ReSearch ReSource

September 2018

Dear Colleagues:

In this issue of ReSearch ReSource we highlight important information for all research faculty and specifically call out timely news for animal users, update you on our continuing efforts to improve industry-sponsored clinical trial processes, and provide information about the Parnassus Faculty Meet-Up scheduled for October 1.

Also, this week UCSF celebrates National Postdoc Appreciation Week. Postdocs play a crucial role in our research enterprise by bringing their talents, advanced skills, and fresh ideas to our labs. Please join me in appreciating those you know, recognizing the many important contributions each makes to our campus community, and attending “Postdoc Slam” on September 26.

Thank you for reading.

Regards,
Vice Chancellor Lindsey Criswell

All Animal Users! AAALAC Accreditation Site Visit at UCSF:

As we prepare for the upcoming 2018 AAALAC site visit October 15-18, full engagement of all UCSF animal users is essential for ensuring a successful visit outcome and, more importantly, to continue maintaining an environment for an effective synergy between research and animal care.

The site visit will include many lab visits and interviews to evaluate researcher practices in ensuring both animal welfare and laboratory safety. To help your research group prepare for the site visit, please complete the following steps by the end of September:

  • Complete this self-evaluation checklist for each of your respective laboratories.
  • Use the completed checklist to identify any gaps in lab processes and practices that you may have.
  • Share the results with all of your lab members and discuss how any deficiencies will be corrected.

We have also added additional times for the pre-AAALAC Town Hall reviews. Attendance at these one-hour sessions is mandatory for all animal users, and the IACUC has sent a targeted email to those who have not yet attended. See the IACUC website for times and locations.

Improving Industry-Sponsored Clinical Trial Processes:

At the first meeting of the “Industry-Sponsored Clinical Trials Process Improvement Task Force” on August 20, we focused on the need to adequately collect and share metrics about the time it takes from the point of inception until a trial is approved to be opened.  Specifically, small work teams will be moving forward to accomplish the following two actions as top priorities:

Action Item #1 - Capture Clear Process Data. Capture outward facing data and internal data. We will also consider how to capture “process time” when a pending trial’s approval request is with the industry sponsor or with the investigator.

Action Item #2 - Share Data with PIs in a Dashboard. Integrate data to track cycle time with a dashboard to show PIs the status of each trial activation request in the approval pipeline.

Upcoming Events:

  • Parnassus Research Faculty Meet-Up 2018 - Things are happening at Parnassus! Want to know more? Want to help shape the future of the campus? Want to raise concerns or ideas that should be discussed? Come to the October Faculty Meet-Up:

Nursing Mezzanine Lounge (above Ladle & Leaf)
Monday, October 1 (following Alex Pollen’s Parnassus Faculty Lunch Seminar)
1:00 - 2:00p.m. (space reserved until 3pm)
Host: Mark Ansel, PhD

Hear flash talks and share progress updates and ideas on:

  • The Parnassus Master Plan - an emerging vision and opportunity for faculty engagement.
  • Co-Labs - What are they? How will they work for you?
  • Parnassus research programs and initiatives - What’s new? How to connect?
  • Future Parnassus Meet-Up dates and topics.
  • Clinical Data Colloquium for Research 2018 – Join us October 4 at the Mission Bay Conference Center for a follow up to last year's Colloquium! We have planned an informative full day event this year, including a morning plenary session, lunch, and afternoon break-out sessions.
  • Save the Date! Research-Related Resources (3Rs) Symposium – Are you new to research at UCSF? Save December 3 for the inaugural Research-Related Resources (3Rs) Symposium, where over 25 UCSF research providers will provide a day-long, deep dive into resources available to assist your research mission.

Research Funding Opportunities:

  • T32 Grant Renewals due – Submission Deadline: September 25! For assistance with developing T32 renewal grant tables, contact Halima Mohammed Todd.
  • Top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Awards nominations open – These awards honor outstanding achievements in clinical research and major advances in the biomedical field resulting from the nation’s investment in health and welfare. The top three winners receive a monetary award, and all ten receive travel stipends to attend the Clinical Research Forum annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Nomination deadline: November 12.
  • CTSA Program Collaborative Innovation Awards – These awards (PAR 18-244) + (PAR 18-245) are limited competition funding opportunities for investigators from CTSA institutions designed to stimulate team-based research across the program’s network. Grant deadlines: November 9 (PAR 18-244) and November 29 (PAR 18-245) for those interested.
  • Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute funding available – PCORI was established to fund research that can help patients and those who care for them make better-informed decisions about the healthcare choices they face every day, guided by those who will use that information. Funding opportunities now open.
  • Team Science Program – The TSP fosters and supports team science efforts across and between our campus and with other partners. The September calendar of team-building events covering a broad swath of topics is now available.

Research Highlights:

Infrastructure and Operations:

Trainings and Tools: