The Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) at the University of Iowa was established by the Iowa Board of Regents in 2007. Home for clinical and translational science, it leverages infrastructure that includes a highly functional Clinical Research Unit that has been active for decades.
The ICTS partners with all 12 colleges on campus and has a special emphasis on working in community partnerships between the academic medical center, local health care providers and the rural patient population. Iowa’s population demographics present an opportunity to engage rural communities as active research participants in the biomedical enterprise.
Our mission is to accelerate translational science through programs to develop the translational workforce, to promote engagement of community members and other stakeholders, to promote research integration across the lifespan, and to catalyze innovative clinical and translational research. These efforts will lead to development of novel therapies and healthcare delivery strategies, the integration of translational research and clinical practice, and, ultimately to measurable improvements in the health of Iowa and the nation.
Translational Science in Action:
Pharmacist Intervention to Improve
Mother & Child Health
» Translational Research Barrier: New mothers often struggle to access consistent follow-up care after delivery, especially those with high blood pressure during pregnancy or without insurance/primary care. Well-child visits prioritize infant growth and vaccination, leaving maternal health needs under-addressed.
» Translational Science Innovation: This pilot embedded a virtual pharmacist into pediatric clinics to support both mother and child. Women with elevated blood pressure during pregnancy received home BP cuffs and text reminders to submit readings. A research pharmacist monitored results, coordinated care if mothers lacked insurance or providers, answered health questions, and reinforced the importance of infant immunizations and well-child visits.
Hao Tran, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Iowa Health Care
» Benefit / Generalizability: The pilot is addressed an unmet need, produced a generalizable solution for a common and persistent challenge, and demonstrated feasibility. 56% of eligible mothers enrolled, participants submitted 82% of requested blood pressures, and all exit survey respondents found the system easy to use. This model shows promise in scaling pharmacist-led telehealth as a strategy to improve maternal and child health outcomes, particularly in underserved and rural settings.
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- Graduate Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science
- K12 Early Career Faculty Development Program
- MS in Translational Biomedicine
- MS in Clinical Investigation
- Beginning and Early Stage Translational (BEST) Researcher Program
- Academy for Research Professionals
- Team Science Training
- Iowa Mentoring Academy
- Clinical Trials Investigator Training Program
- Undergraduate Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science
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- Biomedical Informatics Core
- Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design Core
- Clinical Research Unit
- Engagement, Integration, and Implementation (EII) Core
- Mobile Technology Lab
- Research Study Coordinators
- Regulatory Core
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Principal Investigators:
Patricia Winokur, MD
Marlan Hansen, MD
Administrative Lead:
Laura Jacobus, MHA, MS, CCRC, Director of Operations
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Laura Jacobus, laura-jacobus@uiowa.edu
