Faculty Mentors
| Name: Ahuja, Seema MD | Department: | Medicine |
| P: 567-4700 | F: 567-0712 | Email: ahuja@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: To explore the role of chemokines and chemokine receptors in inflammation, arthritis, atherosclerosis, diabetes and HIV pathogenesis |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Bai, Yidong | Department: | Cellular & Structural Biology |
| P: 567-0561 | F: 567-3803 | Email: baiy@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: The central theme in the laboratory is to investigate the regulatory mechanisms working in mitochondria and the role of mitochondria in regulating various cellular pathways. In particular, we are interested in pathogenic mtDNA mutations associated with human diseases including cancer and aging process. Different approaches are utilized in restoring the mitochondrial function in cells with mitochondrial deficiency. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Bao, Ande, PhD | Department: | Radiology/Otolaryngology |
| P: 567-5657 | F: 567-3617 | Email: bao@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Image-guided cancer interventional radionuclide therapy; Tumor radionuclide brachytherapy using unsealed sources; Radionuclide therapy dosimetry and treatment planning; Radiopharmaceutical sciences and targeted drug delivery; Tumor molecular imaging – chemistry and biology; Radiological imaging and imaging physics; Translational and clinical research |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Bishop, Alex | Department: | CSB |
| P: 562-9060 | F: 562-9014 | Email: Bishopa@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Use mouse models of the various human diseases involved in DNA damage recognition, response and repair (Ataxia telangiectasia, Ataxia telangiectasia like disease, Seckel syndrome, Li-Fraumeni, Blooms syndrome, Werner, breast/ovarian cancer (BRCA1 and BRCA2), and others) to determine damage response and control of the DNA repair pathway homologous recombination. For this we use in vivo mouse models, tissue culture and molecular biology. Use RNAi genomic screening to reveal the systems biology of damage response and control of homologous recombination using screening, bioinformatics and and molecular biology in cell lines and relating these findings to cancer cells and mouse models. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Brey, Robin MD | Department: | Neurology |
| P: 567-4621 | F: 567-1948 | Email: brey@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Neuroimmunology; Lupus; antiphospholipid antibodies; stroke |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Buffenstein, Rochelle | Department: | Physiology/Barshop |
| P: 562-5062 | F: 562-5028 | Email: buffenstein@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: My laboratory studies mechanisms of aging in non-traditional long-lived animals, most notably the naked mole-rat and bats. Long-lived species (like humans, mole-rats and bats) are defined as those that live at least twice as long as predicted on the basis of body size and we propose that these species may possess traits germane to abrogating aging and that these mechanisms may differ substantially from those of traditional short-lived model organisms. In particular, the longest lived rodent, the naked mole-rat lives 9 times longer than similar sized mice and shows remarkable resistance to spontaneous neoplasia and resilience to potentially cytotoxic stressors. Our lab currently is addressing potential mechanisms that may enable this somatic and genomic maintenance and are testing this in both in vivo and cell culture based studies. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Burge, Sandra, PhD | Department: | Family & Community Medicine |
| P: 358-3885 | F: 223-6940 | Email: burge@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: I work with a network of family medicine residency programs across Texas. Our 11 residency programs are located in 10 Texas cities; we have worked together since 1998. We have 125 family physician faculty and 325 family medicine residents who see more than 300,000 outpatient visits each year. We are interested in clinical questions related to providing care to primary care patients. Currently, we are focused on questions about patients with chronic pain. We observe that when a painful condition becomes chronic, patients seek help from many specialists, treatments, and sources. And when their efforts do not work, patients return to their primary care doctor for relief from the pain. Our question: how does one provide care for “incurable” problems like chronic pain? While our current focus is chronic pain, we have examined many primary care issues, including alternative medicine use, barriers to quality diabetes care, brief interventions for medication adherence, brief interventions for firearm safety, preventive care for adolescents, and others. Each year, we examine different questions, and we enthusiastically welcome students to join our network! |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Cavazos, José E., M.D., Ph.D. | Department: | Neurology, Pharmacology and Physiology |
