Download - Methodology Spring 2014
METHODOLOGYThe Research and Education Newsletter of Houston Methodist
>> CONT. PAGE FIVE
WINTER SPRING 2014
The new George and Angelina Kostas Research Center for Cardiovascular Nanomedicine at the Houston Methodist Research Institute began operations this month after receiving a generous gift from George J. and Angelina P. Kostas.
George and Angelina Kostas gift propels heart & vascular nanotechnology research at Houston Methodist
Houston Methodist Foundation
The groundbreaking center will foster international collaboration and bring
together faculty working in cardiovascular disease and nanomedicine to
investigate how emerging technologies in nanomedicine can be used to
heal damaged hearts and vascular tissue. This gift will also fund a yearly
international annual meeting on cardiovascular nanomedicine. From left to right: Alan B. Lumsden, M.D., Ch.B., R.V.T., F.A.C.S.;
Georgia Kostas Nichols; Marc L. Boom, MD, FACHE; George J. Kostas; Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D.; Pamela Kostas Walker;
Guillermo Torre-Amione, M.D., PhD, FACC; and Cynthia G. Kostas
We are deeply grateful for the visionary leadership of our strategic planning chairs. Their work will define the future of the Houston Methodist academic enterprise.
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Patients
PrecisionMedicine
Biotherapeutics & Regenerative
Medicine
Outcomes, Quality &
Health Care Performance
innovative education
INSTITUTE FOR ACADEMIC MEDICINE STRATEGIC PLAN 2013-2018
– Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D., Houston Methodist
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
I’d also like to share with you the vision our faculty have for the future of Houston Methodist. A year ago, the Houston Methodist faculty embarked on a landmark journey to create the first 5-year strategic plan for research and education at Houston Methodist. This plan was essential to the formation of the Institute for Academic Medicine envisioned by our president and CEO, Dr. Marc Boom. We were honored and fortunate to have Dr. antonio Gotto accept the position of chair of the strategic planning process.
Dr. Gotto has a long and distinguished history that gives him a unique understanding of Houston Methodist and our academic partner Weill Cornell Medical College. He collaborated extensively with Dr. Michael DeBakey while at Houston Methodist and Baylor College of Medicine, and then presided as Dean of Weill Cornell Medical College during a period of enormous growth, raising more than $2 billion for capital campaigns.
Together, faculty leadership and more than 250 stakeholders throughout Houston Methodist provided the vision and built the plan that will differentiate us in the years to come. By leveraging our collective clinical, research, education and administrative strengths, they identified three key areas where we will continue to innovate and lead:
This January marked the beginning of the implementation for the strategic plan, which will be led by Dr. Barbara Bass, chair of the Department of Surgery and the Council of Chairs Strategy Committee. Dr. Bass brings the visionary leadership that built MITIESM to the IAM, as we work together to position Houston Methodist as a national leader in these areas. Our faculty are deciding the best ways to collaborate and align their clinical and academic initiatives across all our hospitals, centers and institutes to achieve these shared goals.
I encourage you to remain engaged in the process of advancing the strategic plan by attending the strategic Grand Rounds and Town Hall meetings. You can also find examples of how our strategic plan is coming to life all around you in this newsletter and in our weekly eNews.
Thank you for your dedication to the academic mission of Houston Methodist. I look forward to working with all of you as we continue leading medicine.
Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D.
Ernest Cockrell Jr. Distinguished Endowed ChairPresident and CEO, Houston Methodist Research InstituteDirector, Institute for Academic MedicineExecutive Vice President, Houston Methodist
Welcome to the winter issue of Methodology, a newsletter that celebrates the Houston Methodist faculty innovations in research and education. We hope you enjoy reading about the tremendous success of projects like Dr. Alan Lumsden’s Pumps & Pipes conference, Dr. Stan Appel’s phase II ALS clinical trial, and Dr. Lidong Qin’s woodblock technique-inspired cell array printing technology.
Precision MedicineBiotherapeutics & Regenerative Medicine
Outcomes, Quality & Health Care Performance
>> CONT. PAGE FOUR
by xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Featured News
The Kostas Center ....................... 1
A Vision for the Future ................. 2
Strategic Grand Rounds ............... 6
Implementation of strategic plan launched ................ 7
SciVal Project ............................... 8
The Office of Strategic Research Initiatives ...................... 8
Pumps & Pipes unites Houston’s top three industries .... 9
Just two weeks in orbit causes changes in eyes .............10
New ALS drug headed for phase II trial at Methodist ..........11
Early stages of breast cancer could soon be diagnosed from blood samples ....................12
Research Highlights ..........14
Clinical Research Services expand at Houston Methodist ..15
Inside the Institute ............16
Houston Methodist Research Art Contest ..................................16
Compaq co-founder Canion discusses getting new medical technologies to market faster ....18
ICARE MOMENTS .................19
Education News ...................20
2014 UH/HMRI Graduate Fellowship Proposals Selected ..23
Awards & Accolades .........24
New Funding Awards & Applications .....................25
New Employees ...................26
New Visitors ..........................26
Contents
Special thanks to the Institute for Academic Medicine strategic planning leadership:
integration Committee Antonio Gotto, Mauro Ferrari, Roberta Schwartz, Dirk Sostman, Barbara Bass,
Ed Jones, William Winters, Richard Robbins, Richard Stasney, Ann Scanlon McGinity, Donna Gares,
Dan Newman, Robert Phillips, Beryl Ramsey, Chris Siebenaler, Wayne Voss
Barbara Bass & James Musser, Precision Medicine Chairs
Osama Gaber, John Cooke, & Xian Li, Biotherapeutics & Regenerative Medicine Chairs
Carol Ashton, Nelda Wray, & Maureen Disbot, Outcomes, Quality & Health Care Performance Chairs
Tim Boone, Education Chair
Osama Gaber, Transplant Chair
Alan Lumsden, Heart Chair
Stan Appel, Neuro Chair
Jenny Chang, Cancer Chair
Tim Boone & Brad Weiner, Ortho & Regenerative Medicine Chairs
Nelda Wray & Carol Ashton, Outcomes & Quality Chairs
Anne Meyn, Patient Engagement
subcommittees members:
Andrea Apple, Kapil Bhalla, David Baskin, David Bernard , Jett Brady, Nancy Brinlee, Donald Briscoe,
Brian Bruckner, Brian Butler, May Cahill, Shiela Coggins, Neal Copeland, Peggy Creany, Roland Cruickshank,
Catherine Currier-Buckingham, Paolo Decuzzi, Stuart Dobbs, Don Donovan, Mike Donovan, Brian Dunkin,
Robert Eardley, David Engler, Jerry Estep, Bridget Fahy, Matt Fink, Jeff Friedman, Jaime Gateno,
Mark Ghobrial, Linné Girouard, Alessandro Grattoni, Bob Grossman, Rebecca Hall, Dale Hamilton,
Shannan Hamlin, Eric Haufrect, Alicia Hernandez, Robert Jackson, Nancy Jenkins, Stephen Jones,
Adrienne Joseph, Soma Jyothula, Alan Kaplan, Robert Kidd, Lisa Kiehne, Paula Knudson, Jenny Lai,
Andrew Lee, Xian Li, Mike Liebl, Matthias Loebe, Joseph Masdeu, Katherine Meese, Susan Miller,
Charles Millikan, Angie Mitchell, Joseph Naples, Dan Newman, Liisa Ortegon, Samir Patel, Judy Paukert,
Mariana Pope, Eammon Quigley, Miguel Quinones, Michael Reardon, Gustavo Roman, Harish Seethamraju,
Haifa Shen, Tong Sun, Ennio Tasciotti, Pauline Todd, Miguel Valderrábano, Luz Venta, Rongfu Wang,
Paul Webb, Stephen Wong, Amy Wright, Xiaofeng Xia, William Zoghbi
strategic Planning administrative team:
Rebecca Hall, Strategic Planning Project Manager
Robert Mittman, Strategy Consultant, Facilitation, Foresight, Strategy
Tom Benthin, Hahn Hoang, Homer Quintana, Kari Stein, Tong Sun, Sawana Tillet
MESSAG
E FRO
M TH
E PRESID
ENT
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Angelina P. Kostas and George J. Kostas
Kostas Center GiftThe Kostases, American-born children of
Greek immigrants, have a long tradition of
philanthropic gifts, including establishment
of The George J. Kostas Research Institute
for Homeland Security (2010) and The
George J. Kostas Nanoscale Technology
and Manufacturing Research Center at
Northeastern University (2003) in Boston,
George Kostas’ alma mater. The George J.
