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NEWS
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Congratulations! on the excellent review by co-authors: Jean-Yves Tano, Robert H. Lee and Dr. Guillermo Vazquez... Figure from the review selected as the cover for May/June 2012 of Channels... Dr. Vazquez says: "Cation channels of the Transient Receptor Potential Canonical (TRPC) group belong to the larger TRP superfamily of channel proteins and are now recognized players in cardiovascular disease. Recent studies in Dr. Vazquez’s lab underscored a key role of TRPC3 in macrophage survival and efferocytosis, two critical events in atherosclerosis lesion development. These observations set a framework for future studies aimed at defining the ultimate functions not only of TRPC3, but probably other TRP channels, in macrophage biology. The review “Macrophage function in atherosclerosis: potential roles of TRP channels” co-authored by Dr. Vazquez and his PhD students Jean-Yves Tano and Robert H. Lee, provides a timely revision of existing evidence on the role of members of the TRP channel superfamily in macrophages and discuss it in the context of the macrophage’s function in atherogenesis." |
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Congratulations! Dr. Andrew Beavis...Recipient of the Robert T. Tidrick Golden Apple
Award for Teaching Excellence in the Basic Sciences. |
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| Dr. Beavis | ||||
| Congratulations! Dr. QiQi Ye |
 Dr. QiQi Ye |
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| QiQi successfully defended her dissertation on May 18, 2012, entitled "Regulation of SRC by alpha 1 Na/K-ATPase." She was awarded her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases). Her mentor is Dr. Zi-Jian Xie. | ||||
| Congratulations! New Investigator Research Award presented to Dr. Guillermo Vazquez, April 2012 |
 Dr. Vazquez |
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| CONGRATULATIONS! to Guillermo Vazquez, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, who was presented with the New Investigator Award at the Faculty Recognition Reception on April 17, 2012. Dr. Nader Abraham, Department Chairman, presented the award to Dr. Vazquez. | ||||
| Varunkumar Pandey... Finalist in the UT Graduate Research Forum! |
 Varunkumar Pandey |
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| Congratulations! to Varunkumar who was a finalist in the March 8-9, 2012 Graduate Research Forum on the Health Science Campus. Varunkumar is in the CVMD Bioscience Track. The title of his poster was: Dexamethasone differentially regulates blood pressure in transgenic mice containing -217A/G polymorphism of human angiotensinogen gene. His mentor is Dr. Ashok Kumar. | ||||
| Congratulations! Dr. Sadeesh Kumar Ramakrishnan |
 Dr. Ramakrishnan |
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| Sadeesh successfully defended his dissertation on March 16, 2012, entitled "Dietary Fat Regulates Metabolic and Mitogenic Effects of Insulin." He was awarded his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases). His mentor is Dr. Sonia Najjar. | ||||
| Congratulations! Dr. Sumona Ghosh |
 Dr. Ghosh |
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| Sumona successfully defended her dissertation on March 16, 2012, entitled "A Novel Role for CEACAM1 in Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation in the Progression of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis." She was awarded her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases). Her mentor is Dr. Sonia Najjar. | ||||
Congratulations! AWARD...Kathryn Smedlund 2011-2012 Satellites Graduate Scholarship
| The 2011-2012 Satellite Graduate Scholarship Awardee, Kathryn Smedlund is a Post-doctoral Fellow in Dr. Guillermo Vazquez's lab. Kathryn’s research focuses on the role of non-selective cation channels of the Transient Receptor Potential Canonical (TRPC) family, in particular TRPC3, in molecular and cellular events associated to atherosclerotic lesion formation and progression, in the laboratory of her mentor, Dr. Guillermo Vazquez, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. Kathryn’s work has resulted in 4 research manuscripts, 2 review articles, 1 book chapter and 12 scientific abstracts, besides numerous presentations. Dr. Vazquez has defined Kathryn’s work as “…extraordinary and of the highest ethical standards. Kathryn’s findings on the role of TRPC3 in atherogenesis will have a sustained and long lasting impact in the field.” |  Dr. Smedlund |
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Congratulations! Damien Earl 2011-2012 Retirees Graduate Scholarship Awardee
| The 2011-2012 Retirees Graduate Scholarship Awardee, Damien Earl is an M.D./Ph.D. student in his third year of medical school. After being awarded the Professor Daniel A. Koechel Scholarship for dedication in the field of medicine and superior academic performance in his first two years of medical school, Damien earned his Ph.D. in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders (NND) Track of the College of Medicine Biomedical Sciences Program studying the regulation of neuronal L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels by flurazepam and other positive allosteric GABA-A receptor modulators in the laboratory of his mentor, Dr. Elizabeth I. Tietz, Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology. Notably, he was awarded a 5-year National Research Service Award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to carry out his graduate studies which resulted in 3 manuscripts, 1 review article, 2 book chapters, 5 scientific abstracts and numerous research presentations. In addition to his research accomplishments, his leadership abilities are recognized both by the faculty and students who elected him to numerous positions including Track Liaison and Secretary to the Council of Graduate Students, President of the Neurosciences Club and the Student representative to the M.D./Ph.D. committee. |  Dr. Damien Earl |