| P: 617-5161 | F: 567-4659 | Email: cavazosj@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: My laboratory studies activity-dependent plasticity in the hippocampal formation in the developing, adult, and aged brain using a variety of experimental models of epilepsy, seizures, and epileptogenesis. Previous studies from my laboratory have shown that repeated seizures induce progressive neuronal death and axon sprouting that permanently alter the hippocampal circuitry lending it more susceptible to additional seizures and memory dysfunction. We currently are investigating the molecular mechanisms that link the synchronous neuronal hyperexcitability with these morphological events including the role of caspases using in-vivo models and in-vitro organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. We investigate the features of seizure-induced axon sprouting in other limbic circuitries using anatomical tracing techniques, and their electrophysiological consequences in the neuronal excitability of the abnormally connected circuitry using brain slices. Lastly, we are evaluating several antagonists at the various steps in this cascade that leads to circuit plasticity with the aim of identifying the crucial steps in the epileptogenic process amenable to novel pharmacological targets for a better treatment of seizures and epilepsy. My clinical research has focused upon epileptogenesis issues in the post-stroke and post-traumatic epilepsies. In addition, we have examined the clinical effect of drug interactions of antiepileptic drugs. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Chatterjee, Bandana, Ph.D., Professor | Department: | Molecular Medicine |
| P: 567-7218 | F: 567-7324 | Email: Chatterjee@uthscsa |
| Research Area: Aging and Androgen Receptor ExpressionNIH funded project; Androgen Receptor in Prostate Cancer ---Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA) funded |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Coop, Allan | Department: | DEB |
| P: 917-498-3196 | F: 567-0921 | Email: coop@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Olfactory system focusing on piriform cortex; Cerebellar cortex local cirucits; enteric nervous ssystem, particularly the peristaltic reflex |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Copeland, Laurel A PhD | Department: | Psychiatry |
| P: 210-617-5300 x17232 | F: 210-567-4423 | Email: copelandl@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: The substantive focus of my research is serious mental illness, primarily schizophrenia & bipolar disorder, in Veterans Health Administration (VA) patients. I study patients' health services use, medical-psychiatric comorbidity, medication adherence, treatment options, differential diagnosis and disparities. Methods typically involve secondary data analysis of multiple extracts from large administrative databases derived from electronic medical records. I am studying patterns of late-life healthcare use by veterans with schizophrenia, diabetes, or both conditions. Another interest is military medicine: I am examining transition of care by OEF/OIF veterans from the Department of Defense health care system to the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system. Funded projects have a broad range of topics (serious mental illness, surgery, obesity, community-acquired pneumonia, pharmacoepidemiology, post-traumatic stress disorder) because of my expertise with VA‘s extensive electronic medical records data extracts. I also teach the sessions on secondary data analysis in the Health Science Center‘s Master's of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) program, serve on the IRB and some workgroups in the VA, and keep active in the Women‘s Faculty Association. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Digicaylioglu, Murat H | Department: | Neurosurgery |
| P: 567-1662 | F: 567-6066 | Email: muratd@mindspring.com |
| Research Area: Currently, we are focusing on acute and chronic neuroprotective treatments after ischemic stroke. We are also interested in treatment possibilities for traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage and Friedreich’s Ataxia and are investigating the use of hypothermia as a therapy for traumatic brain injury. http://neurosurgery.uthscsa.edu/research/about.asp |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Fields, Gregory | Department: | Biochemistry |
| P: 567-1312 | F: 567-6595 | Email: fieldsg@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Research in the Fields' laboratory utilizes chemical and molecular biological approaches to better understand how protein three-dimensional structures influence cellular and enzymatic behaviors. “Mini-protein” models (a.k.a. synthetic biologicals) have been developed for the study of cellular recognition processes, which in turn have allowed for the mapping of protein domains involved in tumor cell binding and signal transduction. These domains have been utilized for selective targeting of nano-drug delivery systems to tumor cells. Mini-protein models have been developed to dissect the mechanisms of collagen catabolism, and in the process have provided new avenues for the design of inhibitors of proteases implicated in the metastatic process. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Folli, Franco Battista Ennio | Department: | Medicine/Diabetes |
| P: 567-4826 | F: 567-6554 | Email: folli@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: My group is investigating the role of islets’ of Langerhans amyloidosis in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus in non-human primates (baboons) and humans. We have established that the baboon is an optimal animal model of non-human primate model of obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We are currently identifying protein interactors of IAPP and pathways of alfa-cell (glucagon producing cells) replication in type 2 diabetic baboon and human pancreas. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Gao, Shou-Jiang (SJ), Ph.D | Department: | GCCRI |
