with the topic area to be announced soon.

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The program provides opportunities to exchange ideas, feedback, and create collaboration between faculty members at all levels.

SC CTSI Horizons Program Brings Together Faculty to Share Guidance and Strengthen Collaboration

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Meet the 2026-2028 Wake Forest CTSI K12 Mentored Career Development Awardees

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