The Community Engagement Network for Translational Science (CENTS)
Mission: We meet directly with the community across Long Island and NY to affect public health faster through research, communication, education and networking. CENTS’s focus is on tribal communities, low socio-economic status groups, under-represented groups, older populations and veterans through our NVAMC collaboration.
CENTS will bridge the distance between segregated and stratified communities. We will establish multiple connectivity nodes throughout the network involving IT services, newsletter, website and mini-TED talks, a Summer Research Institute and Open House, a community scientist recognition program and we will promote careers of community focused researchers.
CENTS recognizes that building trusting relationships between researchers and community members also requires a workforce that represents our community. Our team will assist learners aspiring to be research professionals in connecting with the training resources they will need to be successful. Contact us if you would like to learn about your options.
What are our Community Needs?
Long Island's population exceeds 7.5 million, which comprises over one third of the total population of New York State. This community has high levels of racial/ethnic segregation exceeding that of other U.S. suburbs, is struggling with opioid addiction, and environmental health hazards such as tick-borne illness and the risks of climate change in a coastal community. Effective translational science requires an understanding of the special needs of our communities.
Community Ambassadors program
Get to know our Community Ambassadors!
Community Ambassadors will provide linkages to the specific communities they represent and know intimately, and are empowered as messengers of community trends, needs and concerns to LINCATS leadership and researchers. They will promote awareness of activities related to CTS with the goal of increased engagement between URGs and LINCATS.
CENTS Lead
George Leibowitz, PhD
Professor & Doctoral Chair, School of Social Welfare
george.leibowitz@stonybrookmedicine.edu
Phone: 631-444-6369