Translating Health: A Frontiers CTSI Podcast

Hear from Drs. Amy Wilson and Stephanie Kolakowsky Hayner as they discuss their research in making music therapy a part of a stroke patients' rehabilitation. 

Hear from Drs. Emily Hurley and Drew Fox as they discuss why Team Science is important to advancing science.

Hear from Dr. Ana Cohen as she discusses her genetic testing work in rural areas and how she hopes to help families get answers sooner. 

Learn about more pathway programs for students in the area. 

St. Luke's, BJC West Region colleagues, Drs. Amy Wilson and Stephanie Kolakowsky-Hayner, are studying if including music in a patient's rehabilitation post stroke can have a positive impact on their recovery. 

This episode explores how institutional culture shapes the path for researchers by influencing access to mentorship, startup support, pilot funding, and the informal guidance that helps early-career scientists move forward. It highlights that success is not only about individual talent, but also about the systems, relationships, and support structures an institution builds around its people.
 
Guests:
Jannette Berkley-Patton, Ph.D., is a Professor and the Merle and Muriel Hicklin Endowed Chair (Internal Medicine) in the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine Biomedical and Health Informatics Department.
Roy Jensen, M.D., is Vice Chancellor and Director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, where he has led the organization since 2004. Under his leadership, the cancer center achieved the National Cancer Institute's highest designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2022.
 
Resources & Links:
Lauren S. Aaronson Frontiers Pilot Program

In this episode, our guests underscore that curiosity, collaboration, and resilience—more than chasing novelty—are the true engines of impactful research. Embrace challenges, learn from failures, and continuously seek diverse perspectives to advance your scientific journey.
Guests:
Dr. Elin Grunberg is the Roberta D. Harding & William F. Bradley, Jr. Endowed Chair in Genomic Research; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine; Research Associate Professor of Pathology, University of Kansas School of Medicine.
Dr. J. Steven Leeder, PharmD, Ph.D., is Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Children's Mercy Kansas City, where he also serves as Executive Director of the Children's Mercy Research Institute and holds the Marion Merrell Dow Endowed Chair in Pediatric Precision Therapeutics.
 
Resources & Links:
NIH R01 Info
 

In this episode, we explore the often-unspoken aspects of securing and maintaining research funding, drawing on the experiences of seasoned researchers. Early career researchers are encouraged to participate in mock review sessions and connect with program officers early in their grant development process. Building resilience and strategic networking are key to sustained funding success.
 
Guests:
Dr. Sharla Smith completed her Ph.D. in Health Systems and Services Research with a concentration in Health Economics from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2013.
Dr. Nicole Nollen is a Professor in the Department of Population Health at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, co-leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control program within the University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC), and PI of the KL2 training program within Frontiers Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
Resources & Links:
NIH Grant Application Process: https://grants.nih.gov/grants-process
Frontiers Mock Study Section and other opportunities: https://frontiersctsi.org/education-and-training
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: https://www.rwjf.org/
 

In this episode, Dr. Mega Ramaswamy shares her journey, lessons learned, and strategies for staying resilient, connected, and authentic across her career. This episode emphasizes the importance of authenticity, building supportive relationships, and aligning your work with personal purpose. Dr. Ramaswamy’s insights serve as a roadmap for early and mid-career researchers seeking sustainable success without burnout.
Dr. Megha Ramaswamy is Professor and Chair of Health Systems and Population Health at the University of Washington School of Public Health. 
 
Resources & Links:
Women Don't Ask: Negotiation and the Gender Divide: https://tinyurl.com/nf9ajfxj
Dear Department Chair: https://wsupress.wayne.edu/9780814350744/

This episode explores the crucial role of mentorship, peer networks, and strategic relationships in shaping successful academic and clinical research careers. We examine building effective mentorship teams, recognizing unhelpful relationships, and leveraging peer support for professional growth.
 
Guests:
Dr. Taneisha Scheuermann is an Associate Professor in Population Health and is a counseling psychologist by training.
https://www.kumc.edu/tbuchanan.html
Dr. Ann Davis received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and English from the University of Kansas, her PhD is Clinical Psychology from Western Michigan University, and her master's in public health from the University of Kansas Medical Center. 
https://www.kumc.edu/adavis6.html
 
Resources & Links:
CIMER Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences https://cimerproject.org/