Clinical Scholars Visit Amish Research Clinic in Lancaster County, PA by Patrick Brunner, MD Dr
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Spring 2018 Center for Clinical and Translational Science e- e-NewsletterNewsletter Center News James Krueger and Marina Caskey, Representing the Nussenzweig Lab Team, Honored at Translational Science 2018 Meeting By Hospital Leadership which fulfill the translation research Dr. James Krueger received paradigm of going from bench to the Association for Clinical and bedside, have been recognized by this Translational Science (ACTS) most prestigious national recognition. Distinguished Investigator Award for his It is well deserved!” Upon receiving the groundbreaking research on psoriasis at award, Dr. Krueger noted, “This award the Translational Science 2018 meeting would not have been possible without attended by more than 1,100 people in the support of many others associated Washington, DC in April. His research with the Rockefeller CTSA enterprise: has led to a fundamental change in my lab members, the nursing staff, the paradigm for understanding the all other support departments and, pathophysiology of the disorder, and of course, hundreds of patients who this in turn has led to the development directly tested progressively better drugs of a series of novel medications that that are now used to so effectively treat precisely modulate the immune system psoriasis.” and dramatically improve the therapy of the disorder. Each year, Clinical Research Forum sponsors a competition to identify Dr. Caskey Receiving “Top Ten” Award from the “Top Ten” Clinical Research Drs. Harry Selker and Herb Pardes studies reported in the previous year. commented that “The study reflects the The competition is intense and so it very best in translational science: the is a true tribute to the novelty and careful analysis of patient phenotypes; importance of the study led by Dr. the identification of unique clinical Marina Caskey and her colleagues responses to infection; the development in Michel Nussenzweig’s laboratory of novel tools to interrogate the system; that their paper in Nature Medicine the identification of antibodies with Dr. James Krueger with his ACTS Distiguished on their project entitled, “Treatment unique features with therapeutic Investigator Award & his research team, Mary and Prevention of HIV-1 Infection by potential; the scale up of antibody Sullivan-Whalen, Patricia Gilleaudeau & Rita Devine Highly Potent Neutralizing Monoclonal production under the most stringent Antibodies,” was selected as one of the manufacturing controls; the creative Dr. Barry Coller, Director of the this year’s winners. These antibodies design and execution of a landmark Center for Clinical and Translational were developed from patient blood cells Phase 1 study; the collection of the key Science commented “It is wonderful by advanced technology developed in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic that Jim Krueger’s landmark studies, the Nussenzweig laboratory. Dr. Coller continued on Page 9 Dr. Rhonda Kost Promoted to Associate Professor of Clinical Investigation By Hospital Leadership Engaged Research program. In this role At Rockefeller, Dr. Kost has served she has helped build strong ongoing as Research Subject Advocate and relationships with community groups Clinical Research Officer in the Center and connected Rockefeller trainees and for Clinical and Translational Science faculty to the groups to pursue mutual (CCTS). In these roles she has insured research goals. Dr. Kost also leads the protection of research participants the Participant Recruitment Program in studies conducted at Rockefeller, in the CCTS, including the creation including their safety and informed of a Research Volunteer Repository Rhonda Kost, MD consent. She initially served as the liaison with information on more than 7,000 program in addition to ongoing education to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) individuals who have expressed an of the entire hospital staff in evolving and currently serves as a Vice Chair of interest in participating in research regulations covering clinical research. the IRB. She has also co-lead with Dr. studies. Dr. Kost also plays a central Jonathan Tobin the CCTS Community continued on Page 7 educational role in the Clinical Scholars 1 Art of Teams: Leadership and Music By Michelle Romanick Since teams play such a vital role in leadership. Senior leadership, Clinical relationships, especially in cross- translational research, there is increasing Scholars, and Rockefeller Early Phase functional and senior leadership teams interest in teaching team science and Physician Scientists attended the event, where there is often no obvious hierarchy. team leadership. On February 27, 2018, which was followed by a lively discussion It models how sharing leadership Benjamin Wolff, musician-educatorabout the similarities and differences in strengthens the team. It demonstrates the and Director of The Art of Teams lead team leadership between the string quartet important difference between following a demonstration, performance, and and teams conducting clinical research. and supporting. Participants come away working discussion on team leadership, As described by Mr. Wolff, “The Art of with a greater understanding of how to using the string quartet as an example Teams program is designed for individuals listen actively in a team—and then how of an effective team with shifting team who need to navigate collaborative to communicate clearly and decisively.” Dr. Barry Coller introducing Mr. Benjamin Wolff and the members of the string quartet Clinical Scholars Visit Capitol Hill During Translational Science 2018 Conference in Washington, DC By Patrick Brunner, MD During the Annual Translational their presentations, and then met with Discussions emphasized that in order Science 2018 Meeting held in House or Senate Congressional aides on to translate breakthroughs in basic science Washington DC in April, the Coalition Capitol Hill in small teams of 4-5 people. into innovative diagnostic and therapeutic tools for the benefit of patients, a full for Clinical and Translational Sciences Congress decides each year on the (CCTS) sponsored a visit to Capitol spectrum of medical research is necessary, amount of money to commit to National as is the training and career development Hill for junior investigators. The goal Institutes of Health (NIH) research was to make political decision makers of young investigators who are vital for programs. Consequently, discussions tomorrow’s scientific breakthroughs. aware of the importance of clinical were focused primarily on encouraging and translational science. The CCTS, research funding of NIH Clinical and This visit was a great opportunity for represents the Association for Clinical Translational Science Awards (CTSA) members of the translational research and Translational Science, Clinical programs. In addition, since the Patient community to both educate legislators Research Forum, and the translational Centered Outcomes Research Institute and to learn about the legislative process. research community providing a (PCORI), another federal program Thus, the visit not only allowed us unified voice that can speak in support funded as part of the Affordable to convey our translational research of clinical and translational research. Care Act, also supports translational message to members of Congress, Participants first underwentresearch, participants also advocated but taught us to continuously engage advocacy training, helping them focus for Congress renewing PCORI in 2019. ourselves in the political process, because only those who speak will be heard! Translational Investigatgors Visit Capitol Hill Visit to Senator Gillibrand’s Office 2 Rockefeller KL2 Clinical Scholars Tour the FDA By Tukisa Smith, MD The Association for Clinical and Although established under its animal drugs, medical devices, biologics Translational Science (ACTS), a current name in 1930, the FDA has such as vaccines and blood products, professional society that focuses on been in its consumer protection and dietary supplements, and cosmetics, the advancement of research and monitoring role since early colonial times as well as tobacco regulation and at- education across various disciplines and expanded its function of drug import risk prevention. The FDA is organized as well as forming partnerships with inspections in 1848. The regulatory into eight centers with regulatory governmental agencies, the private sector function of the FDA was established after responsibilities in specific product areas, and philanthropic organizations, holds the passage of the 1906 Pure Food and as well as a number of administrative and an annual meeting in Washington DC Drugs Act and since then it’s authority program offices under the Office of the that focuses on the clinical/translational has changed significantly overtime. The Commissioner. research needs of trainees, junior faculty, FDA regulates over 1 trillion dollars’ After an extensive security search, we and senior scientists. During the meeting, worth of products, which translates to 22 toured the pristine 130-acre White Oak members have the opportunity to either cents of every dollar spent annually by campus, formerly the site of the historic travel to Capitol Hill, visit the National American consumers, as reported by the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Silver Institutes of Health (NIH) or tour the U.S. FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb. As Spring MD. In addition to exclusive Food and Drug Administration (FDA). a science-based regulatory agency, FDA’s access to the high-tech laboratories As a consumer, physician