June
FROM THE DEAN
Our annual alumni weekend is scheduled for August 1-2, 2008. This year we are celebrating the 25th reunion of the Class of ’83 as well as the reunion for the classes of ’88, ’93, ’98 and 2003. The weekend will feature a wide range of activities including:
- Continuing Medical Education (CME) Symposium
- Dean’s Welcome Dinner and tours of the Reynolds Medical Building and Simulation Center
- White Coat Ceremony and Reception
- Cocktail reception and Reunion ’08 dinner
For more information, visit: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/audiences/alumni/reunion/index.html
Additionally, here are some of the items for interest this month:
- Commencement was a great success! It was a wonderful celebration of our students and was great to see the families so excited. Dr. Yamada was an excellent speaker and a delightful person. Special congratulations to our graduate and Anderson award winners, Dr. Danielle Lewis and Dr. Tate Nice.
- Congratulations to all the students and faculty who received awards at the Senior Banquet. Your hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed!
- Dr. Robert Hash has officially accepted the position as Vice Dean for Academic Affairs. His official start date is July 7, but he will be here a few times in June to meet with people and get acclimated.
- As you all may have noticed in the newspaper, the HSC Campus in Bryan did not make the agenda for the Board of Regents meeting last week. They have hit some financial snags which need to be worked out before we can move forward.
- We will officially open our Houston campus on June 2 when Dr. David Huston and his group begin their clinical practice. Dr. Huston will be the Vice Dean for the Houston Campus, and he is bringing several members of his group with him. In addition to seeing patients, Dr. Huston and his group will pursue an active research agenda.
- Dr. Charles Foulks, Interim Chair of Medicine will be leaving us to become the Chair of Medicine at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. I want to thank Dr. Foulks for his service to the College, and I wish him the best in his new position!
- Dr. Alejandro Arroliga has been appointed as the new Interim Chair of Medicine. I look forward to working closely with Dr. Arroliga during the next months.
- Performance reviews should be completed. If not, please make every effort to complete them immediately, as they were due May 30.
- The College of Medicine promotional video is now available for viewing online at: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/communications/video-gallery/med-video/index.html.
You can watch the video in its entirety by clicking the link above, or watch specific sections by using the tabs on the left side of the video player.
I hope you all have a great month!
COLLEGE NEWS
Hash to Join COM as Academic Affairs Vice Dean
Robert B. Hash, M.D. will be joining the College of Medicine as Vice Dean for Academic Affairs July 7, 2008. Dr. Hash most recently served as Senior Associate Dean for the Mercer University School of Medicine campus in Savannah. Prior to that assignment, he was Mercer’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and served in the dean’s office since 2002.
Dr. Hash received his M.D. degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 1982 and completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Louisville and Family Medicine training at Mercer. He has been board certified in Emergency Medicine, is currently board certified in Family Medicine, holds a C.A.Q. in Sports Medicine, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
For the full story, visit: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/communications/news/29may2008.html
Faculty Research Colloquium Slated for June 11
The College of Medicine Faculty Advisory Committee is sponsoring a Faculty Research Colloquium to be held quarterly, alternating between the College Station and Temple campuses. The next colloquium will be held in College Station and simulcast to Lecture Hall 2 Education Center in Temple Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. College of Medicine researcher Dr. Arthur Johnson will be the featured speaker.
A reception including light snacks and adult beverages will follow the colloquium in College Station and Temple. Please RSVP by Friday, June 6 to Mary Ann Wolff at mawolff@medicine.tamhsc.edu and provide the location you will be attending.
STUDENT NEWS
2008 Cadaver Ball
The following awards were given at the 2008 Cadaver Ball:
Student Awards
1st Year Class of 2011
- Biochemistry - Oliver Wu
2nd Year Class of 2010
- Organ Systems- Ravi Kumar
- Anatomy/Neuro- Nick Byrge
- Physical Diagnosis: Mike McNeil
- Preceptorship: Erin Kreml and Curtis Copeland
- Community Service: John Reneau and Drew Weiner
Faculty Awards
1st Year Class of 2011
- Most Passionate – Dr. Chen
- Golden Screw Award – Dr. Sohrabji
- Most Likely to i-click/quiz – Drs. Dohrman and Chen
- My Buddy – Dr. McCord
- Best Entertainer – Dr. Dohrman
- Proud Papa – Dr. Peterson
2nd Year Class of 2010
- Class Friend – Mr. Nettum and Dr. Brandt
- Best Block - Hematology and Cardiovascular
- Best Dept. – Family Medicine
- Best Lecturer – Dr. McMurray
FACULTY NEWS
Arroliga Appointed Interim Chair of Internal Medicine
Alejandro Arroliga, M.D. has been appointed Interim Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at Scott & White and the College of Medicine. A faculty member since September 2006, Dr. Arroliga is a Professor of Internal Medicine and the Director of the Division of Pulmonary, Sleep and Critical Care Medicine. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Arroliga specializes in acute respiratory failure (ARDS), pulmonary hypertension, bronchogenic carcinoma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and bronchial asthma.
