CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia  announced its seventh round of the iTHRIV Scholars Program. Five outstanding early-career researchers from the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic will participate in this two-year structured research training and mentorship program.

“All of these newly appointed Scholars have a vision for truly impactful research that will significantly improve the lives of patients. The activities of the iTHRIV Scholars Program will help these faculty realize these visions and establish a foundation for sustained research careers in clinical translational science,” said Jason Papin, PhD, of UVA’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Co-Director of the iTHRIV Scholars Program. 

  • Caitlyn Collins, PhD, is from Virginia Tech’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics. She will be mentored by Raffaella De Vita, PhD.
  • Lora Henderson Smith, PhD, MEd, is from the University of Virginia’s Department of Human Services. She will be mentored by Catherine Bradshaw, PhD.
  • Jamie MacLeod, MD, is from UVA Health’s Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care in the Department of Medicine. She will be mentored by Michael Shim, MD.
  • Jennifer Sasson, MD, MS, is from UVA Health’s Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health in the Department of Medicine. She will be mentored by William Petri, MD, PhD.
  • Mary Wesley, DrPH, MPH, is from Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine’s Department of Health Systems and Implementation Science. She will be mentored by Kathy Hosig, PhD, MPH, RD.

“The entire iTHRIV partnership is excited to get to know this transdisciplinary cohort of scholars so we can learn from one another and help advance important health-related discoveries,” said Leanna Blevins, Assistant Vice President for Virginia Tech Health Sciences Education and Student Affairs and the Site Director for the iTHRIV Scholars Program at Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic. 

The iTHRIV Scholars Program, launched in 2017, is a mentored career development award for dedicated early-career clinical and translational researchers. The program emphasizes data science training and interdisciplinary research collaboration. 

This group begins its appointment in July.

iTHRIV and the iTHRIV Scholars Program are supported in part by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health. For information, visit iTHRIV.org.