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Congratulations Dr. Brian Branchford! July 23, 2026 Brian Branchford, MD, receives the 2026 HTRS Mid-Career Research Award. The HTRS-funded award will support Dr. Branchford's research into platelet signaling, pediatric thromboinflammation, and safer approaches to venous thromboembolism prevention and treatment. HTRS is pleased to announce that Brian Branchford, MD, a pediatric hematologist and physician-scientist at the Versiti Blood Research Institute, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 HTRS Mid-Career Research Award (MCRA). 2026 Award Recipient Brian Branchford, MD. Versiti Blood Research Institute 2026 HTRS Mid-Career Research Award Funded by HTRS Project Title: "Platelet-Derived Protein S Signaling Through TYRO3/MERTK in Platelet Activation and Thrombus Stability: A Pediatric Thromboinflammation Study" Advancing Pediatric Thrombosis Research. Dr. Branchford's research will advance understanding of the mechanisms underlying pediatric thromboinflammation and venous thromboembolism (VTE). His project will generate key mechanistic and translational data on platelet-derived Protein S and TYRO3/MERTK signaling. The findings are expected to support the development of safer, pediatric-specific approaches to VTE prevention and treatment while positioning the research for future NIH R01-level funding. A pediatric hematologist and physician-scientist, Dr. Branchford has dedicated his clinical and research programs to understanding and preventing venous thromboembolism in children, particularly in the setting of inflammation. His training included a pediatric residency and chief residency at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin, followed by a fellowship in pediatric hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant at Children's Hospital Colorado. During his training, he gained research experience in von Willebrand factor biology, platelet biology, and murine thrombosis models. Over the past 15 years, his work has centered on thromboinflammatory platelet signaling, including the Protein S/GAS6-TAM receptor pathway, platelet activation, and thrombus stability. Leadership and collaboration. Dr. Branchford's clinical and collaborative work includes leadership in institutional thrombosis initiatives and co-founding the Children's Healthcare Advancements in Thrombosis (CHAT) Clinical Research Consortium, which studies hospital-acquired pediatric thrombosis and its risk factors. He also represents the United States on the Executive Committee of the International Pediatric Thrombosis Network (IPTN). His long-term goal is to build an independent, externally funded research program in non-malignant hematology that connects mechanistic platelet biology with pediatric thrombosis prevention. About the HTRS Mid-Career Research Award. Total Award $216,000 USD over two years Research Focus Clinical, translational, or basic science research in hemostasis and thrombosis To assist mid-career investigators in transitioning to full academic research independence and R01-equivalent funding Funding Organization Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Society Recognizing the Awards Program Council. HTRS extends its sincere appreciation to Janice Staber, MD, Chair, and Lindsey George, MD, Vice Chair, for their leadership of the Mid-Career Research Award Committee on the HTRS Awards Program Council. Their leadership and dedication throughout the review process help ensure that HTRS continues to recognize and invest in exceptional investigators whose work advances the field of hemostasis and thrombosis. Please join HTRS in congratulating Dr. Brian Branchford on this well-deserved recognition!