For the full story, visit: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/communications/news/16may2008.html
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE NEWS
OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Salazar Joins OED
The Office of Educational Development is pleased to announce Ms. Jeannette Salazar as the new Senior Office Assistant. Ms. Salazar has previously worked as a Business Coordinator in the Department of Employee Services at TAMU and brings considerable administrative support experience to OED. For assistance or information about OED programs, she can be reached at 979-458-2023. Please join us in welcoming Jeannette to the College of Medicine.
Assistant Director Search Underway
Recruitment is underway for the position of Assistant Director of OED. The rapidly expanding educational programs in the COM will require additional expertise in curriculum design, program evaluation and educational research. We hope to have this position filled in the next few months.
Curricular Goals & Objectives Study Results
OED has recently completed a study of COM course and clerkship content related to the COM Curricular Goals and Objectives document and the teaching methodologies used in delivery of the curriculum. The results have been reported to the Dean’s Staff and the Curriculum Committee, and can be accessed at: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/dean/newsletter/2008/files/grand-rounds-june2008.pdf
OFFICE OF RESEARCH & GRADUATE STUDIES
Scholarship Opportunities Available
Allied Health Student Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: November 1, 2008
http://www.pearsonhighered.com/scholarships/alliedhealth
The Bressler Prize in Vision Science
Amount: $40,000
Deadline: December 31, 2008
http://www.jbg.org
The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Amount: $20,000 maintenance and half tuition up to a maximum of $16,000 per academic year
Deadline: November 1, 2008
http://www.pdsoros.org
BASIC SCIENCE DEPARTMENTAL NEWS
HUMANITIES IN MEDICINE
Congratulations, Dr. Barbara Gastel!
Barbara Gastel, M.D. has recently been promoted to Professor, Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences and Humanities in Medicine. Dr. Gastel is a valued member of the Department of Humanities in Medicine and her expertise in medical journalism both here and abroad is an asset to our department and the College of Medicine.
Richard DeVaul, M.D. ABC Interview
To highlight National Mental Health Awareness Month, Dr. Richard DeVaul was recently interviewed by ABC News. Dr. DeVaul stressed the many changes made in recent years with the treatment of mental illness and how society views this illness. There is an ever-growing need for more advancements in treatment and care of the mentally ill person. To view the interview in its entirety, visit: http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4797149
Recent Publications
Sanders, CW, Sadoski, M, Wasserman, RW, Wiprud, R, English, M and Bramson, R. Comparing the effects of physical practice and mental imagery rehearsal on learning basic venipuncture by medical students. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 27, 117-127 (2008).
MICROBIAL & MOLECULAR PATHOGENESIS
Grants Received
Dr. Julian Leibowitz was awarded a two year R03 grant entitled “Role of MHV S protein Fc receptor Activity in Immune invasion in the CNS”.
Recent Publications
Ly, LH, Russell, MI and McMurray, DN. Cytokine profiles in primary and secondary pulmonary granulomas of guinea pigs with tuberculosis. Am J Resp Cell Molec Biol 38: 455-462 (2008).
Park, B, Subbian, S, El-Etr, SH, Cirillo, SLG and Cirillo JD. Use of gene dosage effects for a whole-genome screen to identify Mycobacterium marinum macrophage infection loci. Infection and Immunity. Published ahead of print on 28 April 2008, doi:10.1128/IAI.00015-08 (2008).
Dr. McMurray saw a report on an historic meeting between US, Japanese and Chinese TB researchers and public health officials published this month in Tuberculosis. The meeting was held in September, 2007, in Zhengzhou, China. Sugawara I, McMurray DN. Meeting report: Tuberculosis research in China- a historic meeting: China-Japan-US Tuberculosis International Seminar and US-Japan Cooperative Medical Science Program 42nd Tuberculosis and Leprosy Research Conference, 2007. Tuberculosis 88: 268-270 (2008).
