August 2024 Research Bulletin

All are invited to register and join the upcoming quarterly Clinical Research Recruitment Program Workshop, "LGBTQ+ Inclusive Language, Advocacy, and Community Connection", on August 21 at 12pm via Zoom. Steven Burton from the LGBTQ+ Hub and Taryn Bogdewiecz from the Department of Family Medicine will discuss utilizing LGBTQ+ inclusive language in study materials, how to communicate with PIs and sponsors to advocate for inclusive language, and how to connect with the LGBTQ+ community. 

The Clinical Research Operations and Services Workforce Development Program invites the Clinical Research Community to an End of Summer Social from 4pm - 6pm on August 22 at Milieu Fermentation! Join us to meet and mingle with clinical research coordinators, managers, professionals, and colleagues in regulatory and financial roles across campus. One of the goals of the Clinical Research Workforce Development program is to create connections across campus. Hope to connect there! RSVP here.

The CCTSI is probably best known for the pilot grants we make each year. However, part of our mission is to support clinical investigators through our Clinical Translational Research Centers (CTRCs). We provide dedicated, research-only space for clinical studies. Our mission is disease agnostic, and we conduct many mechanistic studies with healthy controls. Dr. William Cornwell is one of the investigators who has been conducting fascinating and important work in our adult inpatient CTRC. Read about his research where he simulates a low-oxygen environment in the CTRC so he may study the right side of the heart.

And as we near the end of the summer, you might want to sign up for some of our fall trainings designed for researchers, such as Leading and Teaming; I-Corps@CCTSI designed for innovators and entrepreneurs; and the Research Studio Program. If you aren’t already a member of the CCTSI, please sign up today so you may access all of the resources and opportunities we provide.

You may have seen the announcement that the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus recently regained its status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Fewer than 600 institutions nationwide meet the HSI qualifications, and we are proud to be among the campuses that were granted this designation by the Department of Education.   As an HSI alongside CU Denver, CU Anschutz faculty may be eligible for certain federal grants for minority-serving institutions (MSI). However, MSI-specific grants can be complicated, and eligibility can vary depending on the funder and what data are used to determine eligibility. 

When considering applying for any MSI or HSI-related grants, research teams should reach out to Terry Hughes before starting work on a proposal. Terry can help to determine if our campus qualifies, as well as any considerations that could impact future grant eligibility. In addition, if you currently have an MSI or HSI-related grants, please let Terry know, so that we can keep you apprised of any updates to our status

The Cayuse program used by the Office of Research Committee Support (IACUC, IBC) and OLAR will be moving from a server-based system to a cloud based system September 3 – September 5. Due to this transition, the system will be offline and not available resulting in the inability to access IACUC and IBC protocols, ordering system, and inventory/billing system. Please see the OLAR and IACUC communications regarding animal order deadline changes and changes to other deadlines during this time. If you have questions, please contact OLAR.Admin@cuanschutz.edu or IACUC@cuanschutz.edu. 

The animal care and use program at CU Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus recently earned continued full re-accreditation and numerous commendations from AAALAC International. AAALAC International accreditation signifies a high benchmark in animal care and use in research that includes an every three-year rigorous review of the program by external experts conducted in-person. We are very proud that the animal care and use program at CU Denver | Anschutz has been continuously accredited since 1973. A special thanks goes out to all of the OLAR, IACUC, and research staff for their hard work and dedication to ensuring the program continues to operate at the highest standards. The meaningful research that will benefit human and animal health could not be performed without your efforts.

The 2024-2025 Conflict of Interest (COI) disclosure period is from Aug 7 - Oct 31, 2024. For personnel hired or promoted into an applicable job code after July 19, 2024, the COI Disclosure is due within 60 days of the hire or job change. For all other covered individuals, the annual COI Disclosure is due October 31, 2024. Anyone with questions regarding the disclosure information are encouraged to submit as soon as possible. For more information, visit the COI website and questions should be directed to COI@cuanschutz.edu.
  
In an effort to expedite the Occupational Health medical surveillance process, we are rolling out a revised medical surveillance program. Based on a risk assessment, in partnership with EHS Biosafety and Occupational Health, we are moving most personnel performing low or moderate risk research to a three-year Occupational Health medical surveillance renewal cycle. Research involving high-risk agents will remain on an annual renewal cycle. To ensure an even review cycle/workload, we have chosen, at random, to convert each worker's renewal cycle over the following years, 2025, 2026, and 2027 for the first year of this change. After the first year of this change, all moderate risk researchers will be on a three-year renewal cycle.  

There will be additional information sent out individually to researchers advising on renewal dates. Occupational Health will reach out to all researchers/research support staff annually as a check in, ensuring there are no changes to research activities and individuals’ health. For those moved to a three-year renewal cycle, there is always an option to opt into an annual renewal cycle if desired.  

These changes will reduce the administrative burden on the research community and improve customer service from the Occupational Health program. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Occupational Health via email or phone (303) 724-9145.

CU Anschutz’s Office of Research Development and Strategy continues to inform directions for quantum and health research through engagements with state representatives and local partners. Dr. Dan LaBarbera represented our campus during Senator Hickenlooper’s recent visit to Atom Computing, a national leader in quantum computing and a partner of CU Anschutz . Dr. LaBarbera also accompanied the Office of Research Development and Strategy to meet with Congresswoman Caraveo during her trip to CU Boulder to discuss the state’s growing quantum industry and the potential to translate quantum technologies to precision medicine and drug discovery. These engagements are an important opportunity to ensure the value of quantum for medical science is at the forefront for those who can advocate for funding and quantum earmarks.

Join upcoming biostatistics short courses!
The Fundamentals of Statistical Literacy course (Sept 4th - Oct 9th, 2024) is an asynchronous course with weekly office hours on Wednesdays, 6-7 PM, designed to enhance your ability to critically assess literature and understand biostatistical issues. The Introduction to Causal Inference in Epidemiology course (Sept 25th - Oct 30th, 2024) features live lectures on Wednesdays, 3-5 PM, focusing on the fundamentals of causal inference in epidemiology. The Fundamentals of Study Design course (Oct 15th - Dec 3rd, 2024) offers live lectures on Tuesdays, 3 - 5 PM, and covers basic clinical trial methodology and public health research. Each course costs $340.00 and provides a certificate upon completion. Enhance your biostatistical skills and knowledge by registering today! For more information and to register, visit our website or contact  CIDA.admin@CUAnschutz.edu.

NIHs Adoption of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support by May 25, 2025
The Common Forms represent a collaborative effort between federal research agencies to ensure standard disclosure requirements. The approved Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support and more additional guidance on how to complete them for proposals on or after May 25, 2025 can be found here.