Position: Graduate Students, Pre & Post-Doctoral Trainees, Faculty

Topic: Career Development

Description:

Successful career development grants need a strong research concept, a solid career development plan, and skillful writing. CCTS Grant Writing Coaching Groups can help support you! Modeled after successful formats from the National Research Mentoring Network, these small groups are geared toward senior postdocs writing K99/R00 proposals and junior faculty writing other types of K grants. (Other types of career development proposals are also welcome.) With support from peers and a senior faculty coach with NIH reviewing experience, 4-5 participants will work together to refine their Specific Aims pages, sketches, and career development/training plans.

Current meetings are on Tuesdays at 12 PM (5 openings) via Zoom.

Eligibility:

To participate, you must

• Be a senior postdoc or junior faculty member planning to submit a K99, other types of K proposal, or similar career development proposals like AHA or ALA.
• Have an aims page drafted (no matter how rough)
• Have identified a primary mentor
• Planning to submit a proposal for deadlines in February 2026 (or later) 

Position: Research Personnel

Topic: Mentoring/Leadership

Description:

What separates research professionals who thrive from those who simply survive? Drawing on over 20 years of clinical research experience, Dr. Ball reveals a framework for sustainable leadership growth that begins with you and extends outward to transform your team, your systems, and ultimately, the patients you serve. This session offers a fresh perspective on professional development—one that starts with you and ripples outward.

What You'll Walk Away With:

1. A clear starting point for your leadership journey – Why personal growth is the foundation for leading others effectively.
2. Strategies to multiply your impact – How to equip others and create ripple effects beyond your individual contributions.
3. Renewed sense of purpose – Reconnect with the meaningful service at the heart of clinical research.
4. An actionable growth framework – A roadmap you can apply immediately, regardless of your current role.

Speaker:

Charity Ball, DNP, RN
Director of Clinical Research Education
Co-Director of Clinical Research Operations
Clinical Research Center
UIC Center for Clinical and Translational Science

RC+ Program:
Core Competency #7: Leadership and Professionalism

Contact: Sudeshna De, Lawrie Zhang, ccts-training@uic.edu

Position: Research Personnel

Topic: Clinical Trial Operations/Finances

Description:

The CCTS Master Class seminar series helps clinicians, research coordinators/specialists and other health research personnel develop a better understanding of conducting human subjects research at UIC. These immersive training workshops enable participants to implement best practices for human research subject protection, recruitment, study conduct, and data safety/security.

The Master Class on Financial Management: Post award will be held over 2 days, about 2 hours per day, and will cover post-award and activities related to financial management in the post-award period. 

When: Wednesday, January 28th, from 1PM-3PM and Thursday, January 29th, from 1PM-3PM  

Register for Zoom link! 

*The program will be recorded, and the recording will be made available to registrants for this seminar

Contact: Sudeshna De, Lawrie Zhang, ccts-training@uic.edu

Position: Research Personnel

Topic: Clinical Trial Operations/Finances

Description:

Exploring audit types and their roles in supporting quality, integrity, and compliance.

Speakers:

Erin Vidra, MS, CHRC, ACRP-CP
Director, Clinical & Human Subject Research Compliance
Office of Vice Chancellor for Research

&

Kristen Kitsch, BS, CCRP
Clinical Research Quality Assurance and Education Specialist
University of Illinois Cancer Center

RC+ Program:
Core Competency #4: Clinical trial operations

Contact: Sudeshna De, Lawrie Zhang, ccts-training@uic.edu

Position: Research Personnel

Topic: Team Science

Description:

When working with a research team (or multiple teams), good communication is critical for making progress and ultimately for successful completion of the project. This session will focus on communication, its barriers, and how to overcome those barriers to achieve programmatic objectives.

Speaker: 
Amy Kennedy-Krage, MBA, MSW
Co-Director of Clinical Research Operations 
Clinical Research Center 

RC+ Program:
Core Competency #7: Leadership and Professionalism
Core Competency #8: Communication & Teamwork

Contact: Sudeshna De, Lawrie Zhang, ccts-training@uic.edu

Position: Research Personnel, Graduate Students, Pre & Post-Doctoral Trainees, Faculty

Topic: Animal Studies

Description:

Team Science & Leadership Lesson:

Please join us to interact and learn from a team of faculty members with significant levels of experience leading large-scale multi-PI grants. 

Panelists:

David DuBois, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health
University of Illinois Chicago

Yamilé Molina, MS, MPH, PhD
Associate Professor, Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health
Associate Director for Community Outreach and Engagement, University of Illinois Cancer Center
Associate Director for Community Engaged Research, Mile Square Health Center

Marian L. Fitzgibbon, PhD 
Professor of Pediatrics, UIC College of Medicine
Associate Director, Institute for Health Research and Policy
Professor of Health Policy and Administration, UIC School of Public Health
Associate Director for Cancer Prevention and Control, University of Illinois Cancer Center
BIRCWH Mentor; Internal Advisory Board
UIC College of Medicine

Project Case Study:

Panelists will be asked to respond to relevant questions such as: What priorities or qualities do you consider when approaching other scientists to serve as co-PI's on your projects? How do you manage differing or competing agendas from each of the PIs? What approaches do you use in attempting to bring together multiple agendas on the team? What advice would you share if one of the PIs became unable to fulfill their responsibilities on the project? Describe an example of the most effective multi-PI team you have ever led? What made it such? Panelists will include: Dr. David DuBois, Dr. Yami Molina, and Dr. Miriam Fitzgibbon.

