Virginia Clinical and Translational Science (VCATS) Program
The University of Virginia is launching the Virginia Clinical and Translational Science (VCATS) program, the next chapter in its clinical and translational research infrastructure. VCATS reflects a renewed, University-wide commitment to integrating rigorous clinical research with translational and implementation impact. Catalyzed by an investment from the UVA School of Medicine, VCATS will anchor a competitive application to the National Institutes of Health for a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) in 2028.
Program Leadership
VCATS is led by two UVA faculty who bring complementary expertise in clinical science, biostatistics, and implementation.
Jennifer L. Payne, MD, Director
Dr. Payne is Director of the CTSA Program at the University of Virginia, known as VCATS, and Associate Vice President for Research for Clinical Science. As the program’s scientific and clinical lead, she guides the CTSA application and holds overall responsibility for its vision, development, and execution.
She is also Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, where her work in reproductive and perinatal psychiatry has earned her national recognition as a clinical researcher. She has been named a UVA Vivian Pinn Scholar.
Matthew J. Gurka, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator, VCATS Application
Dr. Gurka, the Evelyn Troup Hobson Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences at the UVA School of Medicine, brings essential expertise in biostatistics, pragmatic clinical trial design, and implementation science. He also brings direct, hands-on CTSA experience from his prior leadership role at the West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
Strengthening UVA’s Clinical and Translational Science Infrastructure
VCATS builds on the foundation laid by the integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia (iTHRIV), UVA’s previous CTSA effort. Supported by a National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences award, iTHRIV integrated clinical and translational research resources across UVA, Virginia Tech, Carilion Clinic, and Inova Health System around the goal of using data to improve health and advance health equity.
Over the next two years, VCATS will lead a coordinated, University-wide effort to strengthen clinical and translational research infrastructure and workforce development. In its first phase, the program’s near-term priorities are focused on listening, assessing, and rebuilding:
- Gathering information across Grounds, engaging investigators, research staff, and leaders to understand the current landscape of clinical and translational research at UVA, including key gaps and opportunities.
- Restarting and establishing critical resources that support UVA’s clinical/translational research enterprise and ensure core capabilities are in place, well-coordinated, and ready to scale.
- Building partnerships across UVA, partner institutions, and community stakeholders to align efforts behind a shared vision.
As the program takes shape and works toward a competitive CTSA application in 2028, VCATS leadership will actively seek engagement across Schools, departments, partner institutions, and community stakeholders. Please stay tuned for opportunities to engage.
Contact Us
Katie Pelland, PhD, Senior Research Program Officer
Email: VCATS@uvahealth.org / VCATS@virginia.edu