Training the next generation of translational scientists: The Case Western Reserve University Translational Fellows Program.

Biomedical science Education Entrepreneurship Technology translation Training

Journal

Journal of clinical and translational science
ISSN: 2059-8661
Titre abrégé: J Clin Transl Sci
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101689953

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
2022
Historique:
received: 08 11 2021
revised: 07 04 2022
accepted: 12 04 2022
entrez: 2 6 2022
pubmed: 3 6 2022
medline: 3 6 2022
Statut: epublish

Résumé

An important part of biomedical research is the translation of discoveries into clinical or community applications that impact patient health. For a vast majority of clinical applications and sustainable community interventions, a time-tested way to get innovations to patients is through licensing of the technology and commercial development, often through startups. While biomedical scientists and trainees are schooled in discovery research, the processes of commercialization are foreign or intimidating. Further, many trainees will not aspire to a faculty position, and other avenues of advancement are desirable. At Case Western Reserve University, we developed and launched a Translational Fellows Program to provide such training for the community, focusing specifically on graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The goals of this program include familiarizing our trainees with the principles of entrepreneurship, product development, and startups. This is accomplished through study of their laboratory's technology to identify points of translational focus and to increase awareness to potentially move ideas and products toward societal impact. This program leverages much of our existing infrastructure and provides a mechanism for the prioritization of the translation of the technology as well as "release-time" to promote effort. Launched in summer 2020, our first cohort had 3 of the 12 fellows launching startups based on their technology and submitting an National Institutes of Health Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposal. At least 80% reported increased knowledge and confidence in five of six key translational competencies. We are now continuing and improving the program and searching for sustainable support to stabilize the program for a long-term productive future.

Sections du résumé

Background UNASSIGNED
An important part of biomedical research is the translation of discoveries into clinical or community applications that impact patient health. For a vast majority of clinical applications and sustainable community interventions, a time-tested way to get innovations to patients is through licensing of the technology and commercial development, often through startups. While biomedical scientists and trainees are schooled in discovery research, the processes of commercialization are foreign or intimidating. Further, many trainees will not aspire to a faculty position, and other avenues of advancement are desirable.
Methods UNASSIGNED
At Case Western Reserve University, we developed and launched a Translational Fellows Program to provide such training for the community, focusing specifically on graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The goals of this program include familiarizing our trainees with the principles of entrepreneurship, product development, and startups. This is accomplished through study of their laboratory's technology to identify points of translational focus and to increase awareness to potentially move ideas and products toward societal impact. This program leverages much of our existing infrastructure and provides a mechanism for the prioritization of the translation of the technology as well as "release-time" to promote effort.
Results UNASSIGNED
Launched in summer 2020, our first cohort had 3 of the 12 fellows launching startups based on their technology and submitting an National Institutes of Health Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposal. At least 80% reported increased knowledge and confidence in five of six key translational competencies.
Conclusion UNASSIGNED
We are now continuing and improving the program and searching for sustainable support to stabilize the program for a long-term productive future.

Identifiants

pubmed: 35651959
doi: 10.1017/cts.2022.390
pii: S2059866122003909
pmc: PMC9107999
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Pagination

e47

Subventions

Organisme : NCATS NIH HHS
ID : UL1 TR002548
Pays : United States
Organisme : NCATS NIH HHS
ID : UM1 TR004528
Pays : United States

Informations de copyright

© The Author(s) 2022.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Références

J Clin Transl Sci. 2021 Sep 13;5(1):e176
pubmed: 34849252
J Clin Transl Sci. 2020 Dec 07;5(1):e66
pubmed: 33948285
CBE Life Sci Educ. 2020 Sep;19(3):es7
pubmed: 32822277
J Clin Transl Sci. 2022 Jan 02;6(1):e19
pubmed: 35291218
Nat Biotechnol. 2020 Sep;38(9):1099-1102
pubmed: 32887965
Ann Biomed Eng. 2013 Sep;41(9):1803-10
pubmed: 23404074

Auteurs

Cheryl L Thompson (CL)

Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Office of Graduate Education, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Center for Translational Science Collaborative, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Tessianna A Misko (TA)

Office of Graduate Education, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Center for Translational Science Collaborative, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Mark R Chance (MR)

Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Center for Translational Science Collaborative, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Classifications MeSH