CRP builds and supports partnerships with health systems, universities, and public sector agencies in order to promote collaborative research with ACTRI. CRP places equal importance on engaging with community institutions interested in research and actively contributing to narrowing disparities within our science task forces. This work is also seen as a palpable benefit and builds trust among community members.

The ACTRI CRP is responsible for focusing on developing, maintaining, and expanding productive institutional research and training partnerships with ACTRI. This includes institutional partnerships with higher education institutions and health systems in the region that provide health care, train students, and engage in community-engaged research. Led by Edward Cachay, MD, Professor of Clinical Medicine, CRP has developed a partnership process for ACTRI to manage requests for partnership/affiliations.

CADRE provides research immersion opportunities in translational science. CRP have identified a group of research faculty at UCSD who agree to hire CADRE scholars to work in their group on specific research projects. ACTRI will provide vouchers for services that can support these CADRE research projects, such as BMI or biostatistics consultation. In addition to providing employment opportunities, the students are mentored by the faculty and participate in organized training activities like the Clinical Coordinator Bootcamp. The program will support a broad group of college students in sciences who aspire to pursue higher education and scientific careers.

CreAting Dedicated Scientists Through Research Education (CADRE)

• New program focused on undergraduate populations in San Diego County
  • Community colleges through the San Diego Community College District
  • Transferable students at UCSD
• Why CADRE?
  • Many students face a choice between working for pay and engaging in research
  • Many unfilled coordinator positions
• CADRE Program
  • Mentored research work-study program coupled with Coordinator Boot Camps and career seminars
  • PIs provide work-study salary and ACTRI provices scholar facing training and vouchers for PI's as incentives
• Outcomes of CADRE Program
  
  • Clinical Coordinator positions
  • Graduate School 

The program launched in 2024 beginning with new partner institution San Diego Mesa College.

CAB Goals and Objectives:

ACTRI's goal for the CAB is to foster relationships and strong partnerships among community members and health researchers, be involved in the full translational research process (e.g., identify research priorities, identify research questions, study design, study implementation, results interpretation, dissemination, sustainability) and advise on community priorities for discovery.

• Communication: Facilitate dialogue between ACTRI researchers and the community, addressing health concerns and increasing ACTRI awareness. Provide input to Population Science on community health needs, research priorities, and public perceptions of health research. Meet regularly with leadership to discuss strategy, policy, and resources. Strengthen collaboration between community organizations and UCSD Health Sciences.

• Partnerships: Build trust and foster partnerships with community members and organizations. Support Population Science activities (workshops, webinars, events) and integrate community priorities into ACTRI decisions. Strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with community agencies.

CAB Members play a key role in the success of translational research by promoting translational education and research projects and sharing information with their communities. They serve as a bi-directional link between the community and the ACTRI. They work to identify and advocate for the health issues and concerns of San Diego, Imperial Valley, and the regional communities, particularly those with diverse populations and populations typically at higher risk of poor health outcomes. Additionally, they are in the unique position to provide community perspectives on the entire translational process.

Director of Community Research Partnerships (CRP)

Edward “Lalo “Cachay, M.D.