SUCCESS STORY

ITHS KL2 Scholar Kristopher A. Kerns, PhD

We spoke to Dr. Kristopher Kerns, an acting assistant professor in the UW School of Dentistry as he was in his last weeks of the KL2 program, about how he went from selling fruit in a grocery store to becoming a scientist doing NIH- and industry-sponsored research, and the critical support he received from ITHS programs and faculty along the way. Read more about Dr. Kerns

HOW WE HELP

Navigating the FDA Maze with Dr. Lynn Rose

Dr. Lynn Rose is known for all the support she provides researchers as they develop regulatory strategies and submit complex applications to the FDA (and much more). For this installment of the ITHS Profile Series, we sat down with Dr. Rose to learn more about her work and the services she provides  through the ITHS Technology Development Center (TDC) and the ITHS Drug and Device Advisory Committee (DDAC). Read more about Dr. Rose

ITHS Recruitment Support Service can Help Researchers Meet DCTI Goals 

As part of the University of Washington’s Diversity in Clinical Trials Initiative (DCTI),  the Institute of Translational Health Sciences (ITHS) has developed a new Recruitment Support Service for researchers with studies subject to the new DCTI policy. This free service provides consultations to help with recruitment and retention planning, aimed at meeting goals related to the new policy. Services include assistance with study design, budget development, input on recruitment materials, and connections to other resources. Researchers and their teams are encouraged to contact the ITHS Recruitment Support Service early and preferably in the proposal or grant development phase to discuss and develop recruitment strategies.

Researchers who are interested in the consult service should contact ITHS: recruitmentsupport@uw.edu. 

A New Way to Track Progress

ITHS has adopted a new program called Flight Tracker that allows us to watch the career progress of ITHS trainees and scholars after they've moved on from our programs. ITHS has worked with the REDCap team to create a server for this program that we are offering for free to anyone with a UW NetID who is following a cohort of people on a long-term. Questions? Reach out to our ITHS Director of Evaluation, Corey Snelson (cdsnels@uw.edu).

Leaf: A Powerful Way to Query Clinical Data 

Do you know about this powerful tool? Leaf helps query clinical databases of nearly any data model for cohort estimation and data extraction, and it seamlessly integrates with clinical databases and existing enterprise authentication systems to unleash the potential of translational biomedical research. 

Why use Leaf?

• Leaf is Flexible: Clinical databases come in all shapes and sizes. Leaf can work with nearly any clinical data model, including the OMOP Common Data Model, i2b2 and SHRINE, or other proprietary or non-standard data models. Add Leaf as a sidecar to an existing data warehouse.
• Leaf is User Friendly: Leaf is designed to be simple, intuitive, and fast. Searching for diagnosis or procedural codes, labs, or whatever you point Leaf to is easy.
• Leaf is Secure: Security of protected health information is critical to any healthcare organization. Leaf implements current best security practices to make clinical data both accessible and safe.

To help researchers get to know Leaf better, Ritche Long and Andrew Leever will be heading office hours every other week to demo, troubleshoot, and assist with query building in Leaf.

If you're interested, please reach out to rlong07@uw.edu for more information.

Connect with Community Advisors Using this ITHS Program 

The ITHS Preclinical Engagement Program (PEP) is a new, free program which uses community engagement principles to match preclinical researchers with community members to serve as advisors on their studies. 

Click here for the PEP Intake Form

UW DEPARTMENT OF BIOSTATISTICS 2025 SUMMER INSTITUTES

Our Summer Institutes will begin in early July. All courses are offered online only (no in-person option).  Subscribe to the SISBID & SISCER mailing list to stay updated about sessions and the event.

• Summer Institute in Statistics for Clinical and Epidemiological Research (SISCER) - July 8 - August 1, 2025
• Summer Institute in Statistics for Big Data (SISBID) - July 21 – August 1, 2025

THE TRANSLATIONAL TURN: A FIRESIDE CHAT ABOUT MAKING BASIC SCIENCE DRUG-READY

Thursday, July 31, 12–1pm PDT

Join OHSU for the launch of their new series featuring real-world strategies for aligning research with therapeutic development. This conversation will highlight how practical shifts in research strategy can naturally lead to new opportunities for discovery, funding and broader impact.

