Thomas Buchanan Thomas Buchanan, MD SC CTSI Director/Principal Investigator
Michele Kipke Michele Kipke, PhD SC CTSI Co-Director/CE Director

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 urban heart of Los Angeles where 85% of residents are from minority groups, 90 languages are spoken, and disease burden is high, we support researchers who face special challenges above and beyond traditional research hurdles. We view these challenges as opportunities to make research with diverse populations easier and more beneficial for our communities.

We are proud to provide pilot funding, diverse training opportunities, robust clinical research support, digital recruitment methods, community connections, and many other tools to more than 1,000 investigators working at USC, CHLA, the LA County Department of Health Services and in the communities of Los Angeles. Join us as we continue our mission to improve clinical care and health outcomes through cutting-edge research.

Click here to read about our services and resources. (Interactive PDF on desktop)

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?
Learn More

Our Work

Supporting today's research teams

Supporting today's research teams

Scientists at USC and CHLA use our services and resources to find collaborators, launch research programs, recruit patients, and conduct innovative clinical and community trials.

See our research success stories
Preparing tomorrow’s Clinical & Translational scientists

Preparing tomorrow’s Clinical & Translational scientists

We provide high-intensity degree programs for clinician-scientists as well as broad training opportunities for staff, patients, and community members.

See our trainee success stories
Improving the research environment

Improving the research environment

We help shape the clinical research infrastructure to make research easier and more successful.

See our initiatives

Organizational Chart

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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.

Core Groups

BERD Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design Details about Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design
CRI Clinical Research Informatics Details about Clinical Research Informatics
CRS Clinical Research Support Details about Clinical Research Support
CE Community Engagement Details about Community Engagement
EI Evaluation & Improvement Details about Evaluation & Improvement
HDS Healthcare Delivery Science Details about Healthcare Delivery Science
RKS Regulatory Knowledge & Support Details about Regulatory Knowledge & Support
RD Research Development Details about Research Development
WD Workforce Development Details about Workforce Development

Our Partners

We team up with diverse clinical, academic and community organizations in the LA area and nationally. These partnerships enhance our core expertise to produce comprehensive support for clinical and community research with real-world applications.

SC CTSI Identity Guidelines

Need to use the SC CTSI Logo or colors? View the SC CTSI Identity guidelines

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.