A community of Colorado health researchers and their institutional partners are helping to build research teams of the future, speed the development of new treatments, and improve human health.
Colorado State University is one of several institutions around the state that are part of the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, which is housed at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and funded by an NIH grant. Researchers come together annually at the CCTSI Summit to share their work.
“CSU has been fortunate to partner with colleagues at the Anschutz Medical Campus and CU-Boulder as part of the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute for nearly a decade,” said Matthew Hickey, associate dean for research and graduate studies in CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences. “The center supports investigators in several ways such as with pilot grants, mock study sections, training in translational medical principles, and more. The Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and Health and Human Sciences are represented on the Executive Committee, and, importantly, center membership is open to faculty in any unit at CSU.”
“CSU’s relationship with CCTSI has forged collaborative research teams and advanced knowledge across our campuses, leading to unique programs that advance translational science,” said Sue VandeWoude, dean of CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and longtime co-investigator for CCTSI programs at CSU. “This collaboration has provided opportunities for students, staff, and faculty career development and new discoveries.”
CSU researchers featured
Six CSU researchers from the Colleges of Health and Human Sciences and Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences recently took part in the 10th annual CCTSI Summit which had the theme of “Research in Health Equity and Social Determinants,” with additional CSU faculty serving as moderators for the event. The summit was a day-long CU-CSU conference which took place Sept. 14 at Anschutz Health Sciences Center including presentations and a poster session. The purpose of the summit is to engage researchers and promote new collaborations among faculty and trainees from all affiliated institutions.
“CSU faculty talks at the summit touched on important research study themes critical for diversity and inclusion as well as health equity,” said Hickey.
Faculty presentations
Slides from these six presentations as well as those of additional faculty from partner institutions are available on the CCTSI Summit website.
Session 1 – Challenges and Successes in Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials
This session highlighted clinical trials that have successfully answered key questions regarding social determinants of health, diversity and inclusion, and which have integrated social determinants of health or impacted outcomes.
Engaged Approaches to Advance Environmental Health Trials in Resource-Poor LMIC Settings
Maggie Clark, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Epidemiology, Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Strengthening Community-Academic Partnerships through Radical Relationship
Chrissy Chard, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Department of Health and Exercise Science, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado School of Public Health
Session 2 – Campus Resources for Research in Social Determinants of Health and Diversity and Inclusion
In this session, researchers shared academic, clinical, and community resources available to develop innovative research approaches in populations facing systemic barriers to health equity.
Promoting Community Health and Well-Being through University Extension
Sonali Diddi, Ph.D. – Engaged Faculty Lead, Office of Engagement and Extension, Associate Professor, Department of Design and Merchandising, College of Health and Human Sciences
Session 3 – A Pathway to Policy Changes Impacting Policy and Sustainable Change
The purpose of research in Health Equity and Social Determinants is to understand disparities and affect real change. This session discussed what investigators should know about translating research for different audiences and studying social policies that impact health.
Pracademic Work as Pathway to Policy Change
Molly Gutilla, Dr.PH – Assistant Professor, Department of Health and Exercise Science, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado School of Public Health
Session 5 – Integration of Planetary Health, One Health, and Health Equity
This session explored the contextual connections and relationships between health equity, climate, and animal companions.
One Health in Veterinary Practice–Engaging Students in Addressing Gaps in Accessible Care
Danielle Frey, DVM – Director of Veterinary International and Outreach Experiences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Access to Care: Structural Racism in Veterinary Medicine
Jon Geller, DVM – College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Learn more
CSU researchers who are interested in joining CCTSI or learning more can contact Hickey at matthew.hickey@colostate.edu.
