Biography

Salina P. Waddy is the associate director of clinical affairs for the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program and chief of the CTSA Program Clinical Affairs Branch within NCATS’ Division of Clinical Innovation. In this capacity, she directs the activities of the Trial Innovation Network, which includes the Trial Innovation Centers and the Recruitment Innovation Center, and she oversees clinical activities across the CTSA Program, including trials of nationally important health conditions. Prior to joining NCATS, Waddy served in significant scientific and administrative roles in clinical trials and health disparities research, increasing trial recruitment and inclusion of minorities and women in clinical research. Her federal work has included studies working with communities and scientists across the United States and in several African nations. Waddy has increased the diversity of the scientific workforce, particularly in neurological disorders, by developing programmatic initiatives that provide mentorship and skill development to early-career-stage mentees while increasing the opportunities of the trainees to work on large-scale scientific projects.

Prior to joining NCATS, Waddy served as the director of stroke and inpatient neurological services at the Atlanta Veterans Medical Center and as a program director at several NIH Institutes and Centers.

Professional Interests

Waddy’s scientific interests include health system interventions, clinical trial efficiency, health disparities, community-engaged research and genetics.

Selected Publications

1. Defining Optimal Brain Health in Adults: A Presidential Advisory from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
2. Research Capacity. Enabling the Genomic Revolution in Africa
3. Concomitant Use of Gabapentinoids with Opioids Is Associated with Increased Mortality and Morbidity Among Dialysis Patients
4. The Science of Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID): A Framework for Advancing Research Priorities in the Cerebrovascular Biology of Cognitive Decline
5. Epilepsy and Antiseizure Medications Increase All-Cause Mortality in Dialysis Patients in the United States