| P: 562-9030 | F: 562-9014 | Email: gaos@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Mind Science Foundation, Gauging Medical Student Empathy (2009). Most bioethics and social science research does not require lab space or equipment. Students would have to have his/her own computer. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Ghosh, Rita, Ph.D. | Department: | Urology |
| P: 567-5664 | F: 567-6868 | Email: ghoshr@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: We study deregulation of DNA damage signaling and cell cycle in cancer. In normal cells checkpoint controls ensure that genomic integrity is maintained. In cancer cells these controls are lost and our overall goal is to exploit these molecular targets to develop strategies for cancer prevention. A variety of cell culture and preclinical animal models are used in our research. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Ghosh-Choudhury, Nandini | Department: | Pathology |
| P: 567-3108 | F: 567-2303 | Email: choudhury@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: My lab is interested in molecular mechanisms of bone remodeling with major emphasis in osteoporosis. Other ongoing projects include signal transduction in controlling breast cancer bone metastasis and molecular mechanism of apoptosis. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Gorin, Yves PhD | Department: | Medicine |
| P: 567-4714 | F: 567-4712 | Email: gorin@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: During my Ph.D. at the University of Paris XI in France, I had an extensive training in the field of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) biochemistry, particularly the generation of oxidants by the NAD(P)H oxidases of the Nox family. I was actively involved in the identification of the thyroid NADPH oxidase, a member of the Nox family called Duox, which provides the hydrogen peroxide required for the thyroid hormone synthesis. As a faculty in the Department of Medicine/Division of Nephrology at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, my work focused on the role of ROS in kidney diseases with emphasis on the redox mechanisms involved in the hypertrophic and fibrotic responses of glomerular mesangial cells to angiotensin II and high glucose. Our laboratory have demonstrated that ROS generated by a member of the Nox family, Nox4, play a key role in the effects of angiotensin II or high glucose on mesangial cell hypertrophy and extracellular matrix expansion. Using animal models of diabetes, we identified Nox4 as mediator of oxidative stress, renal hypertrophy and extracellular matrix accumulation in early diabetic nephropathy. We are also aiming to examine the involvement of Nox4-based mesangial oxidase in the manifestations of advanced diabetic nephropathy such as proteinuria and sclerosis by performing long-term studies and show that inhibiting Nox4 not only block the early manifestations but also reverse the advanced lesions constituting the diabetic nephropathy. This approach is highly relevant for diabetic patients in whom prevention of end organ damage is initiated sometime after the onset of diabetes. We are also further exploring the biological function of Nox4 and reported its localization to mitochondria. Recently, our research group made the observation that, in addition to Nox oxidases, dysfunctional endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is also a source of ROS in the diabetic kidney. We are exploring the hypothesis that ROS generated by Nox oxidases and specifically Nox4 play a pivotal role in eNOS dysfunction in the glomerular endothelium and mesangium, thereby resulting not only in the elimination of the protective effect of eNOS, but also converting the enzyme to a phlogistic mediator that further enhances ROS generation. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Hatch, John P. PhD | Department: | Psychiatry/Orthodontics |
| P: 567-0394 | F: 567-3513 | Email: hatch@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Statistical analysis of data. Any research area welcome. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Hornsby, Peter | Department: | Physiology |
| P: 562-5080 | F: | Email: hornsby@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: The topic of our research is regenerative medicine and stem cells. We are investigating various applications of stem cells in wound healing and tissue regeneration in mouse models. Specifically we are interested in the role of human adipose stem cells in muscle and bone formation when implanted in immunodeficient mice. We use bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging as part of our methodology. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Jagirdar, Jaishree, MD | Department: | Pathology |
| P: 567-4034 | F: | Email: jagirdar@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Pulmonary Pathology; lung cancer; tuberculosis; immunohistochemistry |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Jain, Shailesh MD, MPH | Department: | Psychiatry |
| P: 567-5280 | F: 562-5403 | Email: jains@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Mood and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Jiang, Jean X. PhD | Department: | Biochemistry |