Sanjay Malhotra, Ph.D. and Nabil J. Alkayed, M.D., Ph.D. will sit down for an engaging conversation about what it takes to make basic science drug-ready, from rethinking lab focus to building translational momentum. Learn more about The Translational Turn

Expand Your Clinical Research Skills with the COBALT Curriculum 

With a mix of recorded presentations and interactive e-modules, COBALT provides engaging, accessible learning opportunities that fit into busy professional schedules. NEW OFFERING: COBALT trainings help new and experienced clinical research coordinators enhance their expertise through a flexible, customizable training experience. It covers a broad range of essential topics, from regulatory compliance to study management, and is aligned with the eight core competency domains established by the Joint Task Force (JTF).

ITHS REDCap TRAINING CLASSES

Every Tuesday @ ONLINE WEBINAR!
11:00am-12:00pm PDT

ITHS also offers weekly classes on Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap), a rapidly evolving web tool developed by researchers for researchers in the translational domain. Whether you need to learn the basics or you're ready to take on advanced projects, we have a class that will help you move your research forward. Learn more & register>>

ITHS CDS & CRES SEMINARS AVAILABLE ONLINE

If you missed any of our Career Development Series (CDS) or Clinical Education Research Series (CRES) seminars, you can watch the recordings online. 

Access CDS videos here ›

Access CRES videos here ›

ITHS CATALYST & VOUCHER AWARDS

Do you need to complete a health science project? Are you trying to collect pilot data for a larger grant application? Apply for the ITHS Catalyst and Voucher awards! Designed especially for early career investigators, Catalyst Awards offer just-in-time funds and Voucher Awards offer in-kind service vouchers to help you get your translational science projects finished.

The next deadline to apply for these awards is July 7!

• Learn more about Catalyst Awards
• Learn more about Voucher Awards
• Learn more about other ITHS pilot funding opportunities

WASHINGTON RESEARCH FOUNDATION STUDENT PROGRAM FUNDING OPPORTUNITY 

Supporting students in Washington state to access STEM research opportunities and engage in entrepreneurship

Washington Research Foundation (WRF) seeks to expand its support of student programs by launching an opportunity for nonprofit colleges and universities located in Washington state to apply for funding for new or existing student programs related to STEM research and entrepreneurship.

More student funding>>

WASHINGTON RESEARCH FOUNDATION TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION

Researchers and entrepreneurs at Washington state institutions have the potential to conduct translational research that eventually leads to the creation of novel products and services that can improve health and advance technology. However, before technologies are ready for commercial investment, they often require further technical development, evaluation and de-risking within the research institution. WRF technology commercialization grants are intended to bridge part of this gap between discovery research and commercial investment in novel technologies.  

WASHINGTON RESEARCH FOUNDATION START-UP INVESTMENTS

As a leading early-stage investor, WRF works with entrepreneurs, research institutions, other investors and industry partners to transform great ideas into successful Washington-based businesses. WRF has invested in 132 local startups since 1996.

In-State Focus: WRF Capital is the investment vehicle for Washington Research Foundation. We invest approximately $5 million annually in startup companies based in Washington, with a focus on spinouts from nonprofit research institutions in our state: UW, WSU, Fred Hutch and ISB, among many others. Since 1996 we have invested in 132 local startups.

ANNUAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES - KEEP CHECKING BACK

Montana State University faculty and researchers have access to a vast array of mechanisms to help support their research and creative activities. Resources include internal support and seed funding, along with assistance in identifying external sponsors consisting of federal agencies, state agencies, private foundations, and corporations. In addition, the Office of Research Development (ORD) assists faculty and staff in navigating sponsors’ guidelines, requirements, and submission processes. 

Checkout GrantForward, their new grants database for MSU investigators

BRIDGE FUNDING PROGRAM

The Bridge Funding program provides funding to support faculty to span a temporary funding gap in critical research programs. Maximum of $50,000 may be applied for through the Provost. All funding requests must be matched 1:1 by the applicant’s college/school. Bridge Funding awards are prioritized to support on-going research programs that have lost funding.

Application Timeline:  Fall

HOT NEW GRANTS

Check out the "Hot New Grants" for regular updates don’t forget to check out our main funding opportunities page too!

ARPA-H IS A GAME CHANGER- SEE HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) was founded to bridge the gap between discovery and public benefit by supercharging development though significant financial and management support. 

GRANTS.GOV

Check out the various grant opportunities listed here. 

Dr. Nora Disis Wins Award for Cancer Research

Congratulations to ITHS's own Nora Disis, MD, who has been awarded a 2025 Rivkin Center/CARE Fund Award for her work developing a vaccine to prevent ovarian cancer metastatic spread. These awards are a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership to invest $1M in ovarian cancer research in Washington.