Contact: Sudeshna De, Lawrie Zhang, ccts-training@uic.edu

Position: Research Personnel

Topic: Animal Studies

Description:

Methodological decisions have ethical implications. In this session, unique ethical considerations for different research designs including will be reviewed using case studies, focusing on randomized controlled trials, pragmatic clinical trials, and dissemination and implementation studies. Discussion will explore the space where methods and ethics meet.

Speaker:

Emily E. Anderson, PhD, MPH
Professor, Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago
Director, Regulatory and Bioethics, UIC Center for Clinical and Translational Science
University of Illinois Chicago

RC+ Program:
Core Competency #2: Ethical and Participant Safety Considerations

Contact: Sudeshna De, Lawrie Zhang, ccts-training@uic.edu

Topic: Biomedical Informatics/Data Science

Description:

QUICKSet, or “Query UIC Knowledge Set,” is the CCTS Biomedical Informatics Core built version of the i2b2 (Informatics for Integrating Biology and the Bedside) framework. The purpose of this tool is to allow researchers to access de-identified clinical data from the UI Health system to obtain aggregate patient counts. QUICKSet can facilitate a study by helping researchers to quickly establish the feasibility of carrying out a research study or clinical trial, work through hypothesis creation by continually modifying their own searches, and to identify potential cohorts for clinical trials.

Completion of this training module is required to gain access to the QUICKSet system. To request a consultation or supplementary service at CCTS, please visit Research Ally.

Topic: Human Subject Protections

Description:

CIRTification: Community Involvement in Research Training is a human research protections training program designed especially for community partners. If you will be involved in research and responsible for recruiting research participants, obtaining informed consent, or collecting data, this training is for you.  This course will cover:

• Introduction to Research: The basic terminology, activities, and people involved in research and various ethical considerations.
• Research History: Some research abuses that have happened in the past and the rules we have now to prevent those abuses.  This module also introduces the goals of community engagement in research and the important responsibilities shared by community research partners.
• Eligibility & Recruitment: The importance of adhering to study inclusion/exclusion criteria and best practices identifying and recruiting research participants.
• Informed Consent: The key components of informed consent, the kinds of information included in the consent form, how to respond to participants’ questions about enrollment and withdrawal, and discussion of practical challenges and good practices.
• The Institutional Review Board: The people on the IRB, the process of submitting to the IRB, and the criteria that IRBs apply to the review of research.
• Collecting & Protecting Data: How to protect participant privacy and keep data safe and confidential during collection, transport, and storage.
• Handling Issues in the Field: What do to if you suspect a co-worker of falsifying data, run into a study participant outside of work, and get challenging questions from study participants.

Position: Research Personnel, Graduate Students, Pre & Post-Doctoral Trainees, Faculty

Topic: Team Science

Description:

Team Science & Leadership Lesson:

Resolving conflicts with others, between others, and minimizing damage when they are unresolvable.

Speaker:

Renée R. Taylor, PhD, LP
Associate Dean and Professor
College of Applied Health Sciences
Director of MOHO and IRM Clearinghouse
University of Illinois Chicago

Project Case Study:

In this presentation, Renee Taylor shares wisdom on conflict resolution analysis and mitigation strategies from her widely recognized textbook, The Intentional Relationship.

Contact: Sudeshna De, Lawrie Zhang, ccts-training@uic.edu

Position: Research Personnel, Graduate Students, Pre & Post-Doctoral Trainees, Faculty

Topic: Clinical Trial Operations/Finances

Description:

Co-sponsored by the UI Cancer Center, the Clinical Research Investigator seminar series is intended to provide faculty and other investigators with information and skills needed to conduct clinical research at UIC at all stages of a study’s lifecycle.

* Please note that for Winter/Spring 2026, we are creating one registration page for the CRISS seminars from January to June so that registrants can easily keep track of upcoming seminars in their calendar.

1/23/2026 - Adverse Experience Assessment in Clinical Trials 
Dr. Natalie Reizine will discuss the role of the investigator in assessing adverse experiences occurring during clinical trials, and how investigator assessments are integral to identifying adverse requiring expedited safety reporting.

2/27/2026 - Considerations when running a multicenter IIT
Depending on the population necessary for a clinical trial sample size, it may be not be feasible to run the trial only at UIC. However, there are a number of considerations that need to be addressed when deciding whether and where to implement an investigator-initiated clinical trial at additional trial sites outside of UIC.

