Testimonials

Impact is what we do. From sharper science communication to new funding wins to opening minds to join health research, the results speak for themselves. Don’t just take our word for it – explore testimonials below.
testimonials
“As part of the K program, I was encouraged to stay in touch with previous mentors. That and having the protected time as a K scholar and getting the feedback to be able to build a really strong application helped me get the R01. ”
Allison Wainer, PhD
Rush
K Scholar and ITM Pilot Award Finalist
“Connecting researchers with the public in ways that make research and researchers approachable is so important. ”
Behind the Breakthroughs Audience Member
"We have had amazing success recruiting for my clinical trial, and I can only credit the TRIO studio. The clear, specific, and creative recruitment ideas led to us meeting our recruitment goal in only 4 months time!" 
Arryn A. Guy, PhD
Illinois Institute of Technology
TRIO Studio Presenter
"We have had amazing success recruiting for my clinical trial, and I can only credit the TRIO studio. The clear, specific, and creative recruitment ideas led to us meeting our recruitment goal in only 4 months time!" 
Kennedy Campbell, MS
University of Chicago
Master’s in Biomedical Sciences
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I feel very relaxed and confident now, I already feel like I'm a winner.
Olga Kalinina, PhD
Loyola University Chicago
ITM Pilot Award Finalist
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I think my favorite part of speaking at Eureka Talks was getting great feedback from members of the community.
Paula de la Peña, PhD, RN
Loyola University Chicago
K Scholar
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The moment you're able to speak science in everyday language and explain it, then it has an impact. People will understand it better and are able to ask an informed question.
Santosh Basapur, PhD
Rush
ITM Pilot Awardee
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Without the ITM, I wouldn’t have had those opportunities and this very closely mentored training that has allowed me to take my career to a completely different place that has given it so much meaning.
Maylyn Martinez, MD, MSc
University of Chicago
K Scholar and T Scholar
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Everybody should do the ITM Pilot Awards because then you get to go outside the research and do things where it can make an impact.
Abhinav Bushan, PhD
Illinois Institute of Technology
ITM Pilot Award Awardee
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This [ITM Pilot Award process] is totally one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had in my scientific career. It’s changed the way that I view communication of my thoughts, ideas, and my research.
William Roth, MD
University of Chicago
ITM Pilot Award Finalist
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The best part is that it takes you out from your cookie-cutter day and that is a lot of fun. I saw a part of myself come out today that doesn't come out very often.
Pablo Sanchez, MD, PhD
University of Chicago
ITM Pilot Award Finalist
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Science communication wise - I learned a lot. This is a good program to showcase your research and it’s amazing. This is a must for scientists like me who want our research to be heard.
Chandrashekara Kyathanahalli, PhD
Endeavor Health
ITM Pilot Award Finalist
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The ITM Pilot Award process is a beautiful learning experience in every step that I can recommend to anyone.
Kamal El Bissati, PhD
University of Chicago
ITM Pilot Award Finalist
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The ITM is incredible. For research communication, it's so powerful to convey the research ideas that we developed. That can potentially help more patients.
Jian Zhou, PhD
Rush
ITM Pilot Awardee
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It's life-changing. This is going to change forever the way I talk, communicate, and interact with my patients and colleagues.
Anu Batbold, MD, PhD
University of Chicago
Master's in Biomedical Sciences Student
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I use the storytelling strategies that I learned from the ITM on a regular basis in many interactions - with teaching, patient interactions, and with subject recruitment.
Gabrielle Lapping-Carr, MD
University of Chicago
ITM Pilot Awardee
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ANY RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGHS?

Researchers – has your work been accelerated by the ITM? Have a research win or big breakthrough you want to shout from the rooftops? We’ve got a whole team ready to shout with you! Share your win below so we can celebrate your hard work and keep moving health research forward.
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research breakthroughs
“Eureka Talks was a great program. I learned a lot and really enjoyed hearing research scholars speak about their work. It gave me a lot to think about when it comes to my own project presentations.”
Eureka Talks Audience Member
"Participating in a TRIO Studio at the 2026 EQuaTR conference was an informative experience that helped us take a step back and examine our longitudinal engagement strategies through a fresh lens. The sessions brought together varied research professional perspectives and helped elucidate creative ways to reframe our approach to participant retention." 
Mary Akel, MPH
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
TRIO Studio Presenter
"I left with concrete strategies to make my research more accessible and impactful, and I felt supported in practicing and refining these skills. The science comms team created a collaborative environment that made the experience enjoyable and valuable." 
Samantha Addante, PhD
Rush
ITM Pilot Award Finalist
"My work with the ITM as a K Scholar helped me attract additional funding without taking away from my ability to write highly scientific grants. I believe that without this, funders would have been significantly less interested in the research because it would have sounded too technical." 
Phillip Held, PhD
Rush
ITM Pilot Award Finalist and K Scholar
“Eureka Talks is invigorating because we all know we have such passion for the research and you love to do it, you love to investigate, you’re curious. Its nice to come out and talk to people and tell them about what you’re doing and get positive feedback, encouragement, energy - a reminder that what you’re doing matters.”
Sparkle Springfield, PhD
Loyola University Chicago
K Scholar

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LET’S MOVE HEALTH RESEARCH FORWARD

The ITM’s communications team builds the science of human connection into its work serving everyone from world-renowned physicians and researchers, award-winning campaigns, and the National Institutes of Health. Connect with us for sci comm support to give your research life beyond the lab.
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