Community of Scholars

The CTSI Community of Scholars brings together a diverse and talented group of junior scientists to interact and develop into outstanding, independent clinical and translational researchers. Activities include an ongoing seminar series, professional development and teaching/mentoring. This collegial body provides junior scientists with an opportunity to participate regularly, grow academically and broaden their professional network and become involved in community outreach activities. The Community of Scholars is open to junior faculty and senior research scientists or physician scientists pursuing clinical and translational biomedical or basic sciences research. All members are termed “CTSI Scholars.”

CTSI Scholars participate regularly in Community of Scholars activities, invite and host national speakers, and attend the Annual Community of Excellence Scientific Conference.

Goals:

• Foster an inclusive environment such that new scholars can successfully adapt to the community
• Network effectively among scholars and junior scientists
• Develop meaningful collaborations to accelerate scholars’ research
• Promote inclusion and diversity at all levels of scholarship
• Achieve robust community collaborations focused on mitigating health disparities

How to become a member: 

• Appointed by department chair, research dean, or residency director
• Self-nomination
• Current CTSI K Scholar 

Benefits of membership:

• Grow professional network
• Invite renowned leaders to speak at the seminar series
• Travel scholarships to attend the ACTS Translational Science Meeting 
• Travel scholarship to attend a conference in your research area
• Letter of recommendation for future K grant submissions from the Community of Scholars leadership

Members of the Community of Scholars leadership organization develop guidelines for and lead/participate in the organization of the events including:

• Work in Progress Scholar Series: Bi-monthly sessions addressing research topics to enrich scientific, analytic, and presentation skills
• Dialogues in Discipline (community outreach): Promotes community engagement to reduce health disparities affecting our communities, addresses ways to enhance collaboration, engagement and communication, and improve health care outcomes
• CTSI Distinguished Seminar Series: Talks by outstanding national leaders and experts in the areas of health disparities and clinical and translational science — including accomplished KL2 Scholar alumni from other CTSA hubs — to discuss health topics through the lens of research, outreach and collaborations 
• Professional Development Series: Monthly sessions to enhance opportunities to increase knowledge and further develop professional and interpersonal skills with the goal of becoming a successful and independent clinical and translational investigator
• Teaching and mentoring: Participate in research teaching and mentoring of high school, undergraduate, undergraduate summer students, and MD/PhD students
• Outreach: Participate in outreach activities to enhance and promote careers in science among secondary students, grades kindergarten through 12 

Community of Scholars Seminar Series 
This ongoing series provides an opportunity for attendees to learn about topics addressing health disparities and clinical and translational research. Attendees from all disciplines — including medicine, nursing, dentistry, public health, and pharmacy — are invited to attend. See information on upcoming and past Community of Scholars seminars.