3/27/2026 - TBA

4/24/2026 - TBA

5/22/2026 - TBA

6/26/2026 - TBA

Contact: Sudeshna De, Lawrie Zhang, ccts-training@uic.edu

Position: Research Personnel, Graduate Students, Pre & Post-Doctoral Trainees, Faculty

Topic: Team Science

Description:

Team Science & Leadership Lesson:

Getting the most out of your professional relationships through an intentional approach.

Speaker:

Renée R. Taylor, PhD, LP
Associate Dean and Professor
College of Applied Health Sciences
Director of MOHO and IRM Clearinghouse
University of Illinois Chicago

Project Case Study:

In this presentation, Renee Taylor shares an integrative model of communication that was originally developed for rehabilitation professionals and is now being adapted for the workplace. 

Contact: Sudeshna De, Lawrie Zhang, ccts-training@uic.edu

Position: Research Personnel, Graduate Students, Pre & Post-Doctoral Trainees, Faculty

Topic: Study/Site/Lab Management

Description:

Team Science & Leadership Lesson:

Please join us to interact and learn from a team of faculty members with significant levels of experience leading large-scale grant-funded projects. 

Panelists:

Robin J. Mermelstein, PhD
Distinguished Professor, Department of Psychology, UIC College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Co-Director, UIC Center for Clinical & Translational Science

Tamar Heller 
Distinguished Professor
Director, Institute on Disability and Human Development
Department of Disability and Human Development
UIC College of Applied Health Sciences

Pauline M. Maki, PhD 
Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and OB/GYN
Director, Center for Health, Awareness, and Research on Menopause (CHARM)
Senior Director of Research, Center for Research on Women & Gender
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
UIC College of Medicine

Project Case Study:

Panelists will respond to relevant questions such as: What are the primary variables that you consider when selecting co-investigators, research specialists, research assistants, and other key personnel for your projects? How much structure do you build into the daily operations of your project and how do you create this structure? Do you leave it up to your project director? Do you create some type of GANTT chart? How do you create and sustain momentum to complete some of the more mundane or repetitive aspects of the project, such as IRB paperwork, granting agency paperwork requirements, and data entry? What characteristics make up an ideal team member, from your perspective? Describe an example of the most effective grant team you have ever led? What made it the most effective team? Invited panelists will include: Dr. Robin Mermelstein, Dr. Tamar Heller, and Dr. Pauline Maki.

Contact: Sudeshna De, Lawrie Zhang, ccts-training@uic.edu

Position: Research Personnel

Topic: Recruitment & Retention

Description:

The CCTS Master Class seminar series helps clinicians, research coordinators/specialists and other health research personnel develop a better understanding of conducting human subjects research at UIC. These immersive training workshops enable participants to implement best practices for human research subject protection, recruitment, study conduct, and data safety/security.

The Master Class on Recruitment and Retention will be a two-day virtual series designed to equip research teams with practical strategies, tools, and community-informed approaches to enhance the recruitment and retention of a wide range of research participants.

When: Wednesday, March 18th, from 1PM-3PM and Thursday, March 19th, from 1PM-3PM 

Register for Zoom link! 

Contact: Sudeshna De, Lawrie Zhang, ccts-training@uic.edu

Position: Research Personnel

Topic: Clinical Research

Description:

This presentation will be an overview of clinical trial designs, with an emphasis on the design of FDA regulated clinical trials.

Speaker: 
Darlene Kitterman, MBA
Director, Clinical Trials Office
University of Illinois Cancer Center

RC+ Program:
Core Competency #1: Scientific Concepts & Research Design

Contact: Sudeshna De, Lawrie Zhang, ccts-training@uic.edu

Position: Research Personnel

Topic: Study/Site/Lab Management

Description:

This presentation will cover a step by step guide to everything that must take place from the first point of contact to the moment the study team is ready to screen and enroll participants.

Speaker: 
Celina Garza, MPH
Study Activation Manager, Clinical Trials Office 
University of Illinois Cancer Center

RC+ Program:
Core Competency #5: Study and Site Management

Contact: Sudeshna De, Lawrie Zhang, ccts-training@uic.edu

Topic: Human Subject Protections

Description:

CIRTification Refresher: Continuing Education

This course is for users who have completed CIRTification: Community Involvement in Research Training and are required to take continuing education in human research protections per their institution's requirements. If you have not completed CIRTification: Community Involvement in Research Training, please complete that course first before taking this refresher.

In this course, we will review key concepts and cover some new ideas. We hope you gain new knowledge and skills for research.  This course will cover:

• Overview of Key Concepts: Review of the research process, the people involved and the tasks.
• Doing Trustworthy Research: Review the importance of following the IRB-approved research protocol, keeping data safe, and protecting privacy and confidentiality. You will also learn how to handle some tricky situations, including problems that may be unexpected.
• Overview of Informed Consent: Review key components of informed consent and good practices for responding to participants’ questions about enrollment, withdrawal and other issues.
• Research in Different Communities: Review considerations for doing research with people from different communities, including people who do not speak English, adults who cannot legally make decisions for themselves, and people who may have trouble saying “no” to an invitation to research.