Center for Clinical and Translational Science
The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) serves as a catalyst for the clinical and translational sciences between the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy and UMMC. CCTS facilitates the translation of basic research discoveries into clinically validated therapies to improve the health of populations in Mississippi and beyond.
The Center for Clinical and Translational Science
is comprised of three units spanning the translational spectrum. CCTS investigators utilize vertical integration in their research directives, utilizing various approaches through experimental models and culminating in patient-based clinical research. The Pre-Clinical/Translational Unit is focused on the development of processes to move basic science discoveries towards translation into research in humans. The Clinical Research Unit is directed by Dr. Kim Adcock and works to implement clinical trials, with a special focus on Phase I trials and investigator-initiated research. Our third arm is a Community/Population Research Unit, directed by Dr. Meagan Brown, aligned to build upon the School of Pharmacy’s strong foundation in Community-Based Research in underserved areas of Mississippi. This CCTS structure provides a breadth of resources in translational research, and we hope to serve as a conduit with established processes for connecting researchers and facilitating the movement of discoveries along this spectrum.
The center has extraordinary leadership of the research units and is uniquely positioned to bring together researchers from the University of Mississippi, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and throughout the region to address many of the health problems that burden our populations. CCTS truly aspires to become a national leader in clinical and translational research, and we look forward to working with others who share this vision.
Priority areas of investigation in CCTS currently include:
- Cardiometabolic disorders
- Cancer
- Neuroscience
- Infectious diseases
- Pediatrics
- Precision medicine
- Community-based research
Goals of the Center
CCTS will support all phases of clinical and translational research by expanding and maintaining a flexible research infrastructure capable of adapting to new research approaches and technologies.
CCTS will promote interprofessional engagement to identify clinical and translational research opportunities and foster the development of effective collaborative teams.
Translational research, by its very nature, demands a high degree of collaboration between basic scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists, public health workers, patients, and patient advocates.
Our Research
The mission of this unit is to develop processes to move basic science discoveries toward translation into research in humans. We provide guidance in the development of Investigational New Drug (IND) applications. We identify and pursue opportunities to develop progressive capacities for in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo, and in silico approaches for evaluating new pharmaceutical and therapeutic agents.
The mission of this unit is to assist with the development of clinical research projects as well as transitioning clinical trials from Phase I to Phase II and to Phase III. We develop marketing plans, standard operating procedures (SOPs), personnel training plans, and policies to guide all clinical research.
The mission of this unit is to develop, coordinate, and facilitate research activities and translation between clinical and community/population research stages.
Meet the Center
Meagan Brown
- Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Science in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Kim Adcock
- Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Research Professor in the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Sheryl Conner
- Coordinator of Clinical Affairs for Pharmacy Practice