The Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS), a non-profit membership association of translational scientists from the nation’s leading academic medical centers, honored its Translational Science Award recipients at Translational Science 2025.
The University of Florida, Clinical and Translational Science Institute is pleased to announce that Wayne McCormack, PhD was recognized as a recipient of the 2025 ACTS Distinguished Educator: The Rebecca Jackson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Education Innovation.
A professor and Distinguished Teaching Scholar at the University of Florida, Dr. McCormack has dedicated over two decades to advancing health science education, leading transformative initiatives within the UF-FSU CTSA hub and across the national CTSA Consortium. His innovations include a CTS Team training model, pioneering competency-based assessments for translational science, and scholarly work in team science and ethical research training. As director or co-director of multiple graduate and training programs, including the TL1 program since 2009, Dr. McCormack has shaped graduate curricula, mentored emerging scientists, and led influential national surveys and working groups. His contributions extend internationally through his presidency of the International Network for the Science of Team Science and the Team-Based Learning Collaborative as well as recognition by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. With a scholarly and strategic approach to mentoring and program design, Dr. McCormack exemplifies the spirit of educational innovation.
ACTS presents its annual Translational Science Awards to recognize investigators for their outstanding contributions to the clinical research and translational science field. Individuals and teams are nominated by their colleagues and peers and may be selected from all industry segments.
“The ACTS awards recognize talented investigators who translate their findings from the bench to beside and ultimately into the community. Awardees are in all phases of studies and disciplines throughout the workforce which includes investigators, trainees, educators, and research teams. These award winners and their work represent the values and mission of ACTS for innovation, team science and community involvement applying principles of translational science. We are pleased to celebrate their achievements at Translational Science 2025” said ACTS President Allan R Brasier, MD
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ACTS Distinguished Educator: The Rebecca Jackson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Education Innovation recognizes distinguished educators with significant accomplishments and widely recognized innovation and impact in health sciences education and clinical research training. The award was recently re-named to honor the late ACTS President Rebecca Jackson, MD who passed away in October 2022.
The Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) uniquely provides an outstanding platform for enhancing education, research, and public policy related to clinical and translational science. ACTS members consist of leaders, investigators, and trainees from academic medical centers, government, industry, and philanthropy. ACTS focuses on four realms: research, education, advocacy, and mentoring. Additional information is available at the ACTS website at www.actscience.org.
The University of Florida Clinical and Translational Science Institute (UF CTSI) accelerates the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical and community practices that improve health. Supported by the NIH’s Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program, the UF CTSI provides infrastructure, services, training, and collaboration opportunities to advance translational research. As a hub for innovation and collaboration, UF CTSI supports investigators, trainees, and community partners across the research spectrum.