Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science

PROJECT SUMMARY – OVERALL The University of Kentucky (UK) Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) has created an integrated home for clinical and translational research which promotes scientific progress and discoveries at every phase of the translational continuum. The CCTS has fundamentally transformed the research environment not only at UK but throughout the health disparity region of Central Appalachia through the development of strong collaborative research networks and collaborations with many institutions in the CTSA consortium. The CTSA program is vitally important to translational research in Central Appalachian communities, which are plagued by extreme health disparities, driven in part by the long-standing economic distress of the region. These health disparities are further magnified by the opioid and substance abuse epidemic, which has greatly impacted Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. The strong research portfolio of UK puts the UK CCTS in a strong position to lead local, regional and national research efforts that focus on the challenges in rural health. The aligned missions of the university, UK HealthCare and the CCTS are to achieve health equity by engaging in highly innovative, collaborative and dynamic translational research to address rural health needs. The CCTS will continue to lead innovation in the spectrum of clinical and translational research while educating the translational workforce of the future, engaging rural communities in translational team science, and working with the national network to advance collaborative research and clinical trials through the following Specific Aims: One, further develop, innovate and transform our research environment to promote impactful science and discovery within our integrated health care system to meet the unique health needs of Central Appalachian residents, including an emphasis on the ongoing epidemic of substance use disorder. Two, lead institutional innovation in the delivery of impactful clinical and translational research that covers the lifespan, fully engages the community and embraces team science. Three, catalyze an efficient, university-wide clinical trials organization which adds value to the CTSA consortium by engaging participants from rural Central Appalachia. Four, foster and enhance a workforce characterized by diversity and inclusivity across all translational science disciplines and populations. The UK CTSA program hub is uniquely positioned in the National CTSA Consortium to foster novel technologies, team science, clinical trial start-up, and cutting-edge translational research across the lifespan with a focus on the Central Appalachian community, a rural area with many of the highest levels of health disparities in the nation. This will ultimately elevate the health and quality of life for people of this region.