Translational Health Research Center

What Translational Health Research Center does

The Translational Health Research Center (THRC) is an interdisciplinary health research center operating within Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Established in 2017, THRC coordinates projects, programs, and partnerships spanning faculty-led research, community health initiatives, and workforce development. Its core portfolio includes the Zeus Online Learning platform (a micro-credentialing system for healthcare and industry professionals), Project ECHO TXST (a virtual learning network connecting faculty with over 1,300 partner institutions and 1.5 million people worldwide), and CHERR (Community Health & Economic Resilience Research, a designated Center of Excellence). Supporting programs include the Faculty Fellows Program (30+ interdisciplinary researchers across Texas State departments), Student Fellows Program, Health+Resilience Research Network, INSPIRE workforce development initiative, CRP-Texas (clinical research apprenticeships), Bobcat BioCatalyst (bioscience workforce program), and Data Science Pathways.

THRC's underlying technology stack combines machine learning, data science, and AI-augmented research methodologies applied across health resilience topics including brain health, diabetes care transitions, disaster response modeling, firefighter health, and rural mental health. The center hosts interactive data dashboards (e.g., school district resilience data, disaster response planning) and operates ECHO virtual focus groups using the "all teach, all learn" model. THRC leverages seven U.S. patents (held by affiliated faculty Dr. Jelena Tešić) covering machine learning, data science, and image analysis technologies, and has produced 101+ peer-reviewed publications. Partner integrations span the Texas Education Agency, Texas Department of State Health Services, Copewell/Johns Hopkins, McKenna Foundation, Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, Bastrop County Cares, and academic institutions including University of Arizona, Columbia University, and UNC Chapel Hill.

THRC operates as a non-commercial university research unit and does not sell products or services. Its revenue mechanics consist of grant funding (federal and foundation grants), institutional support from Texas State University, and philanthropic contributions. Research support and platform access are provided to Texas State faculty, students, and community partners at no cost. The center's go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on events (Health Scholar Showcase, ECHO TXST sessions, H+R Research Network meetings), social media channels, earned media, and direct community engagement rather than traditional commercial sales.

Name

Translational Health Research Center

Legal name

Translational Health Research Center

Website

https://healthresearch.txst.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Translational Health Research Center (THRC) is a Texas State University research center that runs interdisciplinary health research programs, the Zeus online micro-credentialing platform, and the ECHO TXST virtual learning network serving Texas faculty, healthcare professionals, and community partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Health Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health, Health Promotion & Behavior Change (SBCC) (BPADAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health Systems Strengthening & Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Partnerships (HLAJAOAL), Patient Engagement, Education & Messaging Platforms (portal/CRM integrated) (HLALABAJ)

Keywords

• Interdisciplinary health research
• Community resilience research
• Workforce development programs
• Translational health science
• Virtual learning networks

Headquarters

HQ city

San Marcos

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: THRC supports researchers in obtaining grant funding for health research projects. The center itself operates as part of Texas State University and receives institutional support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Translational Health Research Center (THRC) is an academic research center at Texas State University that supports impactful, innovative, interdisciplinary health research programs conducted in collaboration with university faculty, students, and community members. It operates research programs (CHERR, Faculty Fellows, Student Fellows), virtual learning networks (Project ECHO TXST, Mental Health and Brain Health Community Collaboratives), an online micro-credentialing platform (Zeus), and workforce development initiatives (INSPIRE, CRP-Texas, Bobcat BioCatalyst, Data Science Pathways) addressing rural health disparities, mental health, disaster resilience, and healthcare workforce gaps across Texas.

Product overview

The Translational Health Research Center (THRC) is a research center at Texas State University that operates as a multi-product platform offering various research programs, educational platforms, and community engagement initiatives. The core portfolio includes Zeus Online Learning (a micro-credentialing platform), Project ECHO TXST (virtual learning networks), CHERR (Community Health & Economic Resilience Research as a Center of Excellence), Faculty and Student Fellows Programs for research collaboration, the Health + Resilience Research Network for campus-wide networking, and the INSPIRE workforce development initiative encompassing CRP-Texas and Bobcat BioCatalyst programs. Additional offerings include Data Science Pathways, the Health Scholar Showcase annual event, and Mental Health and Brain Health Community Collaboratives as ECHO series. These products collectively support interdisciplinary health research, workforce development, and community resilience across Texas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zeus Online Learning An online micro-credentialing platform serving healthcare and industry professions in Texas by creating pathways to degrees, certifications, or fast-tracked careers in high-demand fields. Offers evidence-based training for workforce development, translating research into practical solutions for the community.
• Project ECHO TXST A virtual learning network that connects researchers and community members to ensure best practices are accessible to all, fostering healthy, resilient people and communities. Uses videoconferencing and collaborative dialogue to connect faculty with partner institutions and people worldwide.
• CHERR (Community Health & Economic Resilience Research) A strategic initiative and Center of Excellence that invests in select research projects impacting Texans through a 'Better Together' approach, uniting experts and communities while promoting transparency in research data and methods.
• INSPIRE (Industry-Synced Pathways for Innovation, Research, and Excellence) A workforce development initiative strengthening the Texas workforce by preparing students for in-demand careers and supporting economic resilience through industry-aligned workforce solutions, addressing critical skills gaps in healthcare and STEM sectors.
• The Central State A Central Texas consortium focused on improving resilience in San Antonio and Austin Metropolitan Service Areas using evidence from health research, providing free resources to improve community quality of life.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1.5 million people reached through ECHO network globally
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• The Central StatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA consortium focused on improving resilience in the San Antonio & Austin Metropolitan Service Areas using evidence from health research. Provides free, easy-to-use resources to improve community quality of life.
• Copewell/Johns HopkinscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA suite of evidence-based tools that leverage county-level data to help communities identify gaps and improve community resilience after disasters.
• NetPHDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAiming to understand how rural Texans manage health issues, particularly in Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) and counties without hospitals.
• Bastrop County CaresmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Rural Mental Health Symposium bringing together professionals, community leaders, and stakeholders to shed light on mental health challenges faced by rural Texans.
• Mental Health Community CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal health professionals and advocates aiming to identify needs and find actionable mental health solutions through virtual community of practice.
• NuevamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA sustainable, scalable food delivery application for underserved elderly populations in a 12-county region of Central Texas.
• ZeuscoreTechnology or IntegrationAn innovative online learning platform offering short-term, postsecondary credential opportunities to create a stronger workforce in high-demand fields.
• GRIT AwardsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecognizing innovative actions taken by Texas small businesses to demonstrate resilience and establishing a network across the state.
• University of ArizonamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating on nutrition and metabolic disorders research with Dr. Nicholas Joseph Bishop.
• Columbia UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating on nutrition and metabolic disorders research with Dr. Ka Kahe.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel HillmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating on nutrition and metabolic disorders research with Dr. Martin Kohlmeier.
• Texas Education AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState education agency partner for Resilience in Texas Public Schools research project.
• San Marcos Consolidated ISDmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school district partner for resilience research and data dashboard development.
• Eanes ISDmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school district partner for resilience research and data dashboard development.
• Texas Department of State Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState health agency partner for disaster response and public health preparedness research.
• Center for Health Emergency Preparedness & Response (CHEPR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch center partner for health emergency preparedness and disaster response modeling.
• McKenna FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity foundation focused on advancing well-being of New Braunfels community; invested over $28 million to nonprofits serving Comal County.
• Hogg Foundation for Mental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor mental health foundation providing policy guidance and community support for the Mental Health Community Collaborative.
• NAMI Central TexasmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Alliance on Mental Illness affiliate providing mental health advocacy and support services in Central Texas.

Scale indicators4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Scripps Research Translational Institute: Academic translational research institute focused on bridging research and real-world health outcomes, directly comparable in mission to THRC's translational mandate.
• Project ECHO (University of New Mexico): The original ECHO model developer. THRC operates Project ECHO TXST as a local implementation; both share the hub-and-spoke virtual learning network model for healthcare and community knowledge dissemination.
• Hogg Foundation for Mental Health: Texas-based mental health policy and research foundation partnering with THRC on the Mental Health Community Collaborative; operates similar community-engaged mental health research and grantmaking programs.
• Copewell (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School): Johns Hopkins-developed suite of evidence-based community resilience tools that THRC partners with; comparable focus on translating data into actionable community resilience interventions.

Broad incumbents

• Population Health Research Institute: Large-scale clinical and population health research institute conducting translational research across multiple disease areas — comparable in scope to THRC's interdisciplinary health research model.
• MD Anderson Cancer Center: Major Texas-based research institution with growing community outreach and population health programs that overlaps with THRC's cancer-related resilience and survivorship research.
• UTHealth Houston School of Public Health: Texas-based public health school with extensive community health, rural health, and health disparities research portfolio that competes with THRC for state and federal public health funding in Texas.

Regional players

• Dell Medical School at UT Austin: Austin-based medical school running population health and community health research initiatives in Central Texas, directly overlapping THRC's Central Texas focus and partnerships.
• UT Health San Antonio: Major San Antonio-based academic health institution conducting community health, mental health, and translational research across the same South-Central Texas geography THRC serves, often competing for the same federal and state grants.
• Texas A&M University School of Public Health: Texas-based public health school with active rural health, mental health, and community resilience research — overlapping THRC's research areas and competing for the same Texas-based federal and foundation funding.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/THRCtxst
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@THRCtxst
• Facebookfacebook.com/THRCtxst
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thrctxst
• Instagraminstagram.com/THRCtxst

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Translational Health Research Center