Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Iowa

08/25/2026

A major shoutout to Heather Schacht Reisinger, PhD and team on their recent publication “Perspectives of Private Practice Physical Therapy Health Care Systems Participating in Pragmatic Clinical Trial: A Qualitative Study.” 🎉

In this study, Reisinger and team gained the perspective of four private practice physical therapy health care systems in a fibromyalgia TENS physical therapy study.

To learn more about their research: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42472467/

08/20/2026

Today, we share the research of K12 scholar Banu Gumusoglu, PhD, who is investigating placental vesicles to determine whether molecular signatures are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, enabling earlier prediction and diagnosis. 🎉 ⭐

Dr. Gumusoglu’s work comes from a passion for helping families; “I'm driven to give families answers earlier,” she shared. 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 ❤️

Learn more about Dr. Gumusoglu’s work here: https://icts.uiowa.edu/news/2026/08/gumusoglu-uses-placental-vesicles-determine-molecular-signatures-associated

08/06/2026

Last week we celebrated our final day with our Beginning/Early Stage Translational (BEST) Research Training Program participants. 🤍

Throughout the summer, these ten student researchers have partnered with doctors and researchers to work on projects that match their passions, interests, and goals.

We are so proud of our 2026 BEST Program participants! Good luck with the upcoming school year!

To learn more about the BEST program, click here: https://icts.uiowa.edu/workforce-development/scholar-programs/best-research-summer-training-program

07/24/2026

The University of Iowa Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) K12 Scholar Uzma Rani, MD, MPH, is generating a new model for obesity care in children that better addresses the real-life barriers each child faces. 🤍 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

Rani is doing this by working not only with doctors and families but also with the community to ensure that the care provided is accessible and feasible in both rural and urban communities.

To learn more about Rani’s project, click here: https://icts.uiowa.edu/news/2026/07/care-fits-child-new-approach-pediatric-obesity-care

07/15/2026

This Glioblastoma Awareness Day, we celebrate and recognize the work of University of Iowa Institute for Clinical and Translational Science K12 Scholar Kailin Yang, PhD, who is focusing his research project on discovering new ways to kill glioblastoma cancer cells. 🩶 🧠

Yang is doing this by researching the role of m6A epitransciptome in brain tumor-initiating cells to see if they can be reprogrammed to be more sensitive to radiation and other treatments.

To learn more about Yang and his incredible work, click here: https://icts.uiowa.edu/news/2026/07/researching-role-m6a-epitransciptome-brain-tumor-initiating-cells

07/08/2026

University of Iowa Institute for Clinical and Translational Science K12 Scholar, Douglas Bennion is investigating whether widely used blood pressure medications can be repurposed to protect hearing worldwide.

Bennion's research project is driven by witnessing his grandfather's experience with hearing loss as a young age, and investigating what he could do to help. 🦻 🤍

Learn more about Bennion’s work and time with the ICTS team here: https://icts.uiowa.edu/news/2026/07/repurposing-fda-approved-medications-treat-underlying-causes-hearing-loss

07/01/2026

University of Iowa Institute for Clinical and Translational Science K12 Scholar, Amanda Irish, has always had a passion for deadly infections. Her passion, stemming from reading “The Hot Zone” by Richard Preston, ignited a dream for both treating fatally infected villagers and conducting life-saving research on new strains. 📚 🩵

In Irish’s current project, she is doing exactly that: researching ways to prevent the next zoonotic influenza (animal influenza viruses that occasionally cross from animals to humans) before it starts. 🔬 🏥

Learn more about Irish’s work and time with the ICTS team here: https://icts.uiowa.edu/news/2026/07/how-do-we-stop-transfer-infectious-diseases-animals

06/17/2026

06/11/2026

Recently, The University of Iowa Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) Clinical Research Unit (CRU) underwent an FDA inspection as part of a clinical trial for the new oral medication, Fabhalta, aimed at treating ultra-rare C3 glomerulopathy (C3G). 💊 😷 🎉

Learn more about the CRU’s involvement in this new medication here: https://icts.uiowa.edu/news/2026/06/clinical-research-unit-study-facilitates-fda-approval-c3g-treatment

06/01/2026

Last week we celebrated Debra O'Connell-Moore's final day on the ICTS team ❤️

Deb has been a long-time member of the ICTS Regulatory team, where she has supported countless IRB applications, assisted clinical trial proceedings in being successful, and more. Deb’s impact cannot be overstated, and we feel pretty lucky to have had her on the team. We wish her nothing but success in her new role!

We will miss you, Deb!