Kostas Research Institute for Homeland
Security is a secure building at Northeastern
University, Burlington Campus. Its mission
is to conduct classified research to protect
Americans in the face of 21st century risks.
Northeastern awarded him in 2008 an honorary
Doctorate of Sciences and the President’s
Medallion award. After his retirement from
Conoco in 1972, where he was manager of
the Organometallics Division, he founded
and has been president of TESCO (Techno
Economic Services Inc.) for 30 years. Under
his leadership, TESCO developed a revolu-
tionary new process, based on his patents,
termed “Xenoclad”, which plates aluminum in
an atomic form on metal substrates to render
them resistant to corrosion. George Kostas
was recruited in 1943, along with seven other
engineers, to start and operate the first U.S.
synthetic rubber manufacturing plant which
was already being built in Baytown, Texas. In
1946, Kostas was appointed a member of the
U.S. Research & Development Committee
and served in this capacity until 1955 when
the government decided to exit the synthetic
rubber program.
The Kostas Center will be directed by the
Research Institute President & CEO Mauro
Ferrari, Ph.D., and the Heart & Vascular
Center Medical Director Alan B. Lumsden,
M.D at Houston Methodist. Together with
an executive committee, they will guide the
center’s development, approve new research
initiatives and initiate collaborative ventures.
The center’s program and working group
leaders include some of Houston Methodist’s
>> CONT. FROM PAGE ONE
Angelina, “Lea,” a woman of deep faith, grace, and warmth, and devoted lifelong member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, served as a member of the Philoptochos charitable society for 70 years, and board member for 40 years. During World War II, Lea served as a spotter for enemy aircraft over the Houston area. Married for 62 years, George and Angelina are the parents of four, talented daughters. The Kostas family has been generous supporters of the Annunciation and St. Basil’s Greek Orthodox Churches of Houston. They built the St. George Chapel and then donated it to the Cathedral. St. Basil’s church honored Mr. Kostas by naming the Education Center in his honor. In 2008, they honored Lea Kostas by naming the Auditorium in her honor.
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leading faculty, including Guillermo Torre-Amione, M.D., Ph.D., Elvin Blanco, Ph.D., Miguel
Valderrábano, M.D., John Cooke, M.D., Ph.D., Ennio Tasciotti, Ph.D., William Zoghbi, M.D.,
and Paolo Decuzzi, Ph.D. The groups are designed to work in sequence, a bit like runners
in a relay race, to move discoveries quickly from the lab to clinical trials.
One example project the new center will tackle is the use of non-toxic, silicon-based nanoparticles
to dismantle and disperse the fatty plaques that often form along the inner sides of blood vessels.
These plaques contribute to hypertension. When larger plaques are dislodged, they can cause
blockages downstream, leading to heart attacks and strokes.
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Read more online: HoustonMethodist.org/hmrinews
Strategic Grand RoundsThe Institute for Academic Medicine Strategic Grand Rounds is a monthly lecture series addressing advances in Precision Medicine, Biotherapeutics & Regenerative Medicine, and Outcomes, Quality & Health Care Performance. National and international leaders in these areas are invited for this series, and Houston Methodist leadership will address institutional progress toward the goals of the strategic plan throughout the year. For more information contact: [email protected]
Employees can access live webcasts and recorded sessions on the intranet.
2014 Event Speaker
February 7 Martha and D. Gibson Walton Lecture Series Mary-Claire King, Ph.D.
February 24 President’s Distinguished Lecture Cato Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.
March 28 Education & SciVal Update Tim Boone, M.D., Ph.D.
Rebecca Hall, Ph.D.
April 16 MIT-EF Flagship Program - Panel & Speakers Clive N. Svendsen, Ph.D.
Advances in Regenerative Medicine Eckhard U. Alt, MD Ph.D.
Moderator: John Cooke, M.D., Ph.D. James T. Willerson, M.D.
Joseph Gold, Ph.D.
May 13 Strategic Plan Implementation Update Barbara Bass, M.D.
June 17 Institute for Academic Medicine Update Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D.
July Outcomes Research Nelda Wray, M.D., MPH
Carol Ashton, M.D., MPH
August Infrastructure for the Strategic Plan & Ed Jones, MBA
The Office of Strategic Research Initiatives Tong Sun, MBA
September 9 Marialuisa Ferrari Lectureship for Life Philip A. Pizzo, M.D.
October 9 George and Angelina Kostas Research Center TBA
for Cardiovascular Nanomedicine Annual
International Meeting
November Strategic Plan Implementation Update Barbara Bass, M.D.
“The implementation committee began work on several key areas: defining the academic operational structure, fostering and retaining junior faculty, optimizing recruitment to advance the strategic plan, and building the clinician scientist ranks to bridge strategic areas targeted for growth. ”
The Institute for Academic Medicine (IAM)
strategic planning process, chaired by Antonio
Gotto, M.D., D. Phil, concluded in late November
of 2013. The implementation will be led by
Barbara L. Bass, M.D., the John F. and Carolyn
Bookout Distinguished Endowed Chair of
Surgery and chair of the Houston Methodist
Council of Chairs Strategy Committee.
Implementation began this month with a kick-
off retreat held at The Houstonian on January 11,
2014, and will continue to meet bimonthly.
Bass opened the IAM Strategy Committee
retreat with a vision for implementation as a true
collaboration between leadership in all areas
of Houston Methodist. The group discussed
the importance of connecting labs to the clinic,
and was tasked in thinking about how the new
Centers of Research Excellence would fit into
the current Houston Methodist framework.
Timothy Boone, M.D., Ph.D., co-director of the
IAM recapped the strategic plan, and gave an
overview of research funding and faculty
metrics. Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D., director of the
IAM and executive vice president of Houston
Methodist, gave an overview of the Foundation
goals and fundraising strategy to support the
strategic plan. Roberta Schwartz, executive
vice president of Houston Methodist Hospital
reviewed the system goals and budget
expectations. Robert Phillips, M.D. reviewed
the Physician’s Specialty Group budget
structure, and Edward Jones, senior vice
president of the Institute for Academic
Medicine reviewed research funding and
clinical trials operations.
