The Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) received a $7 million renewal of its Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. The new award will support a wide range of activities to strengthen clinical research at the University of Iowa, engage communities and other stakeholders in Iowa research to improve health, and promote a robust and diverse translational workforce.  

Daniel A. Reed, UI’s VP for Research and Economic Development, views the National Institutes of Health’s CTSA award as a reflection of the UI’s ongoing commitment to turning research insights into more effective health care and to translating those ideas into vibrant, successful companies and high paying jobs here in Iowa. 

“It is a wonderful example of the end-to-end partnership that couples research, health care delivery, technology transfer and economic development,” said Reed.

The ICTS, which first received CTSA funding in 2007, is one of 62 institutions nationally that are funded through the initiative and that form an integrated network to transform the conduct of clinical research in the US. The consortium works together to accelerate the translation of research findings into routine medical practice. 

ICTS Director Gary Rosenthal, MD, said, “We are proud to remain a contributing member of the national CTSA consortium and work with other institutions to promote innovation in the clinical research process. The award represents the culmination of a tremendous amount of planning and hard work by faculty and staff from across the University.” 

Rosenthal noted that he is particularly excited about several new ICTS activities to engage rural populations, to facilitate recruitment into clinical trials, and to promote "big data” predictive analytics that integrate electronic medical record and other healthcare data.