Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences

Since its inception in 2006, the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS) has assembled a well integrated, high-impact network in Texas including six academic institutions and two affiliated hospital systems: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTH-H); The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC); Rice University (Rice); The University of Texas at Tyler (UT-Tyler); The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UT-RGV); Texas Tech Health El Paso (TT-EP); Memorial Hermann Health System; and Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. We have actively supported and integrated our partners into NCATS’ national public health initiatives to address a wide range of chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and the effects of stroke, in addition to health outcomes related to national emergencies. Over the past 18 years, our CCTS has supported investigators at 30 institutions from nearly 100 biomedical fields who disseminate scientific and healthcare initiatives that improve population health. By expanding our network to include TT-EP, our catchment area now encompasses over 12 million residents (nearly 4% of the U.S. population). Each partner institution brings unique geographic and demographic characteristics and challenges. In the next cycle, we will expedite the integration of translational science into our entire program by accelerating the output of evidence-based, data-driven scientific discoveries, clinical observations, and patient experiences into effective treatments, clinical interventions, and public health policies to improve health throughout Texas and the United States. Our shared leadership model and partnerships across the expansive regions of Texas will enable us to carry out our six strategic goals: 1) Enhance our robust organizational structure of Cores to support, enhance and expand the impact of our CCTS programs on translational science (Element B); 2) Promote partnerships and collaborations of stakeholders that extend benefits of translational science to all populations (Element B & Module C2); 3) Enhance integration of Dissemination and Implementation (D&I) sciences across our program (Module C2); 4) Innovate the scientific and operational functions of our clinical research units to expand the efficiency, effectiveness, and accessibility of clinical translational science. (Module D1); 5) Foster education and career training in translational science by establishing methods that inspire our growing workforce of clinical research professionals (Modules C1 & D2); and 6) Create and disseminate innovative Health Informatics (HI) solutions to become a national resource for the response to urgent public health needs (Module D3). Our leadership and organizational model, resources, partnerships, and research infrastructure have been strategically planned so that more Americans receive the benefits of translational science, including access to accurate diagnoses, efficacious treatment, and disease prevention strategies. Our mission to improve health for all Americans directly aligns with NCATS’ vision of a world with “more treatments for ALL people more quickly.”