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Nov 30, 2011: Seminar Series: Dean of the Medicine Faculty, University of Pisa, Italy
| On November 30, 2011, the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology was honored by
the visit and seminar of Dr. Mario Petrini, M.D., Dean of the Medicine Faculty at the University of Pisa. Dr. Petrini is located at
the University Hospital in Pisa and is involved in translational research, teaching
and patient care. Prof. Petrini is involved in studying mesenchymal stem cells and his group recently discovered a previously undetected cell population named mesodermal precursor cell. The study is now open to possible clinical applications of these cells. Moreover, he is involved in researching molecular diagnostic prognostic markers in hematological diseases focusing on lymphoma and multiple myeloma. His group is also involved in studying granulocyte function and mobilization and in evaluating the possible therapeutic application of lithium in neutropenia. |
 Dr. Mario Petrini |
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Sept 27, 2011: Program in Physiological Genomics wins awards at the American Heart
Association meeting
Genetic research conducted by Dr. Bina Joe and her colleagues in the Department of
Physiology and Pharmacology was recognized by two awards at the recently concluded
American Heart Association-Council for High Blood Pressure Research meeting held from
Sept 21-24 in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Joe’s postdoctoral fellow Dr. Kathirvel Gopalakrishnan
was awarded the New Investigator Award for his work, ‘Adamts16 is a novel genetic determinant of blood pressure: Evidence from a zinc-finger nuclease
mediated knockout rat’ and the International Society of Hypertension Travel Award
for the poster entitled ‘Impaired endosomal recycling in proximal tubules is mechanistically
linked to proteinuria’. Pictures and details are posted at the Program in Physiological Genomics website.
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Sept 7, 2011: Seminar Series: Interim Chairman of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham
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The Department of Physiology and Pharmacology was honored to welcome seminar speaker, Dr. Anupam Agarwal, M.D., Chairman, Department of Medicine, Marie S. Ingalls Endowed Chair in Nephrology Leadership, Professor and Director, Division of Nephrology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Agarwal presented a seminar on “Adaptive Responses in Renal and Vascular Injury: Role of Heme oxygenase-1.” After the seminar the Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases (CVMD) students met with Dr. Agarwal to discuss the seminar presentation.
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*** NEW HORIZONS ***
Drs. Shapiro and Joe are in serious collaboration in the establishment of a hypertension
center:
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| Dr. Joseph Shapiro | Dr. Bina Joe | ||||||
Dr. Shapiro’s and Dr. Xie’s longtime collaboration led to the seminal discovery on how ions regulate the function of the heart. He is not only a highly respected nephrologist and cardiologist, but an internationally acclaimed academic scientist who has been at the forefront of renal-cardio disease for over 25 years and is renowned for his extensive original contribution to renal disease research. Drs. Bina Joe and Joseph Shapiro are in serious collaboration in the establishment of a hypertension center. Dr. Joe focuses her work on the understanding of the genetic underpinnings of the complex physiological network associated with the etiology of hypertension. One would like to see specific results on how this researcher made this approach come to fruition. Her work on rat Chromosome 1 required a fearsome amount of work and perseverance. Dr. Joe did not stop her research with mere rat models but went on to find out that single nucleotide polymorphisms within this gene in humans are associated with blood pressure in the Quebec Family Study and also in a replication study in GenNet. Dr. Joe is funded by three NIH grants. Best of luck!
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June 16-17, 2011: Dr. Robert Gallo invited to 2nd Annual Student Research Forums & 38th Annual Pharmacology Research Colloquium
 Dr. Robert Gallo |
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Dr. Robert C. Gallo, M.D., the internationally known founder and Director of the Institute
of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, was invited by Dr. Nader
Abraham to be the Keynote speaker at research forums on the Health Science Campus:
the 2nd Annual Student Research Forums of Physiology & Pharmacology and CVMD Graduate
Track Program, and to participate in the 38th Annual Pharmacology Research Colloquium
in a one-day special event on Friday, June 17, 2011. These research forums provided
an opportunity for the College of Medicine faculty and graduate students to publicly
acknowledge the achievements of the students and to congratulate them on the progress
of their research, as well as recognize the outstanding role the faculty has played
in the mentorship process of the students. In addition, Dr. Gallo was invited by
the College of Medicine to be the speaker at the Medicine Grand Rounds on June 16.
