CCTS calls for abstracts and mentor award nominations for 2026 Spring Conference
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 14, 2026) — The University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science will hold its 21st annual Spring Conference on March 31 at the Central Bank Center in Lexington. Abstract submissions and nominations for mentor awards are now open.
The CCTS Spring Conference is Kentucky’s premier event for clinical and translational research, convening more than 1,000 researchers, clinicians, staff, students and community partners to share findings and foster collaborations. It is a pillar of the CCTS mission to promote team science and accelerate discoveries that improve health. As always, attendance is free.
The theme of the 2026 CCTS Spring Conference is “Artificial Intelligence: Bridging Clinical Care, Innovation, Research, and Technology,” but podium and poster presentations will span the full spectrum of clinical and translational science and research.
Abstracts invited for podium and poster presentations
Submission deadline: 5 p.m. ET Tuesday, Feb. 3.
In addition to abstracts related to the conference theme, the CCTS invites abstracts on clinical and translational science and research, as well as abstracts for the following college- and unit-specific Research Days that will be held at the conference:
- College of Dentistry
- College of Education
- College of Engineering-Biomedical Engineering
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Medicine
- College of Nursing
- College of Public Health
- Department of Internal Medicine
- Institute for Biomedical Informatics
Note: Abstracts do not need to align with the conference theme.
Research Mentor Recognition Awards: Call for nominations
Nomination Deadline: 5 p.m. ET Thursday, Feb. 12.
CCTS is also accepting nominations for the Research Mentor Recognition Awards in Clinical and Translational Science.
Mentorship can be a defining variable in someone’s training and career but often goes under recognized. This award honors outstanding mentors who make impactful contributions to their mentees’ success in clinical and translational science.
Only UK faculty members are eligible for this award, which will be presented during the conference.
Find complete conference details, including abstract submission, mentor nomination and registration at the conference website.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.