This August, former CICATS Research Assistant Yu-Bo Wang will become assistant professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Clemson University. Dr. Wang credits his experience at CICATS for shaping his career path.

“In June of 2012 I received one of the best birthday gifts in my life from Professor Grady, Director of CICATS Biostatistic Center,” said Dr. Wang. “It was an email offering a research assistant position in CICATS. Till today, I still remember that excitement when seeing his message. This unique 4-year experience (2012-2016) enriched my Ph.D. life and keeps influencing my road of research for good. I benefited greatly from the consulting skills and attitudes that Professor Grady taught me. During this period, I was exposed to different applications of statistics and was trained to work independently with physicians. Additionally, CICATS staff are incredibly kind and always gave me good advice when I faced difficulty. CICATS was my leaping point and without that experience I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

Everyone here at CICATS wishes him the best of luck at his new position.

CICATS CEO Dr. Cato Laurencin presented at the recent Noyce Summit which was co-hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Education and Human Resources Program (EHR) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE). The topic this year was, Towards a 2026 STEM Education: Implications of Convergent Science for K-12 STEM Teacher Preparation in the Face of Changing Student Demographics.

Attendees Lisa Thompson and Sharon Cameron, both science teacher leaders in elementary schools on Staten Island and Brooklyn, said Dr. Laurencin’s remarks were “inspirational and eye opening.” They are pictured with Dr. Laurencin below.

The Connecticut Convergence Institute hosts free science cafes with the Kavli Foundation on different scientific topics. Our science cafe series aims to bring science to members of the community in an engaging and informal way.

For this October event, attendees will hear from the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, an Academic Affiliate of UCONN School of Medicine, about research pertaining to fertility preservation for young women and those with cancer, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and screening, advancements in lab techniques of embryo biopsy and vitrification, and more. This event is free and all are invited to attend. Food and beverages will be provided.

Speakers (all from the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services and UConn Ob&Gyn):

• Dr. Evelyn Neuber
• Alison Bartoluuci
• Dr. Claudio Benadiva
• Dr. Andrea DiLuigi

Topic: Infertility: Challenges, Research & Innovation

When: Friday, October 26th, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Where: Butterfly Restaurant,  831 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06119

RSVP: Please use this link to RSVP for this science cafe.

For questions please contact Noehren@uchc.edu.

The Connecticut Convergence Institute hosts free science cafes with the Kavli Foundation on different scientific topics. Our science cafe series aims to bring science to members of the community in an engaging and informal way.

For this September event, attendees will hear from Dr. Thomas Buckley of the UConn School of Pharmacy, about the importance of healthcare access for refugees and the underserved. There will be ample time for discussion after Dr. Buckley’s remarks. This event is free and all are invited to attend. Food and beverages will be provided.

For more details about Dr. Buckley’s research and experience in this area, check out this article titled, Promoting Healthcare Access for Refugees and the Underserved is a Mission for Tom Buckley.

Topic: The Rising Importance of Immigrant Health

When: Thursday, September 27th, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Where: Costa del Sol, 901 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford, CT 06114

RSVP: Please use this link to RSVP for this science cafe.

For questions please contact Noehren@uchc.edu.

In late June CICATS celebrated our outgoing class of Pre-K Scholars. The Pre-K Scholar Award Program is a 2-year interactive program designed to equip junior faculty with the knowledge and competencies to effectively apply for an NIH Research Career Development Awards (K award) as well as become leaders in clinical and translational science.

“The Pre-K program was highly beneficial to me as I completed the last 2 years of my tenure-track position,” said Michelle Judge, outgoing Pre-K Scholar. “The protected time and support of research productivity was very helpful. Using these supports, I have now secured tenure and promotion to Associate Professor. The directors provided fantastic insights for me as I build my own research trajectory. Discussion of day to day struggles to balance being a scientist and keep demands balanced with life was a wonderful support to me. Many of the speakers were helpful with various aspects of research. Overall, I had a great experience in the Pre-K program and am thankful for the opportunity.”