To keep up to date on implementation progress,
subscribe to the IAM weekly eNews and
quarterly newsletter by contacting:
Implementation of strategic plan launched
– Barbara L. Bass, M.D.
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Our competitiveness as an academic medical center relies on a cultural fabric of collaboration, woven with the threads of skills and experience within the Houston Methodist family and our network of affiliates and partners. The strategic plan identified a need for better information exchange to build these collaborations and increase our competitiveness for extramural funding opportunities. The SciVal project was launched as part of the Institute for Academic Medicine strategic plan for communications & collaboration to provide Houston Methodist with:
•acentralizedsourceofdetailedacademicprofilesforourfaculty
•accesstocuratedglobalfundingopportunitiesandpublicationdatabases
•toolsforacademicreportingandperformanceassessment
SciVal profiles will become available in 2014 and will be completed for Houston Methodist faculty in 2015. Join us at Strategic Grand Rounds for updates or contact Dr. Rebecca Hall ([email protected]), Director of Communications & Academic Reporting, for more information.
SciVal Project
The goals of OSRI are to increase institutional competitiveness for
large grant opportunities and accelerate the translation of research
projects into clinical applications in the three strategic thrust areas.
The office staff will work directly with investigators throughout the
system to achieve two main goals:
Developing Cooperative institutional extramural Funding Proposals The office will identify and distribute funding opportunities that
position our faculty for success. The office will also assist investigators
to develop large collaborative proposals like the T32 and PO
mechanisms. The office will then coordinate teams with subject matter
expertise, and write, edit, and create budgets for large grant proposals.
Investigators are also provided with guidance through the administrative
processes and requirements for grants and contracts, technology transfer
and intellectual property, regulatory compliance and research protections,
and clinical trial services.
advancing strategic initiatives with intramural Funding Opportunities The office will work directly with The Foundation to develop resources for
an internal fund for research development that advances the strategic
initiatives. OSRI will administer the process for distributing these resources
as seed funding for basic and clinical research by issuing intramural
requests for proposals. These internal funding mechanisms will specifically
be reserved for projects that advance the strategic initiatives, and that
have significant translational potential. Successful proposals will be
assessed by teams of industry and investment experts for market
potential, product development feasibility, and clinical impact.
For more information about OSRI contact:
The Office of Strategic Research Initiatives
The Office of Strategic Research Initiatives Team
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On the surface, no two industries could be more dissimilar than medicine and energy. However, as renowned Houston Methodist cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Alan Lumsden, discovered while sitting next to an oil and gas engineer during an outbound flight, the two industries face surprisingly similar technological challenges. During that flight, Dr. Lumsden and his seatmate broke down some of the essential scientific concepts of importance to both industries, such as fluid flow and imaging of build up inside pipe-like structures.
Pumps & Pipes
unites Houston’s top three industriesby George Kovacik & the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of International Trade & Development
That simple exercise grew into recognition
that representatives of both industries had
a lot to gain by starting a dialogue between
practitioners in the two fields, especially if
it could be facilitated, planned, and creatively
managed. They envisioned a format that
encourages energy engineers, medical
experts, and others to borrow from each
other’s intellectual “tool kits” to solve as-yet
unsolved problems -- and to inspire entirely
new technologies. This was how the first
Pumps & Pipes was conceived, and with
the partnership of Bill Kline, Drilling and
Subsurface Research Manager for ExxonMobil
Upstream Research Company, the inaugural
conference was held in 2007.
Pumps & Pumps is now in its seventh year and
has grown to include the aerospace engineering
and robotics industries. Long-term space
travel, 3-D “bioprinting,” and the fountain
of cardiovascular youth were among the
topics discussed by scientists, engineers,
and doctors discussed at the seventh annual
Pumps & Pipes held on Dec. 9, 2013 at the
Houston Methodist Research Institute.
Registration was maxed out with 250 on-site
attendees and more than 1,000 virtual
attendees from 19 U.S. states and 14
countries watching the live webcast.
The Research Institute auditorium foyer
took on a bit of science museum flair.
NASA Johnson Space Center sent its
“Driven to Explore” exhibit, an elaborate
mobile exhibit that lets visitors experience
a simulated space shuttle launch and learn
about other aspects of the U.S. space
program. There was also an international
art-in-science exhibit by high
school students of STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics).
Previous meetings have mainly convened
experts in energy and medicine, Houston’s two
largest industries. But a concerted effort by
Pumps & Pipes organizers to include top engi-
neers and scientists from NASA Johnson Space
Center has meant a more substantial presence
for aerospace engineering.
Pumps & Pipes seven program directors were
Alan B. Lumsden, M.D., Mark G. Davies, M.D.,
Ph.D., and Stephen R. Igo (Houston Methodist),
William E. Kline, Ph.D. (ExxonMobil Upstream
Research Company), Ioannis A. Kakadiaris, Ph.D.
(University of Houston), and Ellen L. Ochoa,
Ph.D. (NASA Johnson Space Center).
More information about Pumps & Pipes can be
found online at pumpsandpipes.com.
Imag
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om P
umps
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ipes
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Just two weeks in orbit causes changes in eyes
Just 13 days in space may be enough to cause profound changes in eye structure and gene expression, report researchers from Houston Methodist, NASA Johnson Space Center, and two other institutions in the October 2013 issue of Gravitational and Space Research.
Animal Enclosure Modules similar to
the one shown here, being inspected by
Mission Specialist Tracy Caldwell, Ph.D.,
and Pilot Charles Hobaugh aboard Space
Shuttle Endeavor (STS-118), are used to
study animals in low gravity conditions.
Scientists are reporting mice traveling
aboard STS-133 showed evidence of
ocular nerve damage and changes in
eye gene expression.
The study, which looked at how low gravity
and radiation and oxidative damage impacts
mice, is the first to examine eye-related
gene expression and cell behavior after
spaceflight.
“We found many changes in the expression
of genes that help cells cope with oxidative
stress in the retina, possibly caused by
radiation exposure,” said Houston Methodist
pathologist Patricia Chévez-Barrios, M.D.,
the study’s principal investigator. “These
changes were partially reversible upon
return to Earth.”
Since 2001, studies have shown astronauts
are at increased risk of developing eye
problems, like premature age-related
macular degeneration. Experts suspect the
cause is low gravity, heightened exposure to
solar radiation, or a combination of the two.
In Nov. 2011, a NASA-sponsored Ophthalmology study of seven astronauts showed that all
seven had experienced eye problems after spending at least six months in space. Doctors
saw a flattening of the back of the eyeball, folding of the choroid (vascular tissue behind the
retina), excess fluid around and presumed swelling of the optic nerve, or some combination
of these.
High-energy radiation from the sun can cause nasty, extremely damaging chemical reactions
in cells, collectively called oxidative stress. Earth’s atmosphere reflects or absorbs much
of this radiation and is, ironically, a much better shield than the thick metal hulls of space
shuttles and the International Space Station.
If both radiation exposure and gravity loss are to blame, one solution to save astronauts’
eyes might be a spacecraft with a more protective hull and inside, a spinning hamster
wheel that simulates gravity similar to those envisioned by futurist author Arthur C.
Clarke and realized in Stanley Kubrick’s film, 2001: A Space Odyssey.
by David Bricker
NASA Mission Specialist Tracy Caldwell, Ph.D., and Pilot Charles Hobaugh inspect an Animal Enclosure Module aboard Space Shuttle Endeavor.
Damage to eyes isn’t merely a long-term health issue forsome astronauts back on Earth — it could interfere withfuture missions in which any loss of focus or vision makesit difficult for humans to complete long missions, such asround-trip travel to Mars (12 to 16 months) or to the moonsof Jupiter (about two years).
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Phot
o: N
ASA
New ALS drug headed for phase II trial at Methodistby David Bricker
Houston Methodist researchers will soon begin phase IIa clinical trials of TDI-132, a drug
that in animal models has shown promise in reducing the inflammation associated with
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
The purpose of the phase IIa trial is to determine the safety and tolerability of TDI-132 in
ALS patients. Not all ALS patients are eligible to participate. For eligibility requirements,
please visit www.als.net/tDi-132.
TDI-132 is also known as fingolimod, or by its commercial name, Gilenya, a drug
originally developed by Novartis International to treat multiple sclerosis. Preclinical
studies have shown that TDI-132 can decrease the number of immune cells, keeping
cells in lymph nodes from entering general circulation. These studies also indicate
that decreases in the number of these cells can protect against inflammation and
the worsening of symptoms.
The phase IIa trial is being funded by the ALS Therapy Development Institute
(ALS TDI), a non-profit biotech based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ALS Clinical
Research Division Director Ericka Simpson, M.D., is the Houston Methodist site
principal investigator of the study. The principal investigator for the larger trial is
James Berry, M.D., at Massachusetts General Hospital, also one of the study sites.
The other two study sites are University of California, Irvine Healthcare in Orange,
Calif., and Georgia Health Sciences University in Augusta, GA.
“Seeing TDI-132 enter into clinical trial for ALS gives me hope that
people living with ALS may soon be able to fight back,” said
Augie Nieto, an ALS patient and chair of the board at ALS TDI.
Stanley Appel, M.D. , Director
Houston Methodist Neurological Institute
Our primary goal in this trial is to determine the safety of fingolimod in a small trial at four centers in the U.S., including our own MDA/ALS Center at Methodist
“
”
To determine the impact of radiation exposure
on eyes, Chévez-Barrios and lead author Susana
Zanello, Ph.D., a space life scientist at NASA
Johnson Space Center, examined mouse retinal
gene expression on the 1st, 5th, and 7th days
following a 13-day trip aboard space shuttle
Discovery (STS-133), measuring indicators of
oxidative and cellular stress. The researchers
also examined the eyes and surrounding tissues
for broad changes in structure and shape that
could relate to low gravity. They maintained
two controls on Earth — one in which mice were
kept in the same general conditions as those
aboard the shuttle, and one in which mice were
maintained in typical, Earth-based care facilities.
Mice returning to Earth showed immediate
evidence of oxidative stress in their retinas.
But the increased expression of six oxidative
stress response genes appeared to return to
normal by the seventh day on Earth. An indicator
of oxidative stress in the cornea was also elevated
one day after mice had returned from orbit, but
returned to near-normal levels by the seventh day.
“This suggests oxidative stress in the retina and
lens are at least partially reversible under the
circumstances of the experiment,” Chévez-Barrios
said. “This was after a relatively short time in
orbit. We don’t know if damage caused by longer
periods of oxidative stress will be more severe.
Only more studies with longer exposure times
may help answer this question.”
Zanello is affiliated with the Universities Space
Research Association, a consortium founded by
NASA and the National Academy of Sciences.
Also contributing to the Gravitational and
Space Research paper were Corey Theriot, Ph.D.
(University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston)
and Claudia Prospero Ponce, M.D. (University of
Arizona Health Sciences Center). Work was
funded by the NASA Human Research Program.
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Phot
o: N
ASA
What could someday be the first blood test for the early detection of breast cancer was shown in preliminary studies to successfully identify the presence of breast cancer cells from serum biomarkers, say the Houston Methodist Research Institute scientists who are developing the technology.
Early stages of breast cancer could soon be diagnosed from blood samples
With a New York University Cancer Institute colleague, the
researchers report in an upcoming Clinical Chemistry article
that the mixture of free-floating blood proteins created by the
enzyme carboxypeptidase N accurately predicted the presence
of early-stage breast cancer tissue in mice and in a small
population of human patients.
The technology is not yet available to the public, and may
not be for years. More extensive clinical tests are needed,
and those tests are expected to begin in early 2014.
There are currently no inexpensive laboratory tests for the
early detection of breast cancer, providing the impetus for
researchers around the world to invent them.
“What we are trying to create is a non-invasive test that
profiles what’s going on at a tissue site without having to do
a biopsy or costly imaging,” Hu said. “We think this could be
better for patients and — if we are successful — a lot cheaper
than the technology that exists. While there’s more to the
cost of administering a test than materials alone, right now
those materials only cost about $10 per test.”
In this paper we link the catalytic activity of carboxypeptidase N to tumor progression in clinical samples from breast cancer patients and a breast cancer animal model,” said biomedical engineer Tony Hu, Ph.D., who led the project. “Our results indicate that circulating peptides generated by CPN can serve as clear signatures of early disease onset and progression.
“
”
CPN is an enzyme that modifies proteins after the
proteins are first created. Past studies have only
shown the enzyme is more active in lung cancer
patients. The present report in Clinical Chemistry
is the first to show CPN isn’t merely more active in
breast cancer patients, but there’s also more of it.
The technology being developed by Hu’s group
combines nanotechnology and advanced mass
spectrometry to separate and detect extremely
low levels of small proteins (peptides) created by
CPN. These peptides are believed to originate in
or near cancerous cells, eventually making their
way into the bloodstream.
In animal models and human biopsies, Hu’s group
first determined the presence of breast cancer
tissue, characterized each sample’s stage of
development, and looked at how much CPN was
being expressed. Blood samples were also taken
from each individual.
Blood serum proteins were separated on a
nanoporous silica chip dotted with four nanometer
holes, which captured and isolated smaller
proteins for spectrographic analysis. Using
MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, the researchers
analyzed what remained for the light signatures
of six peptides known to be created by CPN.
by David Bricker
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The researchers compared the stages of breast cancer tissue development
in previously diagnosed patients to the presence of CPN-created peptides
in their blood. They found all six peptides were present at detectably higher
levels, the first pathologic stage of breast cancer. (That stage is defined as
having cancerous cells and a tumor of 2 cm or smaller, or no tumor at all.)
The researchers also found that CPN peptides were present at detectably
higher levels in the blood of mice, compared to controls, just two weeks
after the introduction of breast cancer tissue.
Interestingly, CPN activity dropped significantly over time in mice over the
eight week study period, suggesting the blood test as currently configured
may not work as well in detecting later stages of breast cancer. Hu said he
plans to investigate this phenomenon.
Even at the eighth week, CPN activity was still significantly higher than baseline,” Hu said. “However, we suspect the activity of different enzymes goes up and down as the disease progresses. We will be looking at how we might add known and future biomarkers to the blood test to increase its robustness and accuracy.
“
”
Current means for the early detection of breast cancer
are expensive and are not generally recommended for
prevention by the American Cancer Society. Rather, the
society recommends that healthy women age 40 and older
have a mammogram every year and work with their doctors
to assess their individual risks of developing the disease.
Prior to age 40, the society recommends that women have
a clinical breast exam whenever they visit their doctors,
or else every three years.