Scientific Presentations
Two oral presentations made at the Experimental Biology ’08 meeting in San Diego from 5-8 April by graduate students working on Dr. McMurray’s NIH-funded collaborative project with Dr. Robb Chapkin. The complete citations are:
- Kim, W, Fan, Y-Y, Barhoumi, R, McMurray, DN and Chapkin, RS. Genetically-derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids promote the formation of lipid rafts at the immunological synapse: a site of T cell activation.
- Jia, Q, Weeks, BR, Callaway, ES, Davidson, LA, Fan, Y-Y, Zhou, L, Lupton, JR, Chapkin, RS and McMurray, DN. Dietary lipids and curcumin interact to affect mortality of DSS-treated mice by modulating colonic epithelial injury.
Dr. McMurray had three researchers from his lab (Dr. Jeevan, Dr. McFarland & Dr. Yamamoto) present posters, based upon their NIH-funded contract work with Colorado State University and collaboration with the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Tokyo, at the Third International Conference on TB Vaccines for the World, which was held at the CDC in Atlanta from 9-11 April. The complete citations are:
- McFarland, C, Izzo, A, Ly, L, Yamamoto, T, Jeevan, A and McMurray DN. The cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) model of pulmonary tuberculosis.
- Jeevan, A, Yoshimura, T, McFarland, C, Dobos-Elder, K and McMurray DN. Development and application of immunological reagents to the study of vaccine-induced resistance to tuberculosis in guinea pigs.
- Yamamoto, S, Yamamoto, T, McFarland, C, McMurray, DN, Haga, S, Yamakazi, T, Goto, Y, Maeyama, J, Honda, I, Seki, M, Koyama, A and Yano, I. Protective activity of two subpopulations from Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) Japanese substrain with different RD16 regions.
MOLECULAR & CELLULAR MEDICINE
Grants Received
Dr. Gregg Wells received a grant subcontract NIH/NIDCD for "Calcium Regulation of Mechanotransduction" from Stanford University for the period 1/1/08-12/31/12. Total Costs $138,353.
Recent Publications
Alder, NN, Jensen, RE and Johnson, AE. "Fluorescence Mapping of Mitochondrial TIM23 Complex Reveals a Water-Facing, Substrate-Interacting Helix Surface", Cell, in press (2008).
Lakkaraju, AKK, Mary, C, Scherrer, A, Johnson, AE and Strub, K. "SRP Maintains Nascent Chains Translocation-Competent by Slowing Translation Rates to Match Limiting Numbers of Targeting Sites", Cell 133, 440-451 (2008).
Scientific Presentations
Dr. Arthur Johnson gave an invited talk "FRET-detected Folding and Biogenesis of Nascent Membrane Proteins" at the 13th Annual Structural Biology Symposium, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX on May 16, 2008.
Dr. Johnson is also the featured speaker for the TAM HSC Faculty Research Colloquium on Wednesday, June 11, 2008. His talk is entitled "Fluorescence-Detected Protein Trafficking at Membranes".
NEUROSCIENCE & EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS
Grants Received
Dr. Farida Sohrabji received a supplement award to AG R01 027684 for equipment purchase for $14,366.
Recent Publications
Bake, S, Ma, L and Sohrabji, F. “ER Overexpression Suppresses 17b-estradiol Mediated VEGF expression and Activation of Survival Kinases.” Endocrinology Epub PMID: 18450951 (2008).
Ellerton, EL, Thompson, WJ and Rimer, M. Induction of zinc-finger proliferation-1 expression in non-myelinating Schwann cells after denervation. Neuroscience 153: 975-985 (2008).
Peng, J, Zou, YH, Jiang,W, Ji, XB Chen, XY, Zhang, YH, Peng, SX and Chiou, GCY. Effects of enantiomers (R,R)-XY and (S,S)-XY on ocular blood flow in rabbits. International J. Ophthalmol. 8:437-441 (2008).
Cheng, YW and Chiou, GCY. Antioxidant effects of hydralazine on retinal pigment epithelial cells. International J. Ophthalmol. In press (2008).
Scientific Presentations
Dr. Rajesh Miranda presented "Teratology and MicroRNAs: A story of competing epigenetic influences on neural stem cell maturation” at the Oklahoma University Health Science Center as a visiting professor at Aging Grand Rounds, held May 12, 2008. He also presented “MicroRNAs control teratogen-sensitivity of fetal cortical neural progenitors” at the University of Toledo Health Science Center on May 20.
