We are thrilled to announce that our inaugural cohort of nine researchers have successfully completed our Community Engaged Translational Research (CETR) Mini-Fellowship, graduating on February 24, 2026! The CETR mini-fellows came from several Universities across the nation. This milestone marks an exciting step forward in building a community of scholars equipped to conduct translational research that is truly responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.
The Community-Engaged Translational Research Training Program builds capacity among early-career investigators, trainees, and community partners committed to mitigating health disparities through community-engaged research.
Community-engaged research ensures that scientific discoveries translate into real-world health improvements. By involving community members, patients, and local organizations as active partners—not merely study subjects—this approach identifies priorities that matter most to affected populations, enhances trust, and increases the relevance and adoption of research findings.
Community engagement grounds research in lived experience, strengthens contextual understanding, and promotes mutual learning between scientists and communities. It transforms translational research from a one-way transfer of knowledge into a collaborative process of co-creation, yielding discoveries that are more ethical, equitable, and sustainable in addressing genuine health challenges.
The CETR training program develops skills to:
- Forge meaningful partnerships between academic researchers and community stakeholders, accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into real-world solutions that improve health outcomes and strengthen trust between medical researchers and the communities they serve
- Establish frameworks for conducting respectful professional interactions with workplace colleagues, patients, and families
CETR Training Program has three parts
Through our three-tiered CETR framework, fellows progressed from foundational self-directed learning on translational research and community-engaged research principles to hands-on teamwork developing professional skills through small-group learning, role-play, and standardized patient encounters, and ultimately to applied fieldwork culminating in a capstone research project, thesis, and presentation. Woven throughout the curriculum, fellows gained vital training in the principles of trauma-informed care and trauma-informed communication — essential competencies for researchers working alongside vulnerable communities, co-designing and implementing research projects. Understanding how to approach research relationships with sensitivity, trust, and respect is foundational to ethical, impactful community-engaged work.
1. CETR Self-work: Learners gain knowledge of translational research fundamentals. After exploring non-verbal communication, they focus on trauma-informed care and its application when interacting with patients from diverse backgrounds. Learning occurs through didactic materials, interactive case studies, quizzes, and assignments. Anticipated time commitment: six hours, self-paced
2. CETR Teamwork: Through small groups, learners develop and practice skills for fostering respectful professional interactions in the workplace. Activities include completing an elective module, engaging with expert talks via discussion boards, and skill practice through role-playing exercises. Anticipated time commitment: four hours
3. CETR Fieldwork: Each learner completes a mentored field project on a self-selected topic within this content area. Upon completion, fellows submit a one-page thesis and deliver a TED-talk style presentation to their cohort. Anticipated time commitment: forty hours
