June 2025 | Monthly Bulletin

Top row, left to right: Photo 1: ASPIRE Program Manager assists trainee; Photo 2: Two ASPIRE trainees laugh in conversation; Photo 3: Trainees sit in lecture hall for Friday Seminar Series
Bottom row: Photo 4: Students gather in a circle to exchange contact information

We can't believe summer is already halfway over! Just earlier this month, we welcomed the newest cohorts for the ASPIRE and TL1 Predoctoral Programs. Since then, our trainees have been hard at work: conducting research with their mentors, engaging in the classroom, and participating in the Friday Seminar Series to support their professional development. As the end-of-summer presentations approach, we're thrilled to celebrate all the incredible work these trainees have accomplished.

You already have the drive and the patient-first mindset to excel in clinical research. The TL1 Predoctoral Clinical Research Program is committed to advancing your growth through mentored training, coursework, and peer collaboration.

Join a community of early investigators and develop core skills in research ethics, study design, data analysis, and scientific communication.

Take the next step in your clinical research career! Applications open July 1, 2025.

The Bench Fundamentals for Translational Research course introduces fellows-in-training and future physician scientists to the core principles of scientific investigation. This unique three-week intensive format will combine theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on applications to provide students with an understanding of common research approaches used in current scientific endeavors. 

Register by July 1, 2025!

This fall, the Clinical Research Training Center (CRTC) is launching Clinical Investigation Bootcamp, a 1-2 year program designed to cover the core competencies of clinical research and investigation! Get hands-on experience and build your expertise with this collection of 3 courses covering study design, statistical approaches, and scientific communication. Bootcamp credits can be applied toward the Clinical Investigation Graduate Certificate or Master of Science Degree.

Enroll by August 1, 2025!

Join the Future of Clinical and Translational Science with the TL1 Postdoctoral Training Program at WashU Medicine!

The TL1 Program is dedicated to training the next generation of clinical and translational scientists. Supported by the CTSA Program, our multidisciplinary approach provides postdoctoral trainees with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in research and make a significant impact on population health outcomes.

Applications are now open until September 1, 2025. Don't miss this opportunity to join a program that fosters innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence.

The Clinical Research Training Center (CRTC) is currently seeking applications for the KL2 Career Development Awards Program, aimed at incoming or current junior faculty interested in clinical and translational research. This program provides financial support and infrastructure allowing scholars protected time to perform research and engage in formal didactic instruction.

**Beginning this year, we’re excited to offer a dedicated slot for a junior faculty member conducting Population Health Research!

Letter of Interest Deadline: July 21, 2025 | Application Deadline: September 1, 2025

Are you looking to enhance your research with the support of a highly trained, motivated graduate student? The Institute for Informatics, Data Science & Biostatistics and Applied Health Behavior Research are currently inviting faculty to submit part-time research assistantship opportunities for incoming students across four MS programs within WashU Medicine:

If you're interested in submitting a position or learning more, please complete a brief form.

For questions, or if you'd like help identifying the best fit for your project, please reach out to Sara O’Neal.

KL2 alum Suzanne Schindler, MD, PhD, recently collaborated with fellow WashU Medicine researchers to study the safe administration of the groundbreaking Alzheimer’s antibody therapy, lecanemab. As an Associate Professor of Neurology and Co-Senior Author, this study was important for establishing safety protocols for managing potential side effects and identifying optimal candidates in order to expand its use beyond the clinical trial setting.

K12 Psychiatry Scholar Morgan Shields, PhD, was recently recognized for her publication, “Private Equity Ownership of U.S. Psychiatric Hospitals.” As an Assistant Professor at the Brown School, she is leading efforts to examine how ownership models impact staffing, patient demographics, and quality of care. Given the limited regulation of psychiatric hospitals, her study also challenges current systems of measurement on patients’ lived experiences and safety.

In a recent study on hygiene interventions in hospital sinks, MTPCI, MSCI, and KL2 alum Jennie Kwon, DO, MSCI, helped develop a sink drain cleaning protocol for the intensive care unit at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. As an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Kwon emphasized the importance of the study in addressing sink drains as potential reservoirs for pathogens that can lead to healthcare-associated infections.

It’s been inspiring to see the St. Louis community come together to support those impacted by the devastating May tornado. As recovery continues, ongoing support is essential. Whether you volunteer with United Way of Greater St. Louis or donate to the Missouri Relief Collective, your involvement truly makes a difference.

As Manger of the Public Health Data and Training Center, Nicole Fetcho can help you connect with the right date team and discover resources available at WashU. 

Whether you’re looking for tools, networking opportunities, or career development resources, find support and enrich your research endeavors with the Department of Medicine's Clinical Research webpage.

The Bioethics Research Center offers a Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) course which is designed to fulfill the National Institutes of Health requirement for RCR training. Find your next training session!

Please reach out to the CRTC with any questions at: crtc@wustl.edu.

Mailing Address: 660 S. Euclid Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110