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NCATS TL1/T32 William Schnaper Visiting Scientist program: Trainee-driven mini-symposium
Alexander Thomas Brunfeldt1, Brittany M Hufft-Martinez2, Jason S Hatfield3
1Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
|August 12, 2026
Summary
The William Schnaper Visiting Scientist (WSVS) Mini-Symposium effectively enhanced translational science training. This virtual, trainee-led format fostered scientific communication, networking, and professional development for researchers nationwide.
Area of Science:
- Translational Science
- Medical Education
- Scientific Communication
Background:
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) consortium established the William Schnaper Visiting Scientist (WSVS) Mini-Symposium.
- The program aimed to offer predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees opportunities for research presentation, communication skill development, and cross-institutional collaboration.
- A fully virtual, trainee-centered format was adopted to facilitate these goals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the structure, implementation, and outcomes of seven WSVS Mini-Symposia conducted between 2021 and 2025.
- To evaluate the program's effectiveness in promoting scientific communication, networking, and workforce development.
- To assess the perceived value and impact on professional development for trainees.
Main Methods:
- Seven WSVS Mini-Symposia were conducted using a virtual, trainee-centered format.
- Program metrics included participation data (CTSA hubs, trainee roles, research domains) and survey evaluations from presenters and attendees.
- Surveys assessed perceived value, professional development benefits, and program logistics.
Main Results:
- Seven symposia featured 62 trainee presenters from 28 CTSA hubs across 21 states.
- Predoctoral trainees constituted the majority of presenters (79%), with research spanning basic (34%), clinical (52%), and implementation/public health (13%) domains.
- 100% of presenters found the symposium valuable for professional development; 78% of attendees found it a valuable learning experience.
Conclusions:
- The WSVS Mini-Symposium model is a scalable and effective virtual forum for enhancing translational science training.
- The program successfully promoted scientific communication, networking, and workforce development among geographically distributed trainees.
- This trainee-led virtual format offers a sustainable framework for improving translational science education nationwide.