Also contributing to the Clinical Chemistry report were
Yaojun Li, Ph.D., Yueguo Li, Ph.D., Tao Chen, M.D., Anna S.
Kuklina, Paul Bernard, Haifa Shen, M.D., Ph.D., and Mauro
Ferrari, Ph.D. (Houston Methodist Research Institute) and
Francisco Esteva (NYU Cancer Institute). Research was
funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Defense, with
additional support from the National Institutes of Health.
“Circulating Proteolytic Products of Carboxypeptidase N
for Early Detection of Breast Cancer” Clinical Chemistry,
doi:10.1373/clinchem.2013.211953
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Research Highlights
by George Kovacik
Deep in the heart of the outpatient
center parking garage, Houston Methodist
Machinist Juan Fernandez
creates everything from medical device
prototypes to research lab tools. Learn more
about Fernandez’s history with Michael
DeBakey and the Texas Medical Center
in the Jan 4 issue of the Houston Chronicle.
Read more on houstonchronicle.com.
Machinist continues legacy of ingenuity
Plato’s Cave Highlighted in ChronicleNear the intersection of Fannin and Old Spanish Trail, Plato’s cave offers new 3-D technology to
create virtual patients using real data from such tests as magnetic resonance imaging. Brian Butler,
M.D., chair of radiation oncology, created the technology to ‘preflight’ surgery of a patient, and so
that surgeons can prepare for unique aspects of a patient’s body before surgery begins.
Learn more in the October 2013 issue of the Houston Chronicle.
Phot
o: D
ave
Ross
man
Phot
o: K
aren
War
ren
PCORI Funds LVAD Outcomes Study
Houston Methodist receives multi-million dollar grant from NIH for atrial fibrillation study
Houston Methodist and Baylor College
of Medicine are teaming up to develop
a tool to help patients with heart failure
decide if they want to undergo implan-
tation of a heart pump called a left
ventricular assist device (LVAD). The
study will be funded by an award of up to
$1.3 million from the Patient-Centered
Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).
Partners also include the University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
and UT Houston Health Science Center
School of Public Health. The Houston
Methodist study will be led by Jerry
Estep, M.D., Matthias Loebe, M.D., Ph.D.,
and Brian Bruckner, M.D.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
awarded Miguel Valderrábano, M.D.,
a cardiologist with Houston Methodist
DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, a
grant for more than $3.5 million over
five years to study a novel way of curing
atrial fibrillation by infusing alcohol
into the oblique vein of Marshall.
Atrial fibrillation is a condition that causes
an irregular and rapid heartbeat that in
turn causes poor blood flow to the rest
of the body thus increasing the risk of
fatal stroke. It affects nearly three
million people every year.
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•ProtocolDevelopment
•Budgetandcontractset-up
•Researchnursing/coordinators
•Studydesignandstatisticalanalysis
•Project/sitemanagement
•Datamanagement (CRF Development)
•Regulatorysupport(IND/IDE)
Core Services
The Cockrell Center is a joint project in affiliation with the Research Institute to make
clinical trials available to every patient who needs and wants to participate. Clinicians
interested in running Phase I-IV clinical trials can access Cockrell Center support by
contacting the Academic Office of Clinical Trials.
713.441.3250 | [email protected]
Houston Methodist has expanded the Cockrell Center for Advanced Therapeutics to Houston Methodist Sugar Land and Houston Methodist West Houston, and Houston Methodist Pearland Emergency Care Center.
By Julie Sicam & Resa Labbe-Morris
Clinical Research Services expand at Houston Methodist
RESEA
RCH
HIG
HLIG
HTS
Kai Zhang et al. borrowed concepts
from woodblock printing techniques
to develop a method for constructing
single-cell arrays with close to 100%
cell viability, called block-cell-printing
(BloC-printing). In this method, a network
of microfluidic channels is deposited
onto a glass slide or Petri dish. A cell
culture medium is drawn through the
network of channels and individual cells
are trapped in hook-shaped protrusions
on the array, which can be spaced as
little as 5 µm apart. After the single cells
are allowed to adhere to the substrate,
the BloC mold is removed, leaving the
cells in regularly-spaced single-cell
arrays of any geometric shape desired.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 2014, III: 2948-53
by Kai Zhang, Chao-Kai Chou,
Xiaofeng Xia, Mien-Chie Hung,
and Lidong Qin.
Woodblock technique inspires printed cell arrays
Plato’s Cave Highlighted in Chronicle
Menstrual cycle linked to concussion outcome
Kenneth Podell, Ph.D. of the Houston
Methodist Neurological Institute recently
provided medical expert comments for
a HealthDay wire story. The article
focuses on a University of Rochester
study that looks at how women who
suffer a concussion may heal more
slowly if the injury occurs in the two
weeks leading up to their menstrual
cycle. Read more on health.usnews.com.
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Certified cGMP staff grows to 40
About 50 Research Institute PIs and staff attended
the cGMP Training last November, and 39 people
went on to take the cGMP Certification Test.
All 39 passed and are receiving cGMP Certification
from Ostrove Associates Inc., bringing the
Houston Methodist total to 40.
Inside the Institute
The Houston Methodist Center for Performing Arts Medicine and the Research Institute recently sponsored the first Research Art contest. Seven images were chosen by the CPAM Arts Integration Committee to inaugurate Houston Methodist’s first science-based art gallery exhibit.
Images will be displayed in the Hand and Upper Extremities Physical Therapy Clinic located on the 4th floor of the Scurlock building. CPAM
plans to tour the exhibit throughout the hospital, system hospitals, and community. For more information, please visit the contest website:
www.houstonmethodist.org/CPaM-Research-art-Contest
Congratulations to Matthew Ware, Ph.D. and Biana Godin Vilentchouk, Ph.D.
for their winning entry in the Federation of American Societies for
Experimental Biology’s 2013 BioArt Competition. Their image shows tiny
silica beads used to model how drug-laden nanoparticles are transported
into cells. The image was featured in the NIH Director’s Blog and is open to
public viewing at the NIH Visitor Center located in Bethesda, MD.
Learn more online: directorsblog.nih.gov
Houston Methodist Research Art Contest
BioArt 2013 Exhibit
Mathew Ware, Ph.D. and Biana Godin, Ph.D. won 2013 BioArt Award from the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
Media Highlight
1 2 3
Houston Methodist Research art Contest Winner List: (see images at top of page)
1. Capillary in Failing Heart, Jose H. Flores-Arredondo, Torre-Amione and Serda Labs 2. Orchids in the gut, Fransisca Leonard, Godin Lab 3. The Leukolike Vector, Michael Evangelopoulos, Tasciotti Lab 4. The Approach, Michael Evangelopoulos, Tasciotti Lab 5. Faces of our inner soldiers, Victor Segura-Ibarra, Serda Lab 6. The Polymeric Flower, Jenolyn Francisca Alexander, Godin Lab 7. Uptake of the Multistage Vector, Michael Evangelopoulos, Tasciotti Lab
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INSID
E THE IN
STITUTE
New on the web
Media HighlightStories: 652
Audience: 435.5 million 2013 was a productive year for Houston Methodist researchers in terms of academic publications, but also in terms of
popular media coverage. High-profile stories were featured in USA Today, the Houston Chronicle, and Yahoo Health.
4 5 6 7
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I N T H E N E W S
new videos on the web: Watch them all at methodist.hendrikmvp.com
•Open standards: Lessons on Balancing Risk and Potential, Rod Canion
•Kennedy’s assassination: a Look inside trauma Room One, Robert Grossman, M.D.
•novel targeted therapeutic and imaging agents for Cancer and inflammatory Diseases, Philip Low, Ph.D.
•targeting Beta-amyloid: scientific Cul-de-sac or the Future of alzheimer’s therapy, Martin Sadowski, M.D., Ph.D.
•Pet imaging in neuroscience and Diabetes, Richard Carson, M.D., Ph.D.
•evaluation of the Joint Commission surgical Care improvement Project, Mary Hawn, M.D.
Our web address is changing from tmhri.org to houstonmethodist.org/research. Please make sure to update your email signatures and business cards.
Visit our new websites for: Clinical Research services houstonmethodist.org/clinical-research-services the Cockrell Center for advanced therapeutics houstonmethodist.org/ccat Department of Cardiovascular sciences houstonmethodist.org/cardiovascular-sciences Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration houstonmethodist.org/center-for-cardiovascular-regeneration Rnacore houstonmethodist.org/rnacore
Need help getting your clinical trial information in the web
directory? First you need to make sure the trial is entered
correctly in the CTMS and MORTI. More details are available
online and from [email protected].
Clinical Trials on the web
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INSTITUTE QUICK FACTS
Million in Research Expenditure Worldwide
1400 Credentialed Researchers
Members Worldwide
Trainees
Million in Total Funding
540125
55840
550278
Thousand Sq Ft Research Space
Clinical Protocols
Compaq co-founder Canion discusses getting new medical technologies to market fasterLast December, Invesco Ltd. director and Compaq co-founder and Houston Methodist Research Institute board of directors member Rod Canion presented his ideas about how to improve the process of bringing important medical discoveries quickly and safely to patients.
The talk was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Houston Methodist Research
Institute President & CEO Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D., and included former NCI Director and
FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D., Rice University Practice of
Entrepreneurship Professor Jack Gill, Ph.D., and Bay City Capital investment partner
and Vivaldi Biosciences CEO & President Douglass Given, M.D., Ph.D., MBA.
Watch it online at methodist.hendrikmvp.com
From left to right: Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D.; Jack Gill, Ph.D.; Rod Canion; Douglass Given, M.D., Ph.D., MBA and Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D.
Dr. Jospeh Masdeu joins Houston MethodistJoseph C. Masdeu, M.D., Ph.D., joined Houston Methodist as the Nantz National Alzheimer
Center director in December, and will serve as director of neuroimaging and the Robert
Graham Distinguished Chair in Neuroimaging. Dr. Masdeu comes to us from the National
Institutes of Health, where he served as senior staff physician and scientist in the Section
of Integrative Neuroimaging of the Clinical Brain Disorders Branch. Dr. Masdeu brings
more than 30 years of experience as a clinician, researcher, educator and leader of two
neurology departments.
ICAR
E MO
MEN
TS
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The holiday season brings time with our families and friends, and also many opportunities to put our ICARE values into action. We’d like to share a few of these stories from around the Research Institute.
The Office of Governance & Faculty Affairs organized a central administration team to
adopt a family for the holidays, raising money for gift cards and wish lists for the children.
The family struggles to pay their bills on a single income, with one parent staying home to
care for a daughter and a three-year old son with Downs Syndrome. The Cancer Center,
Office of Research Protections and the Academic Office of Clinical Trials also organized
teams that adopted families in need for the holidays. The Office of External Relations had
individuals volunteering with the Houston Food Bank, the Hillcroft Dental Clinic, City ArtWorks,
and the City of Houston Holiday Project. They helped the city make handmade holidays cards,
deliver them to assisted care facilities, and visiting with the residents over the holiday season.
Tricia Lydick, Senior Executive Secretary, went above and beyond
to help a caller trying to track down medical records for a family
member. The caller reached the main Research Institute line after
several unsuccessful transfers. Tricia stepped in to navigate the
maze and find the right contact number for the grateful caller.
ICARE year in reviewThe Academic Office of Clinical Trials adopts a family for the holidays.
– Damali Keith, FOX 26 reporter
I truly appreciate Ms. Lydick’s kindness and consideration. I have had to take a lot of trips to Michigan, a lot of phone calls to hospitals and a lot of visits to doctors. For most of the people I encounter it is business as usual and there aren’t any attempts to make this battle any easier. I so VERY much appreciate Ms. Lydick and I hope you do as well!
“
”
Over the last year, many individuals throughout the organization volunteered with the Houston Methodist community benefits ICARE in Action program:
ICARE highlight: Tricia Lydick
Jackie nguyen, Diabetes & Metabolic Disease Program
Regina Fernandez, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine
Jennifer Leyendecker, OSRI
Maricela Ramirez, Diabetes & Metabolic Disease Program
Laurie Minze, Diabetes & Metabolic Disease Program
stacy Robinson, Diabetes & Metabolic Disease Program
Colleen Kelly, Communications & External Relations
Carly Filgueira, Genomic Medicine
William May, Genomic Medicine
song Kim, Governance and Faculty Affairs
sawana tillett, Governance and Faculty Affairs
Luanne novak,Governance and Faculty Affairs
shaun stephenson, Grants and Contracts
Krista Walton, Infectious Disease Program
Diane Jaskulski, Laboratory Operations
tara Conrad, MITIE
Jessica Rhudy, Department of Nanomedicine
Kathryn Brinkman, Governance and Faculty Affairs
nelcy Ramirez, Governance and Faculty Affairs
nianxi Zhao, Infectious Disease Program
sunae Kim, Department of Translational Imaging
Clarissa Fenroy, Research Receiving Dock
Michelle shemon, Communications & External Relations
Xiaoping Zhu, Department of Systems Medicine & Bioengineering
Hanh Hoang, Central Administration
Mariana Pope, Governance and Faculty Affairs
eudora Vasquez, Governance and Faculty Affairs
tiffany Polk, Governance and Faculty Affairs
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Education News
Globaleducational
Reach
Continuing Medical EducationTOTAL: 17,000
39 Series 21 National conferences
Graduate MedicalEducationTOTAL: 257
Residents/Fellows2013: 2472018: 303
Research EducationTOTAL: 3,900 (19 countries)
110 Seminars & conferences3500 Attendees131 Postdoctoral trainees (19 countries)67 Graduate students63 Summer students (29 institutions) 10 Undergraduate students 16 High school students
Global Health Care ServicesTOTAL: 3,085 (47 countries)
23 Lectures2853 Lecture participants10 iLEAD participants59 MITIE learners33 CME learners
MITIE Learners
CME
GMEMITIE
IAM
TOTAL: 6,267
858 Courses
Other LearnersTOTAL: 770
Rotating residents (419)Nursing students (100+)Pharmacy students (178)Allied health students (73)
MOREGHCS
GLOBaL eDuCatiOnaL ReaCH
CME • IAM • MITIE • GME • GHCS • MORE
Two fellowship programs have received accreditation from the Accreditation Council
for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME):
These programs will begin training their first class of trainees in July 2014. To see a
comprehensive list of the ACGME accredited and GMEC sponsored residency and
fellowship programs at Houston Methodist, please visit methodistgme.com.
