Team Science Coffee Break: Innovative Models for Collaborative Impact

About the Team Science Coffee Break Series:

The concept of Team Science answers the question, “How do groups, particularly interdisciplinary groups, move through a process together?” Advances in translational research are increasingly dependent on teams of individuals with different perspectives and skills working collaboratively towards a common goal. How team members collaborate and communicate continues to evolve, particularly in environments rich in knowledge diversity. Collaboration among teams goes beyond traditional boundaries, accommodating an increasingly blended and dispersed workforce.

In the Johns Hopkins ICTR's Team Science Coffee Break Series, we offer collaborative learning and practical tips on building effective, multi-disciplinary, translational science teams. Each session will focus on a specific facet of Team Science and provide the opportunity to take a "deeper dive" into that area. We’ll hear from experts in managing teams, discuss our challenges, and share strategies that work for research teams of all types.

About the Session:

In this session, we will first review innovative CBPR models for fostering community-academic partnerships, drawing from Dr. Nina Wallerstein's Engaged for Equity conceptual model, which led to the creation of Morgan CARES services and core model—a community-engaged core located in a renovated facility in East Baltimore. Second, we will introduce practitioner research as a methodological approach to harness the power of team science and collaborative research in clinical settings.

About the Target Audience:

This workshop is appropriate for members of translational science and biomedical teams interested in improving their ability to lead or work within research teams effectively. Whether you are starting a new team or seeking to enhance the effectiveness of your current team, this coffee break will provide you with insights and tools to apply in your work.

About the Speaker:

Payam Sheikhattari, MD, MPH is a professor of Public Health at Morgan State University, and directs the Prevention Sciences Research Center. With 20+ years in community health, he focuses on community-led initiatives, targeting minorities and low-income groups to address urban health disparities. Notable achievements include leading NIH-funded projects, such as the "ASCEND" Training Model, and directing initiatives like Morgan CARES and the CEASE trial. He's also a Principal Collaborator on the American Heart Association's IMPACT project and an author on practitioner research in health professions.