Welcome Message from the President

Jen Alexander-BrettDear Members, Colleagues, and Research Trainees,

Welcome to the Central Society for Clinical and Translational Research (CSCTR), where we foster scientific discovery, interdisciplinary collaboration, and advancing clinical and translational research in the Midwest region and beyond. As President, I encourage you to engage with our society by joining our membership and attending our annual Midwest Clinical and Translational Research Meeting to experience the value of cross-disciplinary scientific exchange in a welcoming environment.

In contrast to large subspecialty meetings, where it can be challenging to make connections, CSCTR offers an encouraging, collegial, and close-knit environment where your voice is heard and your contributions are valued. Our multi-specialty focus ensures meaningful connections across diverse fields, sparking innovative ideas and fostering collaborations that transcend traditional boundaries.

Mentorship is a cornerstone of our mission. Whether you are an undergraduate, graduate, medical student, resident, fellow, research staff, or faculty member, you will find society leadership and affiliated senior faculty are dedicated mentors and eager to connect and guide you, share expertise, and help navigate the complexities of clinical and translational research. New areas of focus aimed at expanding the reach of our mission include partnering with Clinical and Translational Science Award programs, as well as highlighting Industry-Academic partnerships. Our meeting program this year leans in on these high-yield initiatives designed to support career development and networking for our members and attendees.

On that note, we take pride in recognizing and supporting excellence through a variety of awards designed to spotlight and support the success of next-generation research leaders. These awards, celebrated at our Midwest Clinical and Translational Research Meeting, reflect our commitment to fostering growth and celebrating the achievements of our membership.

Our annual meeting, held in partnership with the Midwest American Federation of Medical Research (AFMR) since 1969, offers a comprehensive and multidisciplinary program designed to inspire professional development, collaboration, and innovation. Key highlights include:

  • Catalyzing Collaboration with Industry-Academic Partnerships: Join us again for this highly regarded session that explores innovative collaborations between academia and industry aimed at accelerating research breakthroughs. Presented by industry leaders and moderated by CSCTR leadership.
  • Moderated Poster Presentations: by popular demand, Poster Professors are back! Explore a wide array of research topics during dynamic poster sessions, moderated by a team of Poster Professors who will actively facilitate engagement with each and every poster presented. No worries about recruiting an audience, you’re guaranteed engagement at this meeting! Experienced moderators will guide discussions, pose thought-provoking questions, and enhance the exchange of ideas, providing an enriched platform for direct interaction with researchers and deeper exploration of cutting-edge studies.
  • Oral Abstract Sessions and Awards: Immerse yourself in a series of compelling oral presentations featuring the top-scoring abstracts selected by our blinded peer-review abstract committee for their excellence and innovation.
  • Expert lectures and Keynote sessions: Attend transformative lectures, including the prestigious CSCTR Hickam Lecture and the AFMR Keynote, along with themed Max Miller Diabetes Lecture, Cardiopulmonary Lecture, and Transplant & Immunity Lecture that foster cross-disciplinary discussion and highlight the work of leading researchers in their respective fields.
  • Implementation Science session: A session dedicated to strategies and examples of incorporating Implementation and Dissemination Science to accelerate translational research pipelines.
  • Career Development and Health Equity sessions: Panel presentations and discussions focused on contemporary and evolving challenges in the translational research landscape and strategies for stabilizing long-term research programs.

Our events are designed to go beyond simple networking, creating opportunities to build lasting relationships, foster collaborative research, and advance careers. Whether you are a student, early-career investigator, or established researcher, you will find inspiration, mentorship, and collaboration at every step.

I encourage you to explore our website and discover the many opportunities we offer. Whether you are an existing member or considering joining, CSCTR is a place where lifelong friendships are built, careers are nurtured, and innovative research thrives.

Thank you for engaging with CSCTR. Together, we are shaping the future of clinical and translational research and making significant contributions to science and patient care.

Warm regards,

Jen Alexander-Brett, MD, PhD
President, Central Society for Clinical and Translational Research (CSCTR)
Associate Professor of Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri