Association for Clinical and Translational Science honors Tulane physician-researcher

Tulane University physician-researcher Dr. Marie "Tonette" Krousel-Wood has been recognized by the Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS), a nonprofit organization representing translational scientists at leading academic medical centers.

Krousel-Wood is the recipient of the 2026 ACTS Distinguished Investigator: Translation from Proof of Concept to Widespread Clinical Practice award, which honors senior researchers who move scientific discoveries into real-world care. The award was presented April 21 at Translational Science 2026, ACTS' annual meeting in Milwaukee.

Krousel-Wood is a professor and the Jack Aron endowed chair in primary care medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine and professor of epidemiology at the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University. She is an internationally recognized leader in implementation and dissemination science.

Krousel-Wood's research focuses on evidence-based prevention, chronic disease management and adherence to health and lifestyle behaviors. She has dedicated her career to ensuring that evidence-based interventions reach patients and communities where they are most needed. Her work has helped shape how clinicians manage high blood pressure, including the development of new tools to measure medication adherence and predict cardiovascular outcomes. She has led large-scale clinical trials in both rural and urban settings, particularly across the Gulf South, demonstrating how evidence-based approaches can improve health outcomes in real-world conditions.

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," said ACTS President Dr. Allan R Brasier. "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 2026."

Krousel-Wood has authored more than 165 peer-reviewed publications and has secured extensive National Institutes of Health funding for her work. She also founded Tulane's Center for Health Outcomes, Implementation and Community-Engaged Science (CHOICES), which supports research that bridges academic, clinical and community settings.

The Association for Clinical and Translational Science is a nonprofit organization that supports education, research and public policy to advance translational science. Its members include leaders and trainees from academic medical centers, government, industry and philanthropy.