ARC Network Working Groups

 Publication and Presentation Committee (PPC): Advancing Science Together

The Acute Rheumatic Fever Diagnostic Collaborative Network (ARC Network) Publication and Presentation Committee (PPC) is a dynamic team of 10 dedicated members committed to elevating the quality and impact of scientific outputs involving Network resources. Under the leadership of Co-Chairs Dr. Joselyn Rwebembera from the Uganda Heart Institute and Professor Tim Barnett from The Kids Institute, the PPC ensures that all presentations and publications, such as abstracts, posters, manuscripts, and commentaries, are of the highest quality, consistent, timely, equitable, and ethical.

The PPC's primary functions include reviewing and approving proposals, monitoring manuscript development, circulating drafts for Network approval, and resolving disputes related to authorship and content. Members are encouraged to collaborate with the PPC during the planning and submission stages of scientific outputs. The process involves submitting a proposal via a standard intake form, which is reviewed by the PPC within 10 working days. After addressing any comments or revisions, the co-chairs provide final approval for the work to proceed.

Once the authors finalize their content, it is submitted to the PPC for review and approval. The PPC ensures that the content aligns with the original plan and accurately represents the ARC Network, including proper acknowledgment of funding and membership. Following PPC approval, there is a 15-day open review period allowing all ARC members to provide feedback. The PPC coordinates this process and gives final approval to revise and submit the content to the target outlet.

After submission, the primary author should maintain communication with the PPC through the Network Coordinator to provide updates on the manuscript's status, including acceptance, peer review, or revision requests. The Coordinating Center is available to assist with submissions if needed. 

Translational Working Group: Taking ARC’s findings from pipette to point of care

The Translational Working Group (TWG) is dedicated to transforming scientific discoveries into tangible health solutions. By focusing on strategic planning and collaboration, the TWG aims to ensure that innovations progress seamlessly from the research phase to practical application. The leadership of this group consists of: Andrea Beaton and Jonathan Carapetis as Co-Chairs, Rachel Sarnacki as Program Manager, and Ganesan Karthikeyan, Mike Levin, and Scott Tebbutt as Members of the working group.

Leadership Team:

Co-Chairs: Andrea Beaton & Jonathan Carapetis

Program Manager: Rachel Sarnacki

Members: Ganesan Karthikeyan, Michael Levin, Scott Tebbutt

Key Outputs:

Landscape Assessment: Conducting comprehensive evaluations of both market and non-market environments to identify opportunities and challenges in the translational landscape

Stakeholder Mapping & Advocacy Planning: Identifying and engaging key stakeholders, while developing strategic advocacy plans to support the translation process

Partner and Advisor Outreach: Scoping and reaching out to potential partners and advisors who can contribute expertise and resources to the translational efforts.

Preferred Product Characteristics: Defining the desired attributes and specifications of the product to guide development and ensure alignment with market needs.

Partnership & Outcome Criteria: Establishing criteria for selecting partners and measuring outcomes to ensure successful collaborations and impactful results

Development Pathway (Pipeline): Mapping out the stages of product development, from concept to commercialization, to ensure a structured and efficient process.

Business Plan & Pitch Deck: Creating comprehensive business plans and compelling pitch decks to attract investment and support for the translational initiatives

Partnership Agreement: Drafting clear and mutually beneficial partnership agreements to formalize collaborations and delineate roles and responsibilities

Through these strategic outputs, the TWG aims to facilitate the seamless transition of research innovations into practical applications, ultimately improving health outcomes and advancing scientific progress.