TRANSCEND
Welcome to the Translational Science Engaging North Dakota program.
What is TRANSCEND? 
The goal of TRANSCEND is to bring together researchers and clinicians with diverse experience from across the region to develop unique and innovative means of combating disease and other health issues in North Dakota.
We believe advances in disease treatment will come from broad approaches by collective groups of clinical and basic researchers who are focused on conducting clinical/translational research.
TRANSCEND is supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number 1P20GM155890-01.
For more information, reach out to transcend@und.edu.
TRANSCEND News
Eating Disorders: Classifying, Clarifying, and Developing New Treatments (TRANSCEND Seminar Series)
The third TRANSCEND Seminar Series, recorded on November 13th, featuring Dr. Stephen Wonderlich. In this talk, he presented his research on eating disorders
Fostering Ethical Integrity: Collaborating with the IRB in C&T Research (November 10, 2025)
Kristy Shirley and Andrea Ludwig presented Fostering Ethical Integrity: Collaborating with the IRB in C&T Research on Monday, November 10th at 12pm. In this virtual talk, they started by defining clinical and translational research. Then, they highlighted strategies for engaging early and often with the IRB (or multiple IRBs) and the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), to develop strategies for working through logistical issues. They also covered review requirements for collaborative research projects, including determining who is engaged in the project and understanding the expectations of both the reviewing and relying IRBs in the implementation of reliance agreements
Stats to Data: Matching Statistical Tests to Datasets
Having trouble figuring out what statistical test to use for your dataset? Look no further. In this training module, Dr. Williamson walks through four different methods of matching your data to a statistical test: 1) an exhaustive flow chart, 2) an quick-and-easy flowchart, 3) a figure gallery, and 4) a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) flowchart. Along the way, he covers the general types of tests, data types, and other relevant information on finding the right test for your data.
Working with Data Management and Statistical Colleagues (October 14, 2025)
Dr. Leslie Laam presented Working with Data Management and Statistical Colleagues on Tuesday, October 14th at 12 PM. In this virtual talk, she discussed the roles and expertise provided by data management and statistical colleagues, examined strategies for effective communication and collaborative problem-solving, highlighted the importance of data quality and integrity, and explored approaches for enhancing research outcomes.
Building Cohesive, Collegial, and Effective Research Teams (September 23, 2025)
Dr. Stephen Wonderlich presented Building Cohesive, Collegial, and Effective Research Teams on Tuesday, September 23rd at 12 PM. In this session, he discussed the essential elements of developing a functional and adaptive team for research, examined the behavioral traits that are useful in terms of leading research teams, and explored examples of effective team management.
Translational impact of hormone signaling on aging and longevity (TRANSCEND Seminar Series)
The second TRANSCEND Seminar Series, recorded on August 21st, featuring Dr. Holly Brown-Borg. In this talk, she presented her recent research on aging, asking the question: Can we mimic factors in longevous mice that lead to extended health in humans?
Basic Behavioral Science to Treatment Development to RCT to Dissemination (August 12, 2025)
Dr. Stephen Wonderlich presented Basic Behavioral Science to Treatment Development to RCT to Dissemination on August 12, 2025, at 12 p.m. In this virtual talk, he discussed the behavioral science literature on the relationship between affective (emotional) states and eating disorder behavior, examined the procedures used in the development and empirical testing of a new treatment for eating disorders, and considered the dissemination and implementation of new behavioral health treatments.
Research Study Design (July 8th, 2025)
Dr. Paul Carson presented Research Study Design on July 8th, 2025, at 12pm. In this virtual talk, he explained the differences between experimental and observational research. Participants learned how to recognize and construct various types of analytical and descriptive studies, list their associated strengths and weaknesses, and apply the Strengthening and Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) criteria to effectively construct and report observational research.
2025 Annual TRANSCEND Symposium
The Translational Science Engaging North Dakota (TRANSCEND) symposium took place on Wednesday, June 18th at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences.
Highlights:
- Keynote Presentation by TRANSCEND PI Gary Schwartz, PhD, MPH, PhD, titled “Trench to Bench: Translational Research in Reverse”
- Poster Sessions
- TRANSCEND Awardee Presentations
- Networking Opportunities
- Video recordings of the keynote and awardee presentations can be found at the Transcend Symposium page
TRANSCEND Resources
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Our Partners
What is Clinical Translational Research?
Clinical/translational research (CTR) focuses on translating findings from basic research into clinical applications with the overall goal of improving the health of the community.
