The Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS), a non-profit membership association of translational scientists from the nation’s leading academic medical centers, honored its Translational Science Award recipients at Translational Science 2021.

The Institute for Clinical Research Education is pleased to announce that Doris Rubio, PhD received the 2021 ACTS Award for Contributing to the Diversity and Inclusiveness of the Translational Workforce.

Dr. Doris Rubio is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Clinical Research Education and Training, Health Sciences and Director of the Institute for Clinical Research Education at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Rubio is committed to the mentorship and development of faculty of color and women in science. With the goal of addressing the limited number of people who are underrepresented in science, she started the LEADS (Leading Emerging and Diverse Scientists to Success) program, funded by NIGMS. Additionally, she has a U01 under the NIH’s Diversity Program Consortium to test an intervention for underrepresented biomedical researchers to help launch their research careers. Among other honors, she has received the Educator of the Year Award from the Association for Clinical and Translational Science in 2016, which recognizes a leader in clinical research education and mentoring, and a recent recipient of the Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award given her work on diversifying the workforce.

ACTS presents its annual Translational Science Awards to recognize investigators for their outstanding contributions to the clinical research and translational science field. Individuals and teams are nominated by their colleagues and peers and may be selected from all industry segments.

"This past year, we have seen the massive mobilization of the full breadth and complexity of clinical and translational science and we have observed achievements never before dreamed of", said ACTS President Christopher Lindsell, PhD. "These awards reflect the outstanding contributions of our community of clinical and translational scientists, and their enduring commitment to healing and to the health of the world".

The ACTS Award for Contributing to the Diversity and Inclusiveness of the Translational Workforce recognizes individuals who, through their careers of mentoring, policymaking, or team building have contributed to a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Success may be evidenced by a track record of contributing to career development of their own mentees, or to the workforce of their organization.