Building Bridges in Translational Research: Highlights from the Advancing Frontiers Symposium
On Sept. 25, the Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative (CTSC) of Northern Ohio hosted the Advancing Frontiers in the Science of Reproduction symposium at the MidTown Collaboration Center. The day-long event was organized in collaboration with the Center for Global Health and Disease under the Department of Pathology at the ӰƵ School of Medicine and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University Hospitals. It brought together clinicians, researchers, community members and students for an interactive exchange focused on advancing reproductive science through collaboration and community partnership.
The symposium was the result of a joint effort led by Emily Hamburg-Shields, MD, PhD, and Assistant Professor of Pathology Christina Farr, PhD, who partnered with the CTSC earlier in the year to bring the event to life. She noted that the CTSC was a natural partner to help catalyze collaboration across institutions and disciplines, creating a space where participants could form new connections in a shared learning environment. “Translational reproductive science—the investigation of pregnancy, infertility, and diseases of reproductive organs—is a broad field that demands multidisciplinary approaches," she explained.
“Translational reproductive science—the investigation of pregnancy, infertility, and diseases of reproductive organs—is a broad field that demands multidisciplinary approaches.” —Emily Hamburg-Shields, MD, PhD
The day began with a highly interactive systems design workshop led by Professor of General Medical Sciences Peter Hovmand, PhD, who guided participants through the process of mapping the factors that shape academic and community partnerships in reproductive health. Attendees worked together to co-create a Causal Loop Diagram that illustrated opportunities to strengthen those relationships and improve outcomes.
Erica Marsh, MD, division chief of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at University of Michigan, delivered a thought-provoking keynote, “Removing the silos and unleashing discovery in women’s health: A new look at uterine fibroids,” which highlighted how collaborative partnerships and community engagement advance research, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for those affected by uterine fibroids.
Participants gathered for a community book reading and discussion of Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong, and the New Research That’s Rewriting the Story by Angela Saini. Each attendee joined small-group, book-club style discussions led by volunteer facilitators. The groups engaged in lively conversations about the evolving role of science in shaping reproductive health.
Scientific spotlight sessions highlighted emerging research from CTSC partner institutions, featuring Jennifer Hill, PhD (University of Toledo), Alexis Heath (CWRU), Christina Farr, PhD (CWRU), and Ofer Reizes, PhD (Cleveland Clinic). These concise, high-impact presentations showcased innovative studies and fostered new connections across the research community.
The event concluded with the multidisciplinary panel “Communication in Context”, co-moderated by Eugenia Sweet, RN, a DNP student at Cleveland State University, and Hamburg-Shields. Panelists included psychologist Erika Kelley, PhD (University Hospitals), Chaney Nezbeth (vice chair, CTSC Community Advisory Board), Jessie Hill, JD (CWRU), Amine Sahmoud, MD (University Hospitals), and Ashley Brant, DO (Cleveland Clinic).
Their discussion highlighted strategies for stakeholder engagement, building and maintaining public trust, and communicating research findings in ways that are both accurate and culturally sensitive—especially when research challenges existing beliefs or touches on intimate aspects of reproductive health. For Delphine Casper, a fourth-year CWRU biology student aspiring to pursue a medical career in obstetrics and gynecology, the conference provided an incredible opportunity to better understand how clinical, scientific and community collaborations are essential in advancing research in reproductive health.
“It was valuable to hear from leaders across research, clinical practice, as well as advocacy, who emphasized how collaboration across these fields can lead to more effective reproductive healthcare," said Casper, who is also a pre-med student. "These perspectives will stay with me as I think about how my future contributions can be most impactful within the field.”
“It was valuable to hear from leaders across research, clinical practice, as well as advocacy, who emphasized how collaboration across these fields can lead to more effective reproductive healthcare. These perspectives will stay with me as I think about how my future contributions can be most impactful within the field.” —Delphine Casper, fourth-year CWRU biology student
Assistant Professor Farr noted, “While the Spotlight Sessions highlighted research conducted by CTSC trainees and faculty and sparked discussion in a less academic, community embedded setting, the other sessions highlighted how meaningful engagement with the community through dissemination and trust building is essential to bettering reproductive health outcomes.”
The Advancing Frontiers symposium underscored the CTSC’s commitment to bridging research and real-world impact. By fostering spaces where science, community insight and open dialogue converge, the CTSC continues to advance the translation of discovery into better health for all.
