UM and JHS Faculty and Trainees Take Part in the 2026 Southeast CTS Conference

Published: March 23, 2026

Miami CTSI leadership and University of Miami/ Jackson Health System faculty and trainees were well represented at the 2026 Southeast Regional Clinical and Translational Science Conference, held March 11–13 in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

Hosted by the Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance, the annual regional meeting convened investigators, clinicians, and trainees from across the Southeast to share advances in clinical and translational research, strengthen cross‑institutional partnerships, and highlight innovative approaches to improving health outcomes.

Miami CTSI Co‑Director and MPI Olveen Carrasquillo, M.D., M.P.H., participated in the conference as CTSI hub leadership representation, reinforcing the University of Miami’s ongoing role in regional and national translational science efforts.

Additionally, the hub’s program officer, Francisco J. Leyva, M.D, Ph.D., Sc.M., of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), gave a featured talk on the, “Use of Community Real World Data to Inform Patient Care.”

Dr. Leyva noted that experts from many fields united as a single translational science community — collectively applying their expertise to benefit the community and bring NCATS principles to life.

Several University of Miami / Jackson Health System researchers delivered featured scientific talks and participated in panel discussions during the meeting.

• Ashutosh Agarwal, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, presented “Human Organs and Organoids on Chips.”
• Suhrud Rajguru, Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Otolaryngology, presented, “Noise-Induced Hearing Loss as a Driver of Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis.”
• Zane Zeier, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, served as a panelist, engaging with fellow investigators in a discussion around “Alternatives to Animal Models for Biomedical Research.”
• Sara Cortes, M.D., Pediatric Emergency Medicine Specialist at Jackson Health System, gave a presentation on, “Are Families Discharged from the Pediatric Emergency Department Aware of Quick Response (QR) Codes?”

Their presentations contributed to conference tracks focused on innovation, emerging methodologies, and translational impact.

Representing the next generation of translational scientists, Emma Herbach, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow working under Miami CTSI Co-Director and MPI Erin Kobetz, Ph.D., M.P.H., presented a poster titled “Development of a Community‑Based Collaborative Study to Understand & Mitigate Manifestations of Structural Racism in Cancer Care Settings.”

Dr. Herbach’s poster described a collaborative, community-based research effort focused on understanding the experiences of breast and gynecologic cancer survivors in South Florida. “Cancer survivors from the community were key members of our research team, helping us to design the study, recruit participants, and collect data,” said Dr. Herbach.

According to conference organizers, a defining feature this year was the event’s interactive, discussion‑driven design, which moved beyond traditional lecture formats. Attendees engaged in dynamic breakout sessions, poster forums, and multidisciplinary panels.

Purposeful networking also emerged as a central theme of the conference. Investigators and trainees connected across a broad range of participating organizations— including academic institutions, healthcare systems, and federal partners — creating opportunities forge new collaborations and strengthen the regional translational science ecosystem.

Topics spanned clinical innovation, implementation science, community partnerships, workforce development, and emerging technologies, providing Miami CTSI participants with opportunities to exchange ideas and explore new collaborative pathways.

This article draws on background information from the Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance’s recap of the 2026 Southeast Clinical and Translational Science Conference.