Program director Dr. Jerry Estep
A D V A N C E D H E A R T F A I L U R E A N D T R A N S P L A N T C A R D I O L O G Y
Program director Dr. Alexandria Phan
H E M A T O L O G Y O N C O L O G Y
Three fellowship programs accredited
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Houston Methodist is the first hospital in the nation to achieve American Board of Physical Therapy ‘s accreditation for the Critical Care Physical Therapy Fellowship.
Methodist Academy Summer InternshipBeginning June 2, the Houston Methodist Academy will host 45 students from 10 states and 3 countries for
the summer internship program. Students will join us from 22 institutions including Harvard, Brown, Duke,
Purdue and Rice Universities. For more information contact Amy Wright, (aswright @houstonmethodist.org).
Mentored Clinical Research Training Program Junior physicians can apply for this fast-track program to acquire the skill set
to develop a clinical research project proposal and embark on a clinical research
career pathway. The program is aimed at WCMC and HM early career physicians
who have a strong interest in clinical research but who currently lack the time
to participate in comprehensive clinical research training.
timeline: notification of intent due March 17, 2014
invitation for applications March 19, 2014
application due May 1, 2014
For more information or to apply, visit: ctscd4.ctsc.med.cornell.edu/ctsc/training_and_education/mentored_training_program.
Congratulations to alex Martagon and Jan Lammel (Monterrey Tech students) for graduating on December 13, 2013.
Congratulations to our affiliate, Weill Cornell Medical College, for being named one of the Best Medical Schools for research by the 2015 U.S. News & World Report.
Watch the Annual Presidential Career Symposium sponsored by the TMC PostDoc Association, now available online at apcstmc.org.
EDU
CATIO
N
UPCOM
INg
EVENTS
Education News
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uPCOMinG eVents
april 16 Pluripotent Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine CMe credit available
april 16 Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)
to Model and Treat Neurological Disease CMe credit available
april 16 The Future of Regenerative Medicine -
Advances in Research and Commercialization
april 16-17 New Frontiers in Therapeutics: Drugging the Undruggable
april 24-25 Multi-scale Cancer Systems Biology Symposium
april 30 New Tools in the Detection of Breast Cancer
CMe credit available
May 1 Health Care Reform: A Continually Changing Landscape
May 2 Training the Exceptional Surgeon:
A Human Factors Perspective
May 8 Tissue-engineered Nerve Grafts for Peripheral and
Central Nervous System Repair
May 13 Strategic Plan Implementation Update
June 17 Institute for Academic Medicine Update
Join toastmasters to polish your next presentationLooking to develop speaking and leadership skills? Join the Houston Methodist Toastmasters Club. Meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month (R6-124) and fourth Friday of each month (R8-124) at noon. Bring your lunch and eat during the meetings. For more information, contact Darren Schnider at [email protected]
EDU
CATIO
N N
EWS
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2014UH/HMRIGraduateFellowshipProposals SelectedProposals have been selected and student recruitment has begun for the following 2014 UH/HMRI Graduate Fellowship Program projects.
HMRi Mentor uH Mentor Project title
Alessandro Grattoni (Nanomedicine)
Jacinta Conrad and Ramanan Krishnamoorti (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering)
Understanding and modeling nanoparticle transport during drug delivery
Xian Li (Transplant Immunology)
Tianfu Wu (Biomedical Engineering)
Cytokines and costimulatory factors in T cell survival, activation and regulatory function
Edward Graviss (Pathology)
Elebeoba May (Biomedical Engineering)
Engineering models to investigate the impact of immune deficiencies and malnutrition and Mtb metabolic fitness and persistence
Ennio Tasciotti (Nanomedicine)
Ravi Birla (Biomedical Engineering)
Nanodelivery system for cardiac tissue engineering
Stephen Wong (Systems Medicine & Bioengineering)
Kirill Larin (Biomedical Engineering)
Early detection of lung cancer using multimodal assessment of tissue architecture, morphology, and function
Alvaro Munoz (Urology)
Yingchun Zhang (Biomedical Engineering)
Minimally invasive techniques to assess the recovery of bladder function after spinal cord injury interventions
Lidong Qin (Nanomedicine)
Ashutosh Agrawal (Mechanical Engineering)
Exploiting the distinct mechanical characteristics of cancer cells for optimizing cellular transport
Lidong Qin (Nanomedicine)
Jiming Bao (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
Synthesis of H2O2 nanocatalysts for next generation point-of-care volumetric-bar-chart-chip
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Awards & Accolades AWAR
DS &
ACCOLADES
2013 Dottie and Jimmy C. adair Myelodysplastic syndrome treatment and Research Fund award
•Dr.SwaminathanP.Iyer,CMML/MDS/AMLMETEORDatabase
•Dr.StevenWong,FastTrackDrugRepositioningforMyelodysplastic Syndromes Biomarkers
•Dr.RongfuWang,EpigeneticReprogrammingandDifferentiationin Myelodysplastic Syndromes
•Dr.HaifaShen,TargetingtheRootofDiseaseforEffectiveTreatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes
translational imaging 2013 Pilot Project awardees
•Investigators:Drs.PaoloDecuzziandVickiColvin Project Title: Magnetic Nanoconstructs for the Early Detection
and Ablation Therapy of Tumors
•Investigators:Drs.ZhengLiandYouliZu Project Title: Molecular Imaging with Nucleic Acid Aptamers
Copeland & Jenkins honored for research impact
Drs. Neal Copeland & Nancy Jenkins were listed as some of the most highly influential biomedical researchers in a recent publication by Boyack et al based on bibliometric analysis of their research impact from 1996-2011.
Houston Methodist Research institute: the Movie wins ‘addy’ award
The new Research Institute movie received a 2014 American Advertising Association Award for Best-of-the-Best in Houston. A special thanks to the entire Research Institute & MITIE for their help during the script development and filming over the last year.
Watch it online now: houstonmethodist.org/abouthmri
Methodology newsletter wins 2014 Graphic excellence award
Congratulations to creative lead Doris Huang and the IAM Office of Communications and External Relations for receiving a Best in Houston Award of Excellence in the 2014 Graphic Excellence Awards design competition for the Methodology newsletter.
