In This Week’s Update:

COVID-19 Updates:
- UR CTSI Coronavirus Research Response
- COVID-19 Biobank: Extended Deadline
Case Study: A Single Drug for Multiple Allergies
Webinar: Data Standards and Analysis
OHSP Seminar: Planning Your Informed Consent Process
Translational Science Interagency Fellowship
Data Science Medical Research Forum
Promoting Diverse Representation in Research
TIN Webinar: Virtual Community Engagement Studios
2021 Mentoring-Up Resolution Challenge
Pilot Awards from the Rochester Roybal Center & UR Aging Institute
Funding Opportunities

COVID-19 Updates

Coronavirus Research Response

Since our founding in 2006, the UR CTSI has been cultivating a robust research ecosystem that accelerates the translation of discoveries to health-improving therapies and interventions. In the past year, the UR CTSI leveraged that infrastructure to help coordinate and lead the University's rapid research response to this unprecedented pandemic. Learn about the UR CTSI's coronavirus research response.

Apply to Use the COVID-19 Biobank: Extended Deadline
The deadline to apply to use the COVID-19 Biobank has been extended to Monday, February 1. University of Rochester research faculty and staff can apply now to access COVID-19-positive and -negative serum, plasma or peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples and associated, de-identified clinical data. See what the Biobank has to offer and apply to use the Biobank by Monday, February 1 (new extended date).

Case Study: A Single Drug for Multiple Allergies

Eczema, a common allergic skin condition, often comes along with several other allergic conditions - and it can be hard to treat all of these diseases at once. A recent case study, conducted by URMC Dermatology Professor Lisa Beck, M.D., and UR CTSI Academic Research Track scholar Fatima Bawany, provides hope that a single drug could treat multiple allergic diseases and improve the quality of life for eczema sufferers.

Webinar: Data Standards and Analysis

Presented by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard University, the Data Standards and Analysis webinar will include recommendations for establishing common data collection and reporting methods, approaches to and issues of data analysis and lessons from experts in the field. Register for
Date: Wednesday, January 13
Time: 11:00 – 12:00

OHSP Seminar: Planning Your Informed Consent Process

Join the Office for Human Subjects Protection to learn how to plan your process for gathering informed consent on your clinical studies. As part of a series on informed consent, this webinar will build on the regulatory and institutional requirements previously reviewed to cover important considerations to make when planning for consent during the protocol development process, including considerations pertaining to e-consent.
Date: Thursday, January 14
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Translational Science Interagency Fellowship

The Translational Science Interagency Fellowship (TSIF) program, sponsored by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and the FDA, provides training in both translational and regulatory science. Fellows will be trained in preclinical translational science, technology development and regulatory research and review. This three-year program will enable fellows to build awareness of regulatory requirements into the early stages of medical product development to improve efficiencies in the development and review processes. Applications are due Friday, January 15. Contact Scott Steele for questions.

Data Science Students Can Support Your Research Project

The UR CTSI, Goergen Institute for Data Science and Health Science Center for Computational Innovation are hosting a virtual Medical Research Forum to bring together Goergen data science students with researchers who have data analytics needs. The Goergen Institute for Data Science trains bachelor’s and master's degree students who are interested in working on biomedical and/or clinical research projects. If you could use data science support on a research project with a large data-intensive component, submit your project description by this Friday, January 15.

Promoting Diverse Representation in Research

Though it is a long-standing priority for the UR CTSI, the current pandemic has underscored the importance of promoting diverse representation in research. The UR CTSI can help you integrate underrepresented populationsis – like those distinguished by language, disability, culture, geographic location, socioeconomic status, race or ethnicity – into your research team or as participants in your health research studies. Learn more and request a consultation.

Patient Engagement in the time of COVID - Virtual Community Engagement Studios

This Trial Innovation Network webinar will provide information about obtaining patient-centered feedback from underrepresented groups to enhance your research project even in the times of COVID. The presentation will highlight the transition to the use of Zoom technology, how to address issues of tech-equity and literacy and share lessons learned for effectively facilitating group dialogue in a virtual forum.
Date: Wednesday, January 20
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm

2021 Mentoring-Up Resolution Challenge

Graduate Women in Science is running a New Year’s Mentoring-Up Resolution Challenge, encouraging full-time UR Graduate Students (gender-inclusive) in biomedical, biological or chemical sciences to take charge of their futures by setting and, through mentoring-up, achieving professional and personal goals for Spring 2021. Those selected for the presentations will compete for the chance to receive one of two $2000 technology-related prizes. Submit Mentoring-Up Resolutions to Elizabeth Leverenz by Thursday, January 21 at 12:00 pm.

Pilot Awards from the Rochester Roybal Center & UR Aging Institute

The Rochester Roybal Center for Social Ties & Aging Research (The Roc STAR Center) and the UR Aging Institute are co-sponsoring pilot awards focused on promoting the social well-being and healthy aging of those caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. There are currently two pilot award opportunities: the STAR Constellation Pilot Award and the ProtoSTAR Pilot Award. Apply by Monday, January 25, 2021.