| P: 567-3796 | F: 567-6595 | Email: jiangj@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Cells connect and communicate via an information superhighway named gap junctions. Gap junction channels permit small metabolites, ions, and second messengers to pass from cell to cell. Cells like lens fibers within the interior of the vertebrate eye lens have neither a blood supply nor organelles. Thus, lens survival and homeostasis are uniquely dependent upon intercellular communication via gap junctions with the cells localized at the lens surface. For cells like bone osteocytes, signals generated by mechanical loading can be transmitted extensively at high speed through these channels. Therefore, gap junctions provide the critical means for cell survival and for regulation of physiological functions. Gene mutations of gap junction-forming proteins, connexins lead to human diseases, such as lens cataracts, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, oculodentodigital dysplasia, severe sensorineural hearing loss, etc. Our current research interests are: 1). To determine the gap junction-dependent and independent roles of connexins in lens growth and cataractogenesis. 2). To explore the functional importance of these channels in transmitting the signals generated by mechanical stress for mineralized tissue in mediating bone formation and remodeling. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Kadosh, David | Department: | Microbiology & Immunology |
| P: 567-3976 | F: 567-6612 | Email: kadosh@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Candida albicans is the major human fungal pathogen responsible for a wide variety of mucosal and systemic infections. Immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS patients, cancer patients on chemotherapy and organ transplant recipients on immunosuppressive therapies are at high risk for acquiring C. albicans infections. This pathogen undergoes a morphological transition from single oval budding yeast cells to pseudohyphal and hyphal filaments which is required for virulence. Our laboratory is primarily interested in the transcriptional mechanisms that control this transition and determine C. albicans morphology and virulence in response to a wide variety of host environmental cues. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Kasinath, Balakuntalam S, MD | Department: | Medicine/ Nephrology |
| P: 567-4707 | F: 567-4712 | Email: kasinath@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: We investigate molecular mechanisms underlying kidney injury in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. We employ both kidney cells in culture and animal models. We are initiating human studies as well. We are particularly interested in mechanisms underlying increase in general and specific protein synthesis in the kidney in diabetes and study transcription, mRNA translation, and signaling pathways that regulate these processes. We have identified a few novel sites for intervention to ameliorate kidney injury in diabetes based on our studies. We are interested in encouraging physicians to pursue a career in scientific research while continuing to practice medicine. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Keller, Charles MD | Department: | Cellular & Structural Biology; GCCRI |
| P: 562-9062 | F: 562-9014 | Email: kellerc2@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: We use conditional mouse genetics to engineer physiologically-accurate mouse models of the childhood muscle cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, and brain tumor, medulloblastoma. Specific lines of research include defining cell of origin, tumor stem cell, and therapeutic targets in these diseases. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Kim, Chongwoo A | Department: | Biochemistry |
| P: 567-8779 | F: 567-8778 | Email: chong@biochem.uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Our research focuses on chromatin associated proteins. Currently, we are studying a group of gene silencing proteins called the Polycomb Group (PcG). While the PcG has long been known to play an important role in development, they also play a vital role in stem cell regulation, including those of cancer stem cells. Our goal is to understand how they regulate gene expression using a variety of approaches with a focus on their structure/function relationship |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Kirma, Nameer, Ph.D. | Department: | OB/GYN |
| P: 567-4968 | F: 567-4958 | Email: kirma@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Our research program focuses on hormonal and growth factor regulation of breast cancer and gynecological diseases including cervical carcinogenesis and endometriosis. We use transgenic animals as well as in vitro cell line models to dissect biochemical pathways under the regulation of estrogen and growth factors/cytokines such as transforming growth factor-beta and macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Another aspect of our work is the use of bioactive food components, like fatty acids and red wine phenolics, in breast cancer prevention |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Klugman, Craig M | Department: | Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics |
| P: 567-1365 | F: 567-0805 | Email: klugman@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: My work is in the area of bioethics. The research I do is social science and humanities based using qualitative surveying, quantitative interviews, or philosophically based arguments. The main projects which are currently on-going involve looking at electronic advance directives, building empathy in medical students, and looking at art as a way to build observational skills in medical students. In addition, I am completing manuscripts on moral conscience clauses in pharmacists and methods for teaching ethics. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Kumar, Addanki Pratap, PhD | Department: | Urology |
| P: 567-5647 | F: 567-6868 | Email: kumara3@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: The long-term objective of the research program in my laboratory is aimed at understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in development, progression and dissemination of prostate cancer using in vitro and in vivo pre-clinical animal models with the idea of translating these observations to the bed side. Epidemiological studies implicate an inverse relationship between prostate cancer incidence and consumption of fruits and vegetables. Recent studies also suggest a tremendous potential for developing natural products for cancer management. However, the safety or efficacy of a great number of these agents has not been scientifically validated. Studies conducted in our laboratory through NIH, DOD and ACS funded research identified transcriptional activation of genes associated proliferation (Cyclin D1), inflammation (Cox-2) and apoptosis (FLIP) drives prostate cancer development and progression. In addition these molecules also contribute to the development of resistance to apoptotic inducing agents leading to development of hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPCA). Therefore understanding the (i) signal transduction pathways involved in the transcriptional activation of Cyclin D1, Cox-2 or FLIP and associated downstream cellular processes and (ii) mechanisms through which FLIP or Cox2-mediated resistance to apoptosis contributes to the development of HRPCA will have tremendous use in prostate cancer prevention efforts. Our laboratory is involved in the identification and development of novel agents from natural products including curcumin, eugenol and resveratrol either alone or in combination targeting such deregulated signaling pathways. To understand the mechanisms that control transcriptional regulation during prostate tumorigenesis, our laboratory uses integrated approaches comprising of in vitro cell culture models and in vivo preclinical animal models. In addition we use numerous cutting edge technologies including magnetic resonance imaging (to monitor in vivo tumor development), chromatin immunoprecipitations, gene and proteomic array along with functional assays. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Leykum, Luci | Department: | Medicine |
| P: 567-4815 | F: 567-4423 | Email: Leykum@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: I am interesting in using a complex systems perspective to understand clinical systems. Our current research programs use a complexity perspective to observe characteristics of health care settings that we believe are important based on this framework, and to relate these characteristics to patient outcomes. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Li, Senlin | Department: | Medicine |
| P: 567-1905 | F: 567-4654 | Email: lis1@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: My primary research interest is to develop autologous hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy, particularly HSC-derived macrophage gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases, atherosclerosis and other inherited blood/immune disorders. The recently-developed iPS (induced pluripotent stem) cells are amenable to genetic modification and can be cultured indefinitely, therefore providing unlimited supplies. IPS cells have been differentiated in vitro into HSCs capable of rescuing leathally-irradiated syngeneic recipients. HSCs so created may offer potential rejuvenation of the blood cells of older individuals. This type of HSC will likely be the best carrier for the mentioned gene therapy. See weblink: http://pharmacology.uthscsa.edu/faculty/LiSenlin.asp |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Lindsey, Merry L., Ph.D. | Department: | Medicine/ Cardiology |
| P: 567-0611 | F: 567-6905 | Email: lindseym@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: My laboratory is focused on studies relating to cardiac extracellular matrix biology, specializing in changes to the matrix that are the cause or effect of pathophysiological processes. These changes include cell-matrix interactions, which both affect and react to processes involved in tissue repair. My laboratory primarily uses the murine model of myocardial infarction (MI). In addition to physiological parameters, we also measure biochemical, cell biological, and proteomic outputs. The main research topics of my laboratory are: 1) the role of macrophage-derived matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in left ventricular (LV) remodeling post-MI; 2) the role of the cardiac fibroblast in the remodeling process; and 3) the influence of aging on LV remodeling. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Mortensen, Eric, MD, MSc, FACP | Department: | Medicine |
| P: 602-7316 | F: 567-4423 | Email: mortensene@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Epidemiology of community–acquired pneumonia and other respiratory infections. Evaluating and improving the quality of inpatient medical care. Evaluating the effects of health care structure and organizational culture on quality of care. Examining the effect of non-antimicrobial medications on outcomes for patients with infectious diseases. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Musi, Nicolas MD | Department: | Medicine |
| P: 358-7350 | F: 358-7235 | Email: musi@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Molecular biology of insulin action and insulin resistance in diabetes and aging; Molecular effects of exercise; Mechanism of action of antidiabetic drugs |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Nair, Hareesh Babu Bhaskaran, Ph.D | Department: | Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Research |
| P: 567-4944 | F: 567-4958 | Email: nairh@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Cancer chemoprevention; molecular, epigenetic prognostic markers and modulation of targeted-drug activity in gynecological malignancies. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Padalecki, Susan PhD | Department: | Urology |
| P: 567-1469 | F: 567-6868 | Email: southwell@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Two of the major projects currently underway in the lab are an investigation of the role of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the progression of prostate cancer and the study of the relationship between diabetes, obesity and prostate cancer. Using our animal models of prostate cancer, we are testing a naturally-occurring compound for the ability to inhibit the growth and metastasis of prostate cancer through inhibition of hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS). In addition, in collaboration with other labs at the health science center, we are also studying the relationship between diabetes, obesity and prostate cancer. We are using both in vitro and in vivo techniques to study the interaction between these three disease states. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Patterson, Jan E. , MD | Department: | Medicine/Infectious Diseases Center for Patient Safety and Health Policy |
| P: 617-5120 | F: 949-3292 | Email: pattersonj@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Antimicrobial resistance; molecular typing of hospital pathogens; prevention of healthcare-associated infections; patient safety; healthcare quality and process improvement |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Penalva, Luiz O. | Department: | Cellular and Structural Biology |
| P: 562 9049 | F: 562 9014 | Email: penalva@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: My laboratory investigates different aspects of post-transcriptional regulation in the context of cancer, with a special focus on RNA binding proteins. We used a variety of approaches that include bioinformatics, genomics and molecular biology to characterize the regulatory networks formed by RNA binding proteins and their target RNAs and to understand their direct role in tumor formation. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Peters, Jay MD | Department: | Medicine |
| P: 617-5256 | F: 949-3006 | Email: peters@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Office Spirometry in Pediatric and Adult Asthmatic Patients. Student would have to do independent literature search on the topic and then work with mentor and statistician from our DM database (Approx 500 children/500 adults followed for 12-18 months in a DM program). The goal would be to evaluate the frequency of various spirometric patterns in a general population of asthmatic patients and the relevance of following national guidelines to obtain spriometry every 1-2 years.Funds for statistical analysis would have to come from Divisional funds since this database is no longer funded. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Ramirez, Amelie G | Department: | Medicine-Institute for Health Promotion Research |
| P: 562-6500 | F: 348-5454 | Email: ramerizag@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: The IHPR researches the causes and solutions to the unequal impact of cancer and chronic disease affecting residents in San Antonio, South Texas, and the nation to improve overall health, especially that of people at a disadvantage due to race/ethnicity, education, income or access to care. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Rosenberg, Ethan, MD | Department: | Anesthesiology |
| P: (pager) 220-0086 | F: 358-4742 | Email: rosenberge@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Currently active basic science/laboratory investigation of mechanisms of pain. Work includes animal surgery, animal testing, and molecular biology techniques. Possibility of clinical studies pending IRB approval. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Singh, Vivek, MD | Department: | Psychiatry |
| P: 567-5479 | F: 567-3759 | Email: singhv@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Bipolar disorder- phenomenology, pharmacological treatments, intervention research |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Strong, Randy | Department: | Pharmacology/Barshop |
| P: 562-6126 | F: 562-6130 | Email: strong@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Our main research theme is the study of catecholamine synthesis and metabolism in aging and disease. The diseases include PTSD, hypertension, and Parkinson’s disease. We are also researching pharmacological intervention in aging and diseases of aging. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Sun, LuZhe, Ph.D. | Department: | Cellular & Structural Biology |
