The 2026 Translational Teamwork workshop series highlights the power of team science and cross-disciplinary collaboration in advancing research. Drawing from the Behind the Proposal series by UB’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute, participants will explore real-world strategies for building effective teams, navigating conflicts, and fostering a culture of shared success. Through personal insights from principal investigators and research team leaders, the series emphasizes practical approaches to overcoming challenges and maximizing the impact of collaborative science.

This workshop explores key principles behind supporting successful teams and creating an environment where research teams can thrive. One of the most senior and accomplished research administrators in Buffalo, Jill Szczesek, PhD, Associate Vice President of Research Administration and Finance, Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences, will share her insights on how to build trust, leverage complementary expertise, and navigate the challenges of Big team science. By the end, attendees will walk away with strategies to enhance team communication and develop processes and infrastructure to accelerate ground-breaking research.

Elizabeth Bengert
Email: ebengert@buffalo.edu