Frontiers Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the University of Kansas

The Frontiers Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the University of Kansas (Frontiers) continues to be a catalyst for clinical and translational research (CTR) across the Kansas City region. In Frontiers 3.0 we will transform the way we do CTR and ensure that research is rapidly translated to the point of care in a way that improves health for all populations, especially those in rural communities. To do so, we have expanded Frontiers 3.0 partners to include multiple academic institutions, healthcare systems, and community organizations and patient advocacy groups across Kansas and western Missouri. Our new shared leadership structure balances power across institutions.

The overall aims of Frontiers are: Aim 1. Train a resilient workforce that leverages multiple disciplines, frameworks and approaches to stimulate creative, responsive and impactful T1-T4 clinical and translational research. Frontiers cores and its KL2 and TL1 programs provide high quality training, assistance in research design and implementation, guidance in applying for grants, and support for career advancement for all levels translational research trainees. In Frontiers 3.0 we emphasize identifying and supporting investigators from multidisciplinary groups and those with a research focus on all populations.

Aim 2: Collaborate and engage with all communities within our region to ensure that clinical and translational research is responsive to their priorities and achieves better health outcomes. Frontiers 3.0 hosts Design Studios, Fieldwork Nano-experiences, Story-telling sessions, Community Co- Investigator Human Subjects Training and Conferences to support collaborations between researchers and patients, communities, and stakeholders. New advisory groups of community partners and community-engaged researchers provide guidance at all levels of Frontiers decision-making. Aim 3.

Drive innovative, quality, and efficient clinical and translational research across the lifespan that harnesses novel informatics, genomics, team science and implementation methods to enhance delivery of high-quality healthcare in the region. Frontiers reduces barriers to entering CTR by providing unparalleled comprehensive support that minimizes regulatory burden and expedites research. New cores provide access to tools and data for pursuing genomic medicine and help investigators access and analyze rich datasets available via clinical informatics. New leadership in Team Science will map investigator networks, identify gaps, and introduce individual and team- level interventions to help investigators build and maintain effective teams.

Frontiers will accelerate CTR in the Midwest and build a workforce that attends to health priorities for the communities we serve. Our discoveries and new tools will contribute to knowledge for the nation.

Grant Number: 5UL1TR002366-09
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Mario Castro