You can read more about the outgoing Scholars on our website. We look forward to following them along their research career paths and wish them all the best.

Special note: CICATS would also like to thank Anne Kenny for her contributions as a Pre-K Scholar Award Program co-director. Dr. Mark Litt will take her place as co-director for the incoming group in July.

CICATS is proud to announce that Tiahna Spencer, M.D. Candidate at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, is one of 37 talented students selected for the Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP) by the National Institutes of Health. Tiahna is a mentee of CICATS CEO Dr. Cato Laurencin.

The MRSP allows medical, dental, and veterinary students to pause their university studies to live on the intramural campus of NIH in Bethesda, Maryland, and conduct basic, clinical, or translational research. The accepted scholars begin their fellowship in July/August 2018.

“I am very excited to participate in the NIH Medical Research Scholars Program, as this experience will afford me the opportunity to further develop my research skills and experiences at one of the world’s leading research centers,” said Tiahna. “I hope to draw from this experience, a skill or life lesson that will contribute to my development into the physician I intend to become.”

More information is available on the NIH website.

CICATS June Science Cafe was a terrific success, bringing together over 60 people including researchers, interested members of the public, school teachers and even some kids! Attendees heard a dynamic presentation from UConn scientist Sarah McAnulty about her work with squid and how friendly bacteria communicate. Following her presentation there was a 30 minute question and answer period with questions ranging from “Why are squid so squishy?” to questions about gene mapping. Sarah also discussed another project called Skype a Scientist, which she created as a vehicle to connect real world scientists with classrooms across the world.

For Immediate Release June 7, 2018

FARMINGTON — The Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (CICATS) at the University of Connecticut announces the selection of Dr. Mark D. Litt as Co-Director of the Pre-K Scholar Award Program.

The goals of the Pre-K Scholar Award Program include: (1) helping scholars develop the skills needed to compete for an NIH K award, (2) providing Pre-K Scholars with mentoring and career development guidance and (3) providing opportunities to connect with investigators across the UConn campuses.

“The Pre-K Program is one of the cornerstones of the work we do at CICATS,” said Dr. Cato Laurencin, CICATS CEO. “We are training faculty to have the skills to effectively apply for an NIH K award while also providing valuable mentoring and networking opportunities.”

Dr. Litt is a Professor in the Division of Behavioral Sciences and Community Health in the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, and also holds appointments in Psychiatry and in Obstetrics and Gynecology in the School of Medicine. “I am excited to have this opportunity to help support junior faculty, not only in guiding them through the application process for an NIH K award, but also in providing career development guidance,” said Dr. Litt.

Dr. Litt replaces Dr. Anne M. Kenny who contributed to the success of CICATS Pre-K Program for several years. He joins current Co-Directors Dr. Lisa C. Barry and Dr. Julie Robison, both of the University of Connecticut Center on Aging.

“The Pre-K program has experienced much success as many of our scholars have gone on to apply for NIH grants. We welcome Dr. Litt to our team and look forward to working with him,” said Dr. Barry.

To learn more about CICATS Pre-K Scholar Award Program visit our website.

For more information contact Michelle Noehren at noehren@uchc.edu. 

CICATS CEO Dr. Cato Laurencin was the keynote speaker at MIT’s 2018 Black Graduate Celebration.  The theme was The Road to 50: Dedication, Perseverance, Excellence and the accomplishments of the Class of 2018 graduates, both undergraduates and graduate students, were acknowledged.

“Dr. Laurencin spoke of a myriad of things, interweaving presentation of his groundbreaking medical research, with words of wisdom and words to live by,” said Michelle Harton, leader of the Black Graduation Celebration. “To this, he shared with us parts of his personal life as he shared wisdom learned from his family, the students that he mentors and supports and, even his creation of the Regenerative Engineering Society. With humor and transformative insight, let me not leave out his experiences as being the ring side doctor for fights, he even shared lessons learned from Mike Tyson. We appreciated all he had to share.”

A report of the event is available online.