Translational Science Specialization

Translational science is the process of turning observations in the laboratory, clinic, and community into interventions that improve the health of individuals and populations. In this course, you’ll learn about the role of translational research in moving scientific discoveries into applications for improving human health. With an understanding of the four stages of translational research, you’ll be able to assess team roles for each stage and explain the importance of rigorous research, responsible conduct of research, and the differences between them. Finally, you’ll learn about career opportunities within the in-demand field of translational research.

This is an ideal introduction for undergraduate or graduate students interested in the practical application of their research to improve the health of their community. This is the first course of five in the “Translational Science” series.

The first phase of translational research — known as “T1” — is the process of moving foundational scientific discoveries into possible approaches for real-world health applications. This course focuses on innovations in basic science discovery, including drug discovery and repurposing and animal studies, that lead to new methods of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in highly controlled settings. You’ll also discuss the role of the federal government to support and regulate translational research as it moves from basic science to human interventions.

This is the second course of five in the “Translational Science” series.

The second phase of translational research — known as “T2” — assesses the value of applying discoveries to clinical practice, which leads to the development of evidence-based guidelines. This course focuses on clinical trials, the value of applying discoveries to clinical practice, and best practices for conducting research. You’ll see examples of human subjects research through clinical trials that have been translated into practice and, later, into basic scientific discoveries. You’ll also discuss the role of the federal government in supporting and regulating translational research conducted on humans.

This is the third course of five in the “Translational Science” series.

Health research must positively impact the lives of the general population, so the public must receive and interpret research findings in a meaningful way. That is why translating research discoveries into practice is an important phase of the translational research spectrum.

In this course, you’ll gain an introduction to the concepts of population health research and the ethical use of data science to drive advances in human health. Specifically, you’ll learn about the computational models used in population health research, the function of community partners in conducting translational research and disseminating findings, as well as the role of population health during health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, Opioid crisis, and the Flint, Michigan, USA water crisis. This is the fourth of five courses in the “Translational Science” series.