SYSTEMS BIOLOGY & TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
Faculty
Dr. Mariappan Muthuchamy attended the "Thick and Thin Filament Regulation in Striated Muscle" meeting at Madison, Wisconsin, May 2008.
Recent Publications
Dougherty, PJ, Davis, MJ, Zawieja, DC and Muthuchamy, M. Calcium sensitivity and cooperativity of permeabilized rat mesenteric lymphatics. Am J Physiol Regu. Integr Comp Physiol 294: R1524-R1532 (2008).
Scientific Presentations
Dr. Cindy Meininger presented “Tetrahydrobiopterin: Enzymatic Cofactor and Endogenous Antioxidant” to the faculty of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the West Virginia School of Medicine, in Morgantown, West Virginia, May 2008.
Dr. David Zawieja presented “Flow-dependent Modulation of Lymphatic Function” at the Laboratory for Mechanobiology and Morphogenesis, Institute of Bioengineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, Switzerland, May 2008.
CLINICAL DEPARTMENTAL NEWS
INTERNAL MEDICINE
For the Executive Summary for the department, click here.
The Internal Medicine residents recently competed at the South Texas ACP Annual Resident Competition and placed as follows:
- 1st Place in Research Podium Competition
- 1st Place in Research Poster Competition
- 1st Place in Clinical Vignette Competition
Congratulations to the Internal Medicine Residency Program for their outstanding performance and to the leadership of the program, led by Dr. Stephen Sibbitt.
“The success of the residency in this effort, first and foremost, is attributed to the residents and their faculty mentors,” Dr. Sibbit says. “Secondly, the enormous effort put forth by the chief Residents and Associate PDs (Jack Myers and Curtis Mirkes) and Program Coordinators (Barbara Edwards and Carol Bandas) was absolutely essential. Finally, the continuous support of our Chair, Dr. Foulks is sincerely appreciated.”
Faculty
Gianfranco Alpini is a Member of American Liver Foundation from 2008-2011.
Dr. Alpini also chaired a scientific session, “The Hepatic Stem Cell Niche”, at The Adult Stem/Progenitor Cell Niche Meeting in Brussels, March 13-15.
Recent Publications
Alvaro, D, Onori, P, Alpini, G, Franchitto, A, Jefferson, DM, Torrice, A, Cardinale, V, Stefanelli, F, Mancino, MG, Strazzabosco, M, Angelico, M, Attili, M and Gaudio, E. Morphological and functional features of hepatic cyst epithelium in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Am J Pathol 172:321-32, 2008.
Glaser, SS. Biliary atresia: is lack of innate immune response tolerance key to pathogenesis? Liver Int. May;28(5):587-8 (2008).
Glaser, S, Gaudio, E, Francis, H, Ueno, Y, Onori, P, Franchitto, A, Venter, J, Alvaro, D, Vaculin, B, Kopriva, S, Savage, J and Alpini, G. Bile acid feeding prevents hepatic artery ligation-induced bile duct injury in bile duct ligated rats (BDL) by PI3K/Akt-dependent activation of cholangiocyte VEGF-A expression. Gastroenterology 134: S1590 (2008).
Mancino, A, Mancino, MG, Glaser, S, Alpini, G, Bolognese, A, Izzo L, Francis, H, Onori, P, Franchitto, A, Ginanni-Corradini, S, Gaudio, E, and Alvaro, D. Estrogens stimulate the proliferation of human cholangiocarcinoma by inducing the expression and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor. Dig Liver Dis. Apr 3. [Epub ahead of print] (2008). PMID: 18395502.
Venter, J, Glaser, S, Wise, C, Francis, H, Vaculin, B, Kopriva, S, Savage, J and Alpini, G. Castration reduces cholangiocyte hyperplasia and secretin-stimulated ductal secretion of bile duct ligated (BDL) rats by downregulation of the cAMP-dependent ERK1/2 pathway. Gastroenterology 134: S1589 (2008).
Wise, CE, Venter, J, Alpini, G, Vaculin, B and Glaser, S. Chronic administration of nicotine induces biliary proliferation in both normal and rats with extrahepatic cholestasis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). Gastroenterology 134: S1591 (2008).
Wise, C, Pilanthananond, M, Perry, BF, Alpini, G, McNeal, M and Glaser, SS. Mechanisms of biliary carcinogenesis and growth. World J Gastroenterol. May 21;14(19):2986-9 (2008).