| P: 567-5746 | F: 567-3803 | Email: SUNL@UTHSCSA.EDU |
| Research Area: The primary research focus in my laboratory is on the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis and tumor progression of breast and prostate cancer, which are the most prevalent neoplasm in the US women and men respectively. We are particularly interested in how signaling pathways of growth factors and steroid hormones regulate cancer cell growth, invasion, and metastasis using molecular and cellular biology techniques and animal model systems. One of the molecules we are currently studying is called transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). This growth factor has been shown to promote cancer cell survival, invasion and metastasis in late-stage carcinoma cells. We are developing novel TGF-beta inhibitors that may have potential to be developed as novel drugs for cancer therapy. We are also investigating the molecular mechanisms that mediate the metastasis-promoting activity of TGF-beta, particularly the role of TGF-beta signaling in cancer-initiating cells and tumor stromal cells in the formation of a reactive tumor microenvironment during invasion and metastasis. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Tardif, Suzette | Department: | Cellular & Structural Biology |
| P: 210-562-5033 | F: 210-562-5028 | Email: tardif@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Reproduction and energetics, asking how do these small primates make both behavioral and physiological "decisions" regarding how much energy to invest in reproduction? We have developed both undernutrition and overnutrition models and are presently focused on overnutrition models. We are funded through the NIDDK/NIH to develop the marmoset as a model of maternal obesity. This study is examining the metabolic consequences of pregnancy in both spontaneously obese and diet-induced obese marmoset mothers, on both the mothers and their offspring. Development of marmosets as a premiere primate model of aging. Because of their small size and associated shorter life span, marmosets have great potential as a species in which to better understand primate aging in a controlled environment. In collaboration with Drs. Austad and Richardson, I am working to develop a barrier-maintained marmoset breeding colony that will be available for aging research. While this colony is being developed, we are working through the marmoset resources that I developed while at the Southwest National Primate Research Center - conducting pilot studies to characterize possible frailty phenotypes (in conjunction with Drs. Espinoza and VanRemmen) |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Tekmal, Rajeshwar Rao, PhD | Department: | Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| P: 567-4930 | F: 567-4958 | Email: tekmal@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Major research focus is on gynecological malignancies (breast, cervical and ovarian cancers) and endometriosis. At molecular level the focus is on local estrogen and hormone-mediated actions and hormone receptor regulation as well as interaction of growth factors and hormone receptors. Clinical translational focus is to test the efficacy of novel therapeutic agents and novel nanoparticle based formulations involving endocrine therapies for breast, cervical and ovarian cancers as well as for endometriosis. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Thompson, Peter M. , M.D., M.S. | Department: | Psychiatry |
| P: 567-5413 | F: 567-6941 | Email: thompsonp@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Our research interests include studying how mental disorders contribute to anatomical and biochemical changes in the postmortem brain. Current research projects include investigating how serotonin neurotransmission is altered in specific brain regions of subjects who committed suicide and how alcoholism contributes to these alterations. In addition, we are investigating changes in markers of synaptic connectivity in the postmortem brains of subjects with bipolar disorder. Techniques utilized in the lab include quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting to investigate changes in levels of mRNA and proteins of interest. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Vadlamudi, Ratna K | Department: | Obstetrics & Gynecology |
| P: 567-4930 | F: 567-4958 | Email: vadlamudi@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: The focus of the Vadlamudi laboratory is to study the molecular mechanisms of signal transduction by steroid hormone estrogen. The biological functions of estrogen are mediated by estrogen receptor (ER), a member of super family of ligand-regulated transcription factors that modulate a wide range of biological processes. ERs are implicated in the progression of cancers such as breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers and in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders including stroke. Vadlamudi lab current research interests include: (1) characterizing the function of ER-coregulators in hormonal mediated signaling (2) developing transgenic and knock-out mouse models for ER coregulators, (3) characterizing the role of ER-coregulators in cancer progression; (4) identifying novel molecular targets for therapeutic intervention and for early detection of cