UTMB Awarded Prestigious $29 Million NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award to Lead Greater Gulf Coast Translational Science Alliance

The University of Texas Medical Branch has been awarded a seven-year, $29 million Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) from the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) to establish and lead the new Greater Gulf Coast Translational Science Alliance (GGCTSA).

Led by Principal Investigator Dr. Randall Urban, the award brings together four academic institutions-UTMB, Houston Methodist, Texas Southern University and the University of Houston-Clear Lake-forming a regional partnership dedicated to transforming scientific discoveries into real-world health solutions across the Houston-Galveston region.

A New Ecosystem-Focused Approach

A significant barrier to translating scientific discoveries into improved health is the lack of connectivity between the various industries within the biomedical ecosystem, all of which impact health and wellness. CTSA hubs and their partners play a crucial role in bridging these gaps to advance translation.

With this award, the UTMB hub builds on its strong foundation in team science to form an alliance of academic institutions, creating efficiencies and strengthening connections between different sectors of the Houston-Galveston biomedical ecosystem.

This innovative, ecosystem-focused approach will not only yield local discoveries but also generate insights and best practices that can be disseminated to CTSAs nationwide.

"This award allows us to bring together the unique strengths of four institutions to impact the Houston/Galveston biomedical ecosystem," said Urban, vice president and director of the UTMB Institute for Translational Sciences. "By working as an alliance, we can advance discovery, strengthen training for the next generation of researchers and deliver innovations that make a difference in people's lives."

Building on Partner Strengths

The GGCTSA leverages the complementary expertise of its partners:

UTMB Health, a public academic medical center and long-standing CTSA hub, contributes extensive basic, clinical and translational research programs in infectious disease, aging, vaccines and global health. With facilities such as the Galveston National Laboratory and comprehensive training for physicians, nurses and scientists, UTMB provides the alliance with world-class biomedical infrastructure.

Houston Methodistbrings a large clinical trials network, advanced imaging and drug manufacturing facilities and preclinical device prototyping, helping bridge cutting-edge science directly to patient care.

"Houston Methodist's expertise and purpose-built facilities make us uniquely positioned to translate cutting-edge science into real-world patient care," said Edward Jones, president and CEO of the Houston Methodist Research Institute.

Texas Southern University, one of the nation's largest Historically Black Universities, strengthens the alliance through nationally recognized pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences programs, as well as strong community connections that expand opportunities for participation in research.

"We are proud to serve as a partnering institution in the Greater Gulf Coast Translational Science Alliance alongside the University of Texas Medical Branch, University of Houston-Clear Lake and Houston Methodist," said Dr. Rashid Mosavin, dean of the Joan M. Lafleur College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Texas Southern University.

"Through our strengths in pharmacy education, diverse health sciences programs and deep commitment to community engagement, we are uniquely positioned to help advance the alliance's mission of improving the health and well-being of the Houston-Galveston communities we serve," he said.

University of Houston-Clear Lake contributes expertise in educator training, social sciences, social work, mental health and a range of bachelor's and master's degrees in the sciences and engineering. The university is focused on broadening workforce development pathways into translational science and engaging with community partners to promote improved health care outcomes.

"Partnering with the University of Texas Medical Branch, Houston Methodist and Texas Southern University allows us to harness complementary strengths in powerful new ways," said Dr. Glenn Sanford, dean of UH-Clear Lake's College of Human Sciences and Humanities. "Through this alliance, our students, faculty and staff will gain unparalleled opportunities to learn, collaborate and advance their careers-all while addressing the workforce needs of some of the region's most respected institutions."

Meeting Regional Needs

By uniting these assets, the GGCTSA will address critical regional needs, including expanding clinical trial capacity, connecting research with participant communities, integrating disciplines beyond biomedicine and creating new workforce development opportunities.

The GGCTSA is supported by the Institute for Translational Sciences at UTMB and funded by the Clinical and Translational Science Award from NCATS.

"Health outcomes will be the GGCTSA's North Star, with navigation mapped by the specific needs and problems of GGCTSA members and community collaborators," Urban said.