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April 28-29, 2011: Nobel Laureate invited to give joint lectures on Health Science Campus
 Dr. Ferid Murad |
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Dr. Abraham invited Ferid Murad, M.D., Ph.D., the 1998 Nobel Laureate to give joint
lectures between the Departments of Medicine and Physiology & Pharmacology. Dr. Murad received an Honoree Degree of Medicine which was presented by Dr. Lloyd
A. Jacobs, the President of the University of Toledo and Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, Professor,
Chancellor and Executive VP for Biosciences & Health Affairs, Dean of the College
of Medicine, in a special ceremony held at The Hotel at The University of Toledo.
Dr. Murad’s winning of the Nobel Prize for discovering that NO is nitroglycerin’s
secret weapon against angina had an odd coincidence noted by some after the Nobel
awards presentation. Alfred Nobel, the Swedish chemist who founded the famous prize
named after him, made his fortune using nitro glycerin to invent dynamite. In fact,
Dr. Nobel suffered from angina and his doctor once advised him to take nitroglycerin
to ease his chest pain. The industrialist would not take the compound, saying that,
in his case, it caused headaches. Dr. Murad held a 2-hour scientific discussion with
the graduate students in the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases (CVMD) Track.
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April 6, 2011: STEM CELL BASIC SCIENCE AND CLINICAL APPLICATION SYMPOSIUM
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This mini-symposium was organized by Dr. Nader Abraham and dedicated to Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, Professor, Chancellor and Executive VP for Biosciences & Health Affairs, Dean of the College of Medicine, for his support of the basic science programs and the future establishment of a bone marrow and transplant center. The purpose of this stem cell symposium was to invite international speakers and experts to present their latest work and research on stem cells at what appears to be a critical time in the clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells. Chaired by Drs. Shapiro and Ebraheim, the mini-symposium comprised a 3-hour intensive experience on the basic science of stem cells, clinical application and emphasis on cardiovascular, bone disease, neurodegenerative disease and diabetes. Goals were set to establish a strong connection between basic science and translational research; to expose students and post-doctoral/fellows to multiple stem cell types and the reasons for selecting a given cell type in research and the clinic; to show the ethical aspects for the use of stem cells. UT’s stem cell team is led by Dr. Abraham, a pioneer in this rapidly evolving and important field since the 1980’s.
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April 6-9, 2011: Dr.Edith Mensah-Osman attended the 4th International Congress on Prediabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome
The abstract submitted to the Scientific Committee for this Congress was accepted and Dr. Mensah-Osman gave an oral presentation on the topic: "Menin- is an anti-incretin and anti-orexin factor modulated by food-intake and diet." |
 Dr. Mensah-Osman |
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Jan 20-Feb 21 2011: Health Science Campus Art Show |
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Coming Attractions, 2012, by John Turner |
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Jan 10, 2011: John Turner’s BLM research award featured in UTNews:
Wild horse birth control offers solution to overpopulation in Western states
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John Turner’s research funded by the US Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program is featured on the front page of the current issue of UTNews, published Jan 10, 2011. The article begins: Researchers at The University of Toledo have developed an effective birth control vaccine for wild horses that could be the answer to much of the ongoing controversy regarding the United States’ efforts to control the animals’ population growth. Picture shows John injecting a mare with the contraceptive vaccine. |
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Working with the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management, Dr. John Turner, UT professor of physiology and pharmacology, has led a team that developed a vaccine — named PZP — that prevents a mare’s egg from connecting with a sperm cell, blocking fertilization.
If you cannot find a printed copy, the full article and pictures may also be seen on the web. Dr. Turner received $2,968,867 in funding for this project. Congratulations John!
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Dec 17, 2010: Andrew Beavis receives outstanding faculty award On Dec 17, the Physician Assistant Program held their annual End of Program Ceremony honoring the 30 Physician Assistant graduates. This was the second class to graduate from the program since it joined the College of Medicine. Following PA Dept Chair Dr. Patricia Hogue’s welcome to the students, family and friends, Jeffrey Gold, MD, Provost and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Dean of the College of Medicine offered some inspirational words and welcomed the students to the health-care profession. In addition to many students receiving awards, 3 Outstanding Faculty Awards were presented. The recipients were Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology faculty Andrew Beavis, PhD, who is director of the PA pharmacology courses, and PA Department faculty April Gardner and Jay Peterson. Dr. Beavis said it was particularly gratifying to receive this award because the recipients were selected by the graduating students. |
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October 13, 2010: Guillermo Vazquez appointed to Cardiovascular Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry editorial board Congratulations to Dr. Vazquez who has been appointed to the Editorial Advisory Board of the journal Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry). This journalpublishes all the latest and outstanding developments in medicinal chemistry and rational drug design related to new Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents. Each issue contains a series of timely in-depth reviews and original research articles written by leaders in the field covering a range of current topics in Cardiovascular & Hematological medicinal chemistry. |
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