Lockman tapped to lead investigator development initiatives with West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Scientist and educator named organization’s research pathfinder
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Julie Lockman, Ph.D., has been named research pathfinder with the West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute (WVCTSI).
As research pathfinder, Lockman will oversee investigator development, service integration, and product development tracking for WVCTSI-funded investigators. The pathfinder also serves as the point person to support investigators as they navigate the research process. She will provide consultations to advise investigators on available WVCTSI services and resources, identify and assist in development of collaborative research teams, and support the WVCTSI research mentoring initiatives.
Lockman has served as the educational director in the WVCTSI Clinical Research Education, Mentoring and Career Development core. She joined the organization in January 2014 and has developed educational programs and initiatives for faculty, residents and students pursuing additional training in clinical and translational research.
Prior to her work with WVCTSI, Dr. Lockman was an assistant professor of biology at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. She earned her Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and followed with postdoctoral work in neuropharmacology and molecular biology at Texas Tech University School of Pharmacy.
“Dr. Lockman is absolutely the right person to lead WVCTSI’s investigator support efforts,” said Sally L. Hodder, M.D., director of the West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute. “We place strong emphasis on investigator support, and her experience in program development, biomedical research and education demonstrates her ability to match resources to needs. We are quite pleased that Dr. Lockman will be at the forefront of this service.”
“The WVCTSI staff and leadership are passionate about our role in supporting the growth of clinical and translational sciences across the state with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes,” Dr. Lockman shared. “I am grateful to be a part of such an important initiative working alongside such an experienced and committed team.”
In addition to her duties with WVCTSI, Dr. Lockman is an adjunct faculty member in the West Virginia University School of Medicine and School of Pharmacy. She serves on numerous committees and is a participant in the Mountaineer Leadership Academy’s Leadership Development Institute and the Women’s Leadership Initiative at WVU.
She assumes the research pathfinder position following the departure of Chad Higgins, Ph.D, who recently moved on to Iowa State University to serve as the senior director of Extension and Outreach. Dr. Lockman will continue to work with education programs and activities until a program coordinator is hired.
WVCTSI Background
In August 2012, the WVCTSI was awarded a $19.6 million IDeA Clinical and Translational grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences titled “West Virginia IDeA CTR” [Institutional Development Award for Clinical and Translational Research, 1U54RR033567-02; Hodder (Principal Investigator)] to support WVCTSI’s mission of building clinical and translational research infrastructure and capacity to impact health disparities in West Virginia.
This grant was matched by a $33.5 million commitment from several West Virginia entities to create a total funding of $53.1 million to recruit 24 clinician scientists and provide infrastructure core support in biostatistics, bioinformatics, community engagement and outreach, clinical research education and mentoring, ethical and regulatory knowledge support, and pilot grants to grow clinical and translational research in the state.