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PhD in Clinical Translational Science (CTS)

photo of Jin Kim-Mozeleski, PhD

About our program

Thank you for your interest in the Clinical Translational Science (CTS) doctoral program at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). Our program launched in 2015, with the mission to train world-class clinical translational scientists who will lead innovative research that puts scientific discoveries to work toward better human health. CTS is a broad-based field, and our program allows students to focus on any point along the translational spectrum—from translation of basic science discoveries into human diagnostics and treatments, to translation of these diagnostics and treatments into clinical practice, and the implementation of evidence-based practice across settings and populations. The ultimate goal is the same: to tackle some of the world’s most significant health challenges.

Our program is housed in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences within the CWRU’s School of Medicine. CWRU is one of the top-ranked medical schools in the U.S., and CTS trainees benefit from access to mentors from CWRU and our partner clinical institutions including The Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals of Cleveland, MetroHealth Medical Center, and Cleveland’s Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Trainees gain the tools and experience needed to ask the most relevant questions and lead interdisciplinary teams to answer them using the most appropriate methods. In addition to strong quantitative and research design skills, trainees learn a unique set of theories and methodologies based on national standards—all with substantial flexibility to customize their own programs of study to meet specific training goals.

Our trainees come from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and include physicians, dentists, nutritionists, research technicians, and others. Many, in fact, continue to work while pursuing the program at their own pace. The trainees’ interests are equally diverse, with projects spanning cancer therapeutics, donor organ allocation, oral health-systemic disease links, applications of 3D imaging, health disparities, big data, artificial intelligence, and more. All share the goal of efficiently and effectively moving scientific discoveries into clinical and community practice. 

If, after exploring our website, you still have questions about the program and whether it may be the right fit, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to getting to know you!

Program Leadership 

Jin Kim-Mozeleski, PhD, Program Director 

James Spilsbury, PhD, MPH, Associate Director 

Lauren Mazzagatti, MS, Administrative Director 

Steering Committee

Gene Blackstone, MD

Mary Dolansky, PhD

Colin Drummond, PhD

Brian Grimberg, PhD 

Johnie Rose, MD, PhD, Past Director


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