The Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) has awarded five pilot awards to advance innovative clinical and translational research (CTR) at UW–Madison.
Pilot awards are intended to support projects that will further an investigator’s career path and catalyze further funding. These awards provide up to 12 months of funding for early-stage projects that seek to turn biomedical research discoveries into health solutions through the application of translational science.
Translating science into practice is a multifaceted endeavor. It requires addressing the pace of development and availability of treatments; enabling more people and community members to contribute to and benefit from translational science; and rooting out inefficiencies and roadblocks that get in the way.
Applicants for ICTR pilots awards were challenged to address a CTR question in a particular disease or intervention context, as well as devise generalizable translational science innovations that can be applied to other projects. This generalizability boosts the overall efficiency and effectiveness of translation.
Funding for these awards comes from the NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program, which supports a national network of more than 60 academic medical institutions, including UW–Madison. Since CTSA pilots began at UW in 2013, ICTR has awarded over $2.7 million across 55 projects focused on translational science; 22 such projects were funded in the past 5 years, totaling $1 million.
The ICTR Pilot Awards Program team offers its gratitude to all the scientific peer reviewers who graciously lent their time and expertise to rigorously evaluate applications.
The following translational science pilot projects were funded for 2026-27:
Self-administered PTSD Intervention Developed Specifically for Prisons
PI: Michael Koenigs, SMPH-Psychiatry
Despite the widespread need for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment in prisons, staffing and resources in this setting are extremely limited and most facilities are unable to provide adequate care. To overcome this roadblock, the project will engage a team of formerly incarcerated individuals and prison officials to tailor a self-help PTSD workbook specifically for prison settings across Wisconsin and beyond.
Platform for Curing Rare Brain Diseases: Moving from Localized to Whole Brain Gene Therapy
PI: Walter Block, Biomedical Engineering / Medical Physics
Co-PI: Azam Ahmed, SMPH-Neurological Surgery
Currently, treatment for brain cancer and neurocognitive disorders like Huntington’s disease consists of pressurized infusions through minimally invasive catheters. However, most rare brain diseases would benefit from the treatment being delivered throughout the entire brain, not just a localized region. This study addresses this treatment roadblock by using 3D gel models of human brains, developed using scans, to evaluate the possibility of expanding the delivery of gene therapy to the whole brain.
A Translational Pilot Assessing the Safety, Usability, and Feasibility of a Patient-Facing AI Chatbot for Adrenal Nodule Evaluation
PI: Alexander Chiu, SMPH-Surgery
Co-PI: Alan McMillan, SMPH-Radiology
Timely access to specialty counseling and diagnostic evaluation for adrenal nodules can help prevent life-threatening complications. This study proposes a new strategy to address roadblocks that delay access to this specialized care using an AI chatbot. The chatbot delivers standardized education, answers common patient questions, and facilitates early steps of the diagnostic evaluation. This approach can increase the number of initial evaluation visits and overall efficiency of specialty care, increasing access for patients.
Feasibility of Real-time Wearable Kinematic Biofeedback to Modulate Knee Kinetics
PI: Keith Knurr, SMPH-Orthopedics & Rehabilitation, ICTR KL2 Scholar
Co-PI: Darryl Thelen, Mechanical Engineering
Gait and movement disorders caused by chronic stress or excessive force can impact physical activity levels, community accessibility, and overall quality of life. However, evaluation of these disorders often requires visits to labs with large, specialized equipment. This study will overcome this roadblock to healthcare by testing small, wearable motion sensors to track how a person moves. The goal is to see whether real-time feedback can help people change the way people walk to reduce chronic stress placed on their knee joints. Data will inform improved access to testing, as well as physical therapy approaches for multiple causes of these disorders.
Regulation of Segmental Outflow by Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide (CGRP): A Novel Intraocular Pressure Lowering Target
PI: Colleen McDowell, SMPH-Ophthalmology
Co-PI: Xin Gao, SMPH-Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
In glaucoma, tissues that drain fluid from the eye become less effective, resulting in increased pressure inside the eye, which can damage the optic nerve. However, some aspects of the ways that these tissues work together are unknown. This study will test the ways cells signal this pressure to each other with the goal of reducing eye pressure and preserving sight. Findings from this work could lead the way to new treatments for glaucoma.
The next opportunity to submit proposals for these awards opens in the fall. Sign up for the ICTR newsletter or visit the ICTR Funding Opportunities page for more information.
The projects described are supported by the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program, through the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), grant UL1TR002373 and by the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health.