Behavioral Diagnostics and Versiti Clinical Trial Solutions announce partnership to bring objective smoking and alcohol exposure screening to clinical trials. Its screenings. Have questions? Contact Us Form MILWAUKEE and CORALVILLE, Iowa (July 14, 2026) - Behavioral Diagnostics and Versiti Clinical Trial Solutions today announced a new partnership that will allow Versiti Clinical Trial Solutions to offer Behavioral Diagnostics' novel cancer risk, smoking and alcohol exposure screening assays as part of its clinical trial support services. The collaboration expands Versiti Clinical Trial Solutions' ability to help sponsors identify and monitor behavioral factors that can affect trial safety, participant retention, adherence and data interpretation. Objective assessment of smoking and alcohol exposure may help reduce protocol deviations, improve cohort selection and strengthen interpretation of study endpoints. Behavioral Diagnostics' assays use DNA methylation-based biomarkers to provide an objective, biology-based measure of risk for lung cancer, smoking intensity and heavy alcohol exposure, helping reduce reliance on self-reported information. "Clinical trials depend on clean, interpretable data," said Doug Rains, Chief Scientific Officer, Versiti Clinical Trial Solutions. "By adding Behavioral Diagnostics' screening technology to our clinical trial support capabilities, we can help sponsors better understand participant risk factors that may influence safety, adherence and study outcomes." Behavioral Diagnostics' smoking-related assay evaluates methylation at cg05575921, a biomarker associated with smoking exposure. In a study recently published in Lung Cancer, researchers reported that adding cg05575921 methylation levels to existing clinical and smoking-history variables in subjects from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial improved prediction of lung cancer occurrence in people who currently or previously smoked compared with existing gold-standard methods. In addition, the Smoke Signature CA lung cancer test provides a "hemoglobin A1c-like" assessment of smoking intensity that can be used in Precision Medicine smoking cessation therapies. The findings were especially notable among participants with less than 20 pack-year smoking histories, although the authors noted that additional validation in an external screening population is needed. The alcohol assay provides an Alcohol T Score, an objective measure associated with heavy alcohol consumption. In clinical trials, unreported or unmonitored alcohol use can introduce safety and data quality challenges, including potential drug-alcohol interactions, participant attrition, missed visits, medication nonadherence and variability that may affect efficacy and safety signals. Through the partnership, Versiti Clinical Trial Solutions may use the assays to support sponsors with: * Participant screening and eligibility decisions * Baseline risk assessment * Stratification and covariate adjustment * Longitudinal monitoring of behavioral exposure * Support for cleaner, more interpretable clinical trial datasets "Self-report has long been a limitation in assessing behavioral exposure," said Robert Philibert, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer and Founder, Behavioral Diagnostics. "Our assays are designed to give sponsors objective biological information that can support more informed trial design, monitoring and interpretation." The partnership reflects Versiti Clinical Trial Solutions' commitment to offering specialized laboratory and biomarker support that helps sponsors strengthen clinical trial execution while maintaining scientific and regulatory rigor.

Dayton Dragons and Versiti Blood Center to host second Blood Drive in South Dayton Toyota Diamond Club on July 15. By Dayton Dragons July 13, 2026 Dayton, Ohio - The Dayton Dragons and Versiti Blood Center are teaming up for the second of four blood drives in the new South Dayton Toyota Diamond Club on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 from 12 pm to 6 pm. Donors will get a beautiful view of the field at Day Dayton, Ohio - The Dayton Dragons and Versiti Blood Center are teaming up for the second of four blood drives in the new South Dayton Toyota Diamond Club on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 from 12 pm to 6 pm. Donors will get a beautiful view of the field at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District and once donations are complete will get a special behind-the-scenes tour concluding in a photo on the field. Donors who "step up to the plate" will also receive a Dragons prize pack valued at $50. The prize pack includes two (2) tickets to an upcoming Dragons game, a 25th Season Commemorative poster, and a Dragons hat. Donors during the July 15 blood drive, will also receive a Versiti Blood Center water bottle while supplies last. Versiti Blood Center will also be adding a ballpark staple, hot dogs, to their post-donation recovery snacks while supplies last. Appointments are encouraged. Book your appointment for the blood drive in the South Dayton Toyota Diamond Club Event through the Versiti Blood Center website, donate.versiti.org, or by phone at (937) 461-3220. Free parking for the Blood Drive will be available at the following locations: * On the plaza at Day Air Ballpark * Metered spots near Dragons Box Office on Monument Avenue * Marsh & McLennan Parking Lot (309 Webster Street, Dayton, OH 45402) * Good Neighbor House (627 E 1st St, Dayton, OH 45402) Paid parking lots and metered spots are also available around the ballpark near the South Dayton Toyota Diamond Club. Blood donations are essential year-round, with local hospitals relying on volunteer donors to meet ongoing patient needs, including trauma care, surgeries, cancer treatments, and chronic illnesses. The Dragons and Versiti Blood Center have teamed up for the next three years to make blood donations easier and more rewarding than ever for the Miami Valley community to get involved. Blood donation requirements: Donors are required to provide a photo ID that includes their full name. Past Community Blood Center donors are also asked to bring their CBC donor ID card. Donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 years old with parental consent: form available at www.givingblood.org or at CBC branch & blood drive locations), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds (you may have to weigh more, depending on your height), and be in good physical health. About Versiti Blood Center of Ohio: Versiti Blood Center of Ohio is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a safe and stable blood supply to hospitals across the region while advancing patient care through research, innovation, and community engagement. To learn more or to schedule a donation, visit versitidayton.org.