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Clinical and Translational Science Institute Receives $ 59M Grant
The UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute ( CTSI ), a research partnership among UCLA , Charles R . Drew University of Medicine and Science , the Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center , and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , has received a $ 59-million Clinical and Translational Science Award from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences ( NCATS ).
The UCLA CTSI is among the largest institutes of a 60-member consortium established by NCATS to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into effective health interventions that improve clinical care . The intent of the consortium is to harness the strengths of its members in achieving greater health impact than a single institution can achieve on its own . This is the second renewal for UCLA after receiving its first award in 2011 .
“ The importance of addressing and eliminating health disparities is abundantly clear . Diverse health science research leads to equitable health outcomes and plays a key role in tackling pressing medical and well-being challenges in all communities . Our dynamic partnership of four institutions has remained unswervingly focused on this pursuit of health equity through research , and this renewed support from NIH will allow us to continue unabated for another half-decade ,” said Dr . David Carlisle , President and Chief Executive Officer of Charles R . Drew University of Medicine and Science .
The UCLA CTSI was instrumental in the rapid research response to the COVID-19 pandemic , supporting more than 200 basic , clinical , and translational studies at UCLA and its partner institutions . The institute has supported more than 2,100 researchers , which has contributed to important discoveries related to lung cancer and breast cancer , two of the leading causes of premature death and disability in Los Angeles County . During its first decade , the UCLA CTSI has trained more than 1,080 junior faculty , postdoctoral scholars , graduate and healthcare professional students , undergraduates and research staff .
In the next five years , the UCLA CTSI will build on its progress by broadening collaborations with the community as well as with faculty across a wide area of expertise , including engineering , business , and public health .