News briefs

Dr. Davies lead author on new AAP report
Dele Davies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs, is the lead author of a new American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report. The report "provides comprehensive guidance on factors to consider prior to, during and following the use of biologic response modifiers (BRMs) that dampen the immune system and are used increasingly to treat conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease."

For more information, click here.

Streck names Dr. Wisecarver to its inaugural Scientific Advisory Board
James Wisecarver, M.D., Ph.D., vice chair of clinical operations and professor of the UNMC Department of Pathology and Microbiology, has been named to the inaugural four-member Scientific Advisory Board for Streck, Inc. The board will support Streck's exploration of innovation in medical technology as well as its continued development of molecular diagnostic capabilities. Dr. Wisecarver also is medical director of the clinical laboratory for Nebraska Medicine.

One of the three other members of the advisory board, James Linder, M.D., also has strong ties to UNMC. Dr. Linder is currently chief strategist at the University of Nebraska and president of the University Technology Development Corporation. He previously served as interim president of the University of Nebraska and was interim dean of the UNMC College of Medicine as well as professor of pathology/microbiology for UNMC.

Streck, which is headquartered in Omaha, develops and manufactures products for clinical and research laboratories.

Awards presented at Biochemistry and Molecular Biology symposium
The UNMC Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's annual research symposium was held on Aug. 15. This year's theme for the symposium was cell-cell communication. Punita Dhawan, Ph.D., associate professor at UNMC, gave an overview of the role claudins play in cell communication.

Keynote speaker Brant Isakson, Ph.D., of the University of Virginia, led a seminar titled "How discreet Pannexin 1 Cellular Interactions Translate to Novel Mechanisms (and Targets) of Blood Pressure Regulation."

Department award winners included:

  • James Reinecke, Ph.D., Outstanding Achievement in Graduate Studies among Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Students.
  • Suprit Gupta, Outstanding Comprehensive Exam
  • Jahaun Azadmanesh, highest grade point average for a first-year student

Best oral presentation, post-doc:

  • Qiang Tong, M.D.

Best oral presentation, grad student:

  • Brandon Griess
  • Lisa Richter

Best Poster, Post-Doc:

  • Arpita Chatterjee, Ph.D.

Best Poster, grad student:

  • Saswati Karmakar
  • Andrew Trease

 

Resident Faculty Awards announced for pediatrics

Each month, the Pediatric Residency Program honors one academic faculty member and one community physician for their dedication to the residency program and for taking the additional time to teach residents. The May recipients were: Academic Faculty Award – Don Coulter, M.D.; associate professor, pediatrics hematology/oncology; Community Faculty Award – John Vann, M.D.

UNMC Alumni Association holds kickoff weekend tailgate event
The UNMC Alumni Association is holding a kickoff weekend tailgating event on Sept. 10 from 9-11 a.m., prior to the Wyoming-Nebraska football game, at the Apothecary Building, North Loft, 140 N. 8th St., Lincoln. A $19 fee provides a breakfast buffet and two free drink tickets. Tickets to the football game are not included. To register for the event, click here or call 402-559-1063.