Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute

The Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute (OCTRI) is a mature CTSA hub that has been accelerating research at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) since 2006. It has a stable, yet nimble, leadership structure that has functioned efficiently during the current funding cycle to meet its goals. OCTRI benefits from the guidance of several advisory groups in evaluation and planning and will use their input to continuously improve its structure. OCTRI’s many effective programs assist investigators and trainees by providing support services and fostering novel approaches to improve health in Oregon and beyond. OCTRI will now build on these strengths, while broadening its reach, to address goals that align with the national priorities articulated by NCATS and solidify its role within the CTSA network. OCTRI has developed nationally recognized programs to build the translational workforce, and will strengthen this base, while ensuring rigorous competencies are met. OCTRI has developed a regional reputation for leading innovation and has incorporated these assets in an optional function with the Knight Cancer Institute that supports the development of new therapeutics. OCTRI has built trust and capacity in research throughout rural Oregon and will now extend these efforts to the Portland metropolitan region. OCTRI’s current optional function has amplified the patient voice in research, and it will now be integrated into the community program in order to extend its reach. OCTRI has led in the development of national informatics platforms and will now leverage those to build internal support processes throughout OHSU to democratize these resources. At the same time, OCTRI has recognized limitations regarding data sharing and will develop a novel optional function to incorporate Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources to translate inclusion of lifestyle and health risk data across electronic systems. OCTRI has been at the forefront of innovative outcome evaluation and will fully implement the Translational Science Benefits Model. These goals will be accomplished by engaging stakeholders, by partnering with OHSU investigators, community coalitions, and business enterprises, and by fostering team science. Through these efforts, OCTRI will become even more essential for OHSU, for Oregon, and for the nation.