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New Funding Awards & Applications
New FuNdiNg AwArds & ApplicAtioNs
Cancer Research
$300,000, Jenny Chang, 1 yr, National Science Foundation
$60,000, Patricia Chevez-Barrios, 3 yrs, NASA
Applications: Barbara Bass, Kapil Bhalla, Bhuvanesh Dave, Muralidhar Hegde (3), Min Kim, Yi Liu, Shiladitya Sengupta, Chunying Yang
genomic Medicine
Applications: Stephen Ayers, Patricia Chevez-Barrios, Paul Webb (4), Xuefeng Xia
Inflammation & Epigenetics
Applications: Qi Cao, Rongfu Wang, Yicheng Wang, Motao Zhu
Diabetes & Metabolic Disease
Applications: Ke Ma, Willa Hsueh (2)
Infectious Disease
Applications: Osama Gaber, Soma Jyothula
Neurosciences
Applications: Robert Grossman, Santosh Helekar
Transplant Immunology
Applications: Roger Sciammas, Thomas Kaleekal
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
$350,000, Stephen Little, 3 yrs, National Science Foundation
Applications: John Cooke (2), Yohannes Ghebremariam (3), Nazish Sayed, Dipan Shah, Roman Sukhovershin, Miguel Valderrabano
Department of Nanomedicine
Applications: Silvia Ferrati, Biana Godin Vilentchouk (2), Alessandro Grattoni (3), Ye Hu (3), Xuewu Liu, Lidong Qin, Jason Sakamoto (3), Rita Serda, Haifa Shen (2), Ennio Tasciotti (4), Bradley Weiner, Arturas Ziemys
Department of Systems Medicine & Bioengineering
Applications: Yang Cong, Stephen Wong (7), Xiaofeng Xia (2), Zhong Xue (2), Ming Zhan
Department of Translational Imaging
Applications: Santosh Aryal, Paolo Decuzzi (3), Zheng Li (2), Brian O’Neill
Biostatistics
Applications: Leif Peterson (2)
New Members, Employees and Promotions
PromotionsElvin Blanco, Ph.D., Instructor, NanomedicineStanley Fisher, M.D., Associate Member, NeurologyLidong Qin, Ph.D., Associate Member, NanomedicineSteven Shen, Ph.D., Full Member, Pathology & Genomic MedicinePing Wang, Ph.D., Associate Member, Infectious DiseaseKelvin Wong, Ph.D., Associate Member, Systems Medicine & Bioengineering
New MembersSantosh Aryal, Ph.D., Translational ImagingAlessandro Parodi, Ph.D., NanomedicineChun Huie Lin M.D., Ph.D., Cardiovascular SciencesEduard Yakubov, Ph.D., Cardiovascular SciencesEric Bernicker, M.D., Cancer Research ProgramGavin Britz, M.D., M.P.H., NeurosciencesGill Sviri, M.D., M.Sc., NeurosurgeryGustavo Roman, M.D., Neurosciences Research ProgramJorge Darcourt, M.D., Cancer Research ProgramJoshua Swan, Pharm.D., Center for Outcomes ResearchLuca Deseri, Ph.D., NanomedicineLuca Pollonini, Ph.D., SurgeryMuralidhar Hegde, Ph.D., Cancer Research ProgramNazish Sayed, MBBS, Ph.D., Cardiovascular SciencesPhilip Low, Ph.D., AdministrationSeyed Moghimi, Ph.D., Translational ImagingSteve Fung, M.D., Translational ImagingTianfu Wu, Ph.D., Transplant ImmunologyWeidong Le, M.D., Ph.D., NeurologyWing Tak Jack Wong, Ph.D., Cardiovascular SciencesYingchun Zhang, Ph.D., CancerYohannes Ghebremariam, Ph.D., Cardiovascular SciencesZhiqiang Zhang, Ph.D., Transplant Immunology
Cancer Research Daniel Davila Gonzalez, Graduate Research Fellow Michiko Kodama, Postdoctoral Assc Sanjay Adhikari, Research Scientist
Clinical Trials SupportMorgan Yrshus , Clinical Research Nurse
Inflammation & EpigeneticsBaowei Cai, Graduate Research Fellow Changsheng Xing, Postdoctoral Fellow Hongwei Du, Postdoctoral Fellow Jung Sun Kim, Postdoctoral Fellow Ann-Marie Cimo, Scientific Writer
Comparative MedicineChe Kamani, Veterinary Technician II Judit Markovits, Veterinary Pathologist
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences Gang Zhou, Postdoctoral Assc Timo Nazari-Shafti, Postdoctoral Fellow IRachel Kronman-Gross, Sr. Research Coord Christopher Mattair, Research Coord II
Grants and Contracts Rhonda Davenport, Finance Manager
Transplant Immunology Jie Wu, Graduate Research Fellow Yanmeng Peng, Graduate Research Fellow Sunil Kannanganat, Research Assc I Yihui Fan, Research Assc I Peixiang Lan, Postdoctoral Fellow Zhiqiang Zhang, ScientistRoger Sciammas, Scientist
Department of Nanomedicine Giancarlo Canavese, Affiliated Scientist I Maria Scavo, Research Assc I Erkuan Wang, Research Asst II Haiyu Huang, Research Asst II Zhengbao Zha, Postdoctoral Fellow Yang Li, Postdoctoral Fellow IPing-Jung Su, Postdoctoral Fellow II
NeurosciencesXiaoling Wang, Postdoctoral Fellow
Infectious DiseaseJie Xuan, Postdoctoral Fellow
Outcomes & Quality Alexandra Anderson, Research Asst II Sravan Bhagavatula, Graduate Research Fellow Department of Systems Medicine and BioengineeringLin Wang, Postdoctoral Fellow Xi Wang, Postdoctoral Fellow 1
Department of Translational ImagingWeiwei Wang, Postdoctoral Fellow
New Visitors
Department of Cardiovascular SciencesSharleen Botero, Visiting Undergraduate Research FellowOdeaa Al-Jabbari, Visiting Postdoctoral FellowBahij Kreidieh, Visiting Postdoctoral FellowCesar Uribe, Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Systems Medicine & Bioengineering Lin Tian, Visiting Graduate Research Fellow
Department of Translational ImagingIlaria Zivi, Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow
MITIEGuillaume Joerger, Visiting Graduate Research FellowFanny Verdier, Visiting Graduate Research Fellow
NanomedicineShawn Jacob, Visiting High School StudentSarah Hmaidan, Visiting Graduate Research FellowBronwyn Scott, Visiting Undergraduate Research FellowZhizhou Yang, Visiting ScientistLedu Zhou, Visiting ScientistDechen Zhang, Visiting Graduate Research Fellow
NeurosciencesCinzia Chiandetti, Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow
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Houston Methodist Research Institute
6670 Bertner Ave.Houston | TX 77030
Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Hall, Ph.D.
Design & Creative Lead Doris Huang
Content Coordinator Michelle Shemon
Photographer Billy Stewart
METHODOLOGYThe Research and Education Newsletter of Houston Methodist
Contributing Writers David Bricker Brenda Hartman Hahn Hoang Colleen Kelly George Kovacik Resa Labbe-Morris Michelle Shemon Julie Sicam Katie Wooldridge
Read more online: HoustonMethodist.org/hmrinews
Office of Communications and External RelationsInstitute for Academic MedicineIAMNEWS-002 | 04.2014 | 500
Research around the cornerThe Houston Methodist Hospital and Research Institute in the heart of the TMC form the headquarters of our medical research and education programs. The Cockrell Center for Advanced Therapeutics has offices throughout the greater Houston area to support clinical trials closer to study participant homes or workplaces. For more information, contact 713.441.1261 or visit houstonmethodist.org/research.
LEADINg MEDICINE IN gREATER HOUSTON
HOUSTON METHODIST RESEARCH INSTITUTE (Texas Medical Center) 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, Texas 77030 houstonmethodist.org/research
COCkRELL CENTER FOR ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS
CCAT & PHASE 1 RESEARCH UNIT - TMC HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL (Texas Medical Center) 6565 Fannin St. Houston, Texas 77030 Phase 1 unit: 713.441.3959 Clinical Trials hotline: 713.441.3250
CCAT–SUgAR LAND HOUSTON METHODIST SUgAR LAND HOSPITAL (U.S. 59 and Sweetwater) 16655 Southwest Fwy. Sugar Land, Texas 77479 713.441.3958
CCAT–WEST HOUSTON WEST HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL (I-10 at Barker Cypress) 18500 Katy Fwy. Houston, Texas 77094 713.441.3250
CCAT–PEARLAND METHODIST PRIMARy CARE gROUP 9430 W. Broadway St., Suite 120 Pearland, Texas 77584 281.485.3434
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