The Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (CICATS) held its first annual “Celebration of Excellence in Research” for its Core Interest Groups (CIGs) on Jan. 28 at UConn Health.
CIGs are collaborative, multidisciplinary teams of researchers working together to advance knowledge and solutions to diseases and health care issues.
The event celebrated and showcased the work and success of each of the 17 CICATS’ CIGs and provided an opportunity for faculty and community based organizations to network for collaborative research projects. The event included brief research project overview lectures by CIG researchers and poster displays.
“This is a very happy occasion to celebrate our researchers and the remarkable growth that they have achieved thus far and will continue to achieve,” said Dr. Cato T. Laurencin.
Current CIG research activities focus on a range of basic, clinical, and translational initiatives on: aging, obesity, biomedical engineering, cancer control and prevention, child mental health, cardiovascular diseases, new pathways to drug discovery, correctional health research, e-health and mobile health technologies, injury prevention, stroke and cerebrovascular diseases, occupational safety and health, personalized immunotherapy, musculoskeletal research, sickle cell disease, women’s cancer, and health disparities.
Rep. Douglas McCrory, a member of the Connecticut Legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus that has funded over the last four years many CICATS initiatives, including the CIGs, spoke at the celebratory event. “I am so impressed with all this brain power, and all you are doing for our community. I would like to thank you all, especially Dr. Laurencin and Dr. Linda Barry for your hard work and dedication to advancing research.”
During the event, Laurencin announced an upcoming CIG funding opportunity to further explore new research collaborative projects. In addition, Dr. Chia-ling Kuo, assistant professor and a CICATS biostatistician, was introduced as a new resource for CIGs who are looking for statistical support.
CICATS, a cross university translational institute, directed by Laurencin and assistant director and chief operating officer, Dr. Linda Barry, strives to educate and nurture established, emerging and future scientists; increase the number of innovative clinical and translational research projects to move discoveries into the community quickly and effectively; work collaboratively with regional and national stakeholders to eliminate health care disparities; and forge new partnerships to create a platform for integration of services and initiatives between UConn, the community, and beyond.
