Thomas Buchanan Thomas Buchanan, MD SC CTSI Director/Principal Investigator
Michele Kipke Michele Kipke, PhD Co-Director, Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute

Message from the Directors

Welcome to the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI), a multifaceted resource for clinical and community-partnered translational research. Set in the heart of Los Angeles where 90 languages are spoken, we support more than 1,000 researchers as they seek to understand and mitigate the disease burden of chronic diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, liver disease, kidney disease and many more.

We seek to promote better health for our patients and our communities through research and education. Join us as we continue our mission to improve clinical care and health outcomes through cutting-edge research.

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What is Clinical & Translational Science?

Translational science is devoted to understanding the scientific and operational principles underlying the translation of scientific knowledge into new approaches to improve the health of individuals and the public. Across the spectrum of translational science, the SC CTSI is focused on research involving people, research that includes clinical trials, community partnered research, implementation science, and dissemination.

What is Clinical & Translational Science?
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Who we are

We are a collaborative team of 100+ clinicians, scientists, nurses, coordinators, specialists, and administrative staff. The majority of us call USC home. Others work at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, or out in the neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

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NIH Funding Acknowledgment: Important - All publications resulting from the utilization of SC CTSI resources are required to credit the SC CTSI grant by including the NIH funding acknowledgment and must comply with the NIH Public Access Policy.

This program is open to all eligible individuals. SC CTSI operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.

For our complete Terms of Use, including privacy and legal compliance statements, click HERE.  Copyright © 2026 SC CTSI: Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute at USC and CHLA. All rights reserved.