The 2026 Southeast Regional Clinical & Translational Science Conference, held March 11-13, 2026, at Callaway Resort and Gardens, brought together transdisciplinary researchers to present the best new health-related preclinical, clinical, implementation, and population-based research and build collaborative relationships. This event was co-sponsored and collaboratively organized by six Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Hubs based in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.
Through a combination of plenary talks, featured presentations, posters, technology showcase and special interest sessions, the conference explored a range of topics related to maternal and child health, chronic diseases and cancer, clinical care paradigms, community engagement, nutrition, artificial intelligence, rural health, workforce development and mentorship. Keynote speaker, Michael Kurilla, MD, PhD, Director of the Division of Clinical Innovation at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, discussed the significance of the CTSA program in catalyzing discovery and accelerating the translation of novel insights to impact health.
The CCTS Partner Network had a strong presence throughout the proceedings. Dr. Holly Horan (University of Alabama; K12 Scholar) kicked off the conference to address her work in collective innovation for maternal health access in west Alabama. Dr. Jennifer Pollock (UAB) and Dr. Jake Chen (UAB) joined panels to discuss how to communicate the impact of discovery and alternatives to animal models in biomedical research, respectively. Dr. Amit Kumar Mitra (Auburn) shared his work in omics-guided prediction for therapeutic optimization in preclinical cancer drug development. Dr. Kristina Neely (Auburn) presented her work examining the impact of remote Hatha Yoga to improve balance, reaction time, and emotional health.
The CCTS is pleased to recognize the trainees, research staff and early career scholars representing teams from every state in the Center’s Partner Network who presented scientific posters:
| Presenter | Institution | Abstract Title |
|---|---|---|
| Christina Baughn | University of South Alabama | Generative Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Education: Translating Learning into Clinical Judgment and Patient Safety |
| Amanda Finn | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Neighborhood Disadvantage and Insulin Resistance in Older Adults |
| William Grogan | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Osteoporosis therapy treatment patterns in adults with muscular dystrophy on chronic steroids |
| Keneshia Kirksey | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Uncovering barrier and resilience mechanisms in pediatric drug resistance: a thematic analysis of Opt4Kids study data |
| Pooja Maheria | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Disparities in COVID-19 therapeutics prescription in persons with and without HIV in the US National Clinical Cohort Collaborative (N3C) |
| Shannon Naher | University of Alabama | The Influence of Physician-Patient Demographic Trust Concordance on COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions among Mississippians |
| Shannon Naher | University of Alabama | Factors influencing Mississippi healthcare workers' encouragement of COVID-19 vaccination among patients: Demographic characteristics and decision-making influences |
| Helen Omuya | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Cognitive Testing of a Deprescribing Evaluation and Quality Improvement Instrument with Older Veterans |
| Bryan Preer | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Prescriptions for oral vs. injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis medications in Epic Cosmos, 2012 - 2025: Differences by rurality, region, and social vulnerability |
| Kayla Reed | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Combating tobacco addiction by Improving Implementation |
| Annie Reiher | University of Mississippi Medical Center | PT and PTA Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions on Engaging Patients about Social Determinants of Health |
| Mohamed Sayed | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center | Chemogenetic Restoration of Cerebellar Endocannabinoid Signaling Prevents Stress-Induced Fear Memory Potentiation |
| Nathaniel Shannon | University of Alabama | Development and Validation of a Health Belief Model Measure for Cancer Clinical Trial Participation |
| Iesha Smith | University of Mississippi | Pediatric Inpatient Clinical Provider and Children's Hospital Administrator Perspectives of a Developmentally Appropriate Care Approach |
| Chiamaka Umah | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Near real-time clinical isolate whole genome sequencing for the investigation of a suspected Serratia nosocomial outbreak |
Congratulations to SE Regional CTS Conference Poster Winners
Mohamed Syed, BPharm, LSU Health Sciences Center (Basic Science Award), and Nathaniel Shannon, PhD, University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa (Public Health Award)
If you missed this event, you are in luck. Save the Date! The 2026 CCTS Translational Science Symposium (TSS26) will return to Gulf Shores, Alabama, from October 28-30, 2026. Click here to learn more about TSS26 and get it on your calendar. Make sure you are subscribed to the weekly CCTS Digest and connected with the CCTS on LinkedIn to stay informed of all upcoming CCTS events.