Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) , in collaboration with Penn State Berks, hosted the 2025 Berks County Community-Driven Research Day at the Penn State Berks campus. More than 90 people took part in the event, creating a vibrant space for connection and conversation. The program showcased community voices and academic research coming together to tackle some of the most urgent health challenges in Berks County.
Guided by the theme "Fostering Meaningful Collaboration," the organizers set out to make the event be more than just a symposium, but rather a lively meeting ground for connection and shared purpose. Community voices took center stage, with 54 leaders representing 38 unique organizations across Berks County. They were joined by 40 Penn State researchers and faculty from the Berks, University Park, Harrisburg, and Hershey campuses, each bringing distinct expertise and a commitment to addressing real-world health challenges.
"Community-Driven Research Day in Berks County was an amazing opportunity to strengthen relationships between Penn State researchers and local organizations, foster new collaborations, and advance efforts to improve health outcomes across the region," observed Miriam Miller, Penn State CTSI's community engagement coordinator and the event organizer. "With more than 38 Berks County organizations represented, local leaders shared firsthand the challenges their communities face - as well as the creative, community-rooted solutions they are pursuing. Events like this are so important - they foster authentic dialogue, deepen trust and lay the groundwork for research that is truly responsive to community needs."
Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz from the Council on Chemical Abuse said of the day's spirit of collective problem-solving, "Unless we all come together, we may never know what resources, expertise, or passions we have,"