Yang, L, Jung, Y, Huang, J, Omenetti, A, Witek, RP, Choi, S, Alpini, G and Diehl, A. Glial fibrillary acidic protein(+) progenitors regenerate adult livers. Gastroenterology 134: 768 (2008).
Scientific Presentations
Heather Francis, research assistant and first year graduate student (Internal Medicine & SBTM) received a $1,000 Scholar-in-Training award to attend the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting in San Diego in April, 2008. She presented “The activation of H3/H4 histamine receptors induces a decrease in cholangiocarcinoma growth”, authored by Heather Francis, Sharon DeMorrow, Julie Venter, Shelley Kopriva, Bradley Vaculin, Jennifer Savage and Gianfranco Alpini. See the PDF from the meeting program with a photo and quote from Heather.
Sharon DeMorrow, Assistant Professor (Internal Medicine) presented the following abstract at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting in San Diego in April, 2008: “Serotonin enhances the effects of epidermal growth factor receptor activation on matrix metalloproteinase-9 in cholangiocarcinoma.” Authors were Heather Francis, Gianfranco Alpini, Julie Venter and Sharon DeMorrow.
Gianfranco Alpini gave a lecture at the University of Rome La Sapienza for the Department of Human Anatomy on April 28, entitled “Sensory regulation of cholangiocyte growth”.
The following presentations were given at the AASLD meeting in San Diego at the Digestive Diseases Week held in May:
- Heather Francis presented “Evidence for a novel role for histamine regulation of cholangiocarcinoma growth by an autocrine mechanism.” Authors were H. Francis, S. DeMorrow, J. Venter, S. Kopriva, B. Vaculin, J. Savage and G. Alpini.
- Sharon DeMorrow presented “Reactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by central administration of corticotropin releasing hormone inhibits cholangiocyte proliferation during extrahepatic cholestasis.” Authors were T. Davis, H. Francis, Y. Ueno, M. Stutes and S. DeMorrow.
- Candace Wise presented “Chronic administration of nicotine induces biliary proliferation in both normal and rats with extrahepatic cholestasis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL).” Authors were C. Wise, J. Venter, G. Alpini, B. Vaculin, and S. Glaser.
- Shannon Glaser presented “Bile acid feeding prevents hepatic artery ligation-induced bile duct injury in bile duct ligated rats (BDL) by PI3K/Akt-dependent activation of cholangiocyte VEGF-A expression.” Authors were S. Glaser, E. Gaudio, H. Francis, Y. Ueno, P. Onori, A. Franchitto, J. Venter, D. Alvaro, B. Vaculin, S. Kopriva, J. Savage and G. Alpini.
- M2 student Benjamin F. Perry presented “Activation of ERK1/2 by Nicotine Stimulates Cholangiocarcinoma Proliferation.” Authors were B. Perry, C. Wise, M. McNeal and S. Glaser.
- Julie Venter presented “Castration reduces cholangiocyte hyperplasia and secretin-stimulated ductal secretion of bile duct ligated (BDL) rats by downregulation of the cAMP-dependent ERK1/2 pathway.” Authors were J. Venter, S. Glaser, C. Wise, H. Francis, B. Vaculin, S. Kopriva, J. Savage and G. Alpini.
ACADEMIC MEDICINE NEWS
For the latest AAMC news, visit http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/aamcstat/aamcnews.htm. A subscription option is available to receive free weekly updates.
DATES TO REMEMBER
- June 26: Dean’s Town Hall Meeting; 4 p.m. – Lecture Hall 1, RMB
- June 23: First day of clinical rotations for M3 students
- July 3-4: Independence Day holiday – COM offices closed
- July 28 – August 1: Orientation Week for M1 students
- August 1: CME Symposium; 12-4 p.m. – Hyatt Place Hotel
- August 1: Dean’s Welcome Dinner; 5:30-8 p.m. – RMB courtyard
- August 2: Class of 2012 White Coat Ceremony; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Rudder Theater
- August 2: Reunion ’08; 6-10 p.m. – Bush Rotunda and Annenberg Center
Christopher C. Colenda, M.D., M.P.H.
The Jean and Thomas McMullin Dean
Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
147 Joe H. Reynolds Medical Building
College Station, TX 77843-1114
Phone: 979/845-3431; Fax: 979/847-8663
Email: colenda@medicine.tamhsc.edu
