The following 16 awards totaling more than $1.3 million were granted to College of Medicine faculty during February.
Runqing Lu, Ph.D., genetics, cell biology and anatomy, has received a National Institutes of Health award for $400,000 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Dr. Lu’s work explores the role of ‘notch’ cellular signaling on the genetic rearrangement of immunoglobulin and the maturation of marginal zonal B Cells (MZB). Mutations of ‘notch’ are found in more than 20 percent of marginal zone derived B cell lymphomas. This work will contribute to the knowledge of how these B cell malignancies develop.
Adam Case, Ph.D., cellular and integrative physiology, has received a National Institutes of Health award for $100,000 from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. These fellowship awards are given to promising postdoctoral applicants who have the potential to become productive and successful independent researchers. Dr. Case will continue his work on the role of free radicals and the immune system on hypertension. This research is funded by the American Heart Association.
Tara Gries, Ph.D., internal medicine – pulmonary, has received a National Institutes of Health award for $50,000 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. These fellowship awards are given to promising postdoctoral applicants who have the potential to become productive and successful independent researchers. Dr. Gries’ project will explore the anti-inflammatory effect of a macrophage-derived mediator of inflammation resolution (maresin) when used in the treatment of organic dust-induced airway disease.
Industry-sponsored contracts
The following industry-sponsored contracts and foundation grants also were received. Information on clinical trials enrolling patients at UNMC can be found here.
Arthur Easley, M.D., internal medicine – cardiology, is the UNMC lead on a clinical trial to determine whether the electrical treatment provided by a special type of pacemaker, a Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) pacemaker, may keep a patient’s heart failure from worsening.
Vijay Shivaswamy, M.B.B.S., internal medicine – diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism, is the UNMC lead on an international, clinical trial to compare the cardiovascular safety of two long-acting basal insulin analogues in patients with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk of cardiovascular events.
Corrine Hanson, Ph.D., School of Allied Health Professions, has been awarded an Iowa State University grant to study the role of maternal vitamin D levels and placental transfer on the vitamin D status of the newborn.
Andre Kalil, M.D., internal medicine – infectious diseases, is the UNMC lead on an interventional clinical trial to determine the safety and effectiveness of a combination of two antibiotics delivered by aerosol to the lungs of ventilated patients with pneumonia. The study will determine if there is a synergistic effect of the combined drug over conventional single drug treatment.
Austin Thompson, M.D., internal medicine – pulmonary, is the UNMC lead on a multi-center clinical trial to assess the long-term safety of an endothelin receptor antagonist in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Michelene Hearth-Holmes, M.D., internal medicine – rheumatology, is the UNMC lead on an observational study to assess the long-term adverse events in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who have been treated with a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits B-cell activating factor.
Quan Dong Nguyen, M.D., ophthalmology & visual sciences, is the UNMC lead on an interventional, multi-center, industry sponsored clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a corticosteroid delivered by intravitreal insert on the management of non-infectious uveitis.
Carol Toris, Ph.D., ophthalmology & visual sciences, has received two contracts for her work in the treatment of ocular diseases.
John Colombo, M.D., pediatrics pulmonology, is the UNMC lead on an observational study to evaluate the risk of cataracts in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) on long-term treatment with a drug which improves the function of a defective protein caused by the G551D mutation in CF.
Cheryl Williams, M.D., radiology, has received a contract to assess the impact of certain types of breast implants on post-implantation radiologic mammography.
David F. Mercer, M.D., Ph.D., surgery – transplant, is the UNMC lead on a clinical trial to assess the pharmacokinetic safety and pharmacodynamics of a new drug to treat short bowel syndrome.
Peggy Bottjen, School of Allied Health Professions, has received a Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska award for her role in the Whirling Thunder Wellness Program. Whirling Thunder promotes optimal health in the people of the Winnebago nation by focusing on the importance of exercise and nutrition.