Институт трансляционной науки Пенн Стэйт обеспечил 15,7-кратную отдачу от инвестиций и внедрил инновации в сельских районах штата

"At CTSI, we believe discovery matters only when it changes lives," said Jennifer Kraschnewski, director of Penn State CTSI and vice dean for research, clinical and translational science at Penn State College of Medicine. "By aligning scientists, health systems, and community leaders around shared priorities, we are translating knowledge into sustainable solutions. Together, we are not only advancing science — we are improving lives across rural Pennsylvania and beyond." The institute's efforts align closely with the broader mission of the University's academic health system, according to Kraschnewski. "Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute is a vital engine for our research and clinical missions," said Karen Kim, dean of Penn State College of Medicine. "By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and focusing on the unique needs of our rural communities, the CTSI ensures that our scientific discoveries translate into equitable, high-quality care for all Pennsylvanians." Driving measurable impact and innovation The report highlights CTSI's significant return on investment and research productivity. Through its pilot program, which provides early-stage funding to test novel ideas, the institute supported more than 150 pilot research projects. This strategic investment generated $254 million in follow-on funding — a 15.7-to-1 return on investment for every dollar invested. "For the first time, Penn State has a strategic plan with outcomes measures to advance community engagement for significant public health impact, leveraging our R1 institution efforts," said Andrew Read, senior vice president for research at Penn State. "The CTSI’s participation in the creation of this strategic plan leveraged your infrastructure and expertise to expand Penn State’s proposed impact to advance health. I look forward to transformational change supported by the CTSI and your rural clinical network of partner organizations." Cultivating the next generation of translational leaders A strong translational research enterprise depends on well-trained investigators prepared to move discovery into practice. To that end, CTSI has prioritized building the next generation of translational scientists through robust training and fellowship programs. The institute’s Early-investigator training program (KL2) and Translational Research Training Program (TL1) provide structured, interdisciplinary training, mentorship and protected research time. Over the past five years, the KL2 program has supported 13 junior faculty scholars who have published 140 peer-reviewed articles and secured major federal funding, including NIH and PCORI awards. Similarly, the TL1 program has trained 36 cross-disciplinary graduate and medical students across multiple campuses and colleges, equipping them to tackle complex health challenges. To further embed translational research expertise throughout the commonwealth, CTSI offers specialized fellowships. The Implementation Science Fellowship trains researchers to apply implementation methods with a strong emphasis on rural health impact, while the Community-Engaged Research Core (CERC) Fellowship strengthens investigators' skills in building sustainable academic-community partnerships. Together, these programs ensure that effective, evidence-based interventions are successfully adopted in diverse clinical and community settings. Connecting with communities A central theme of the five-year report is the institute's commitment to community-engaged research, particularly in rural areas. Through initiatives like Community-Driven Research Days (CDRDs) and Community Engagement Studios, CTSI brings together researchers, healthcare providers and local residents to identify pressing health priorities and design actionable solutions together. Recent successes include a CDRD in Schuylkill County focused on food access and nutrition, and a pilot program in Northern Dauphin County investigating whether museum-based experiences can improve kindergarten readiness. By partnering with organizations like Primary Health Network and Allegheny Health Network, CTSI is building a statewide ecosystem that removes geographic barriers to translational research resources. Access the full report The full Penn State CTSI Five-Year Impact Report is available to the public. Readers can explore the comprehensive document to learn more about the institute's advancements in implementation science, informatics and clinical research. The work described above was supported by the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, award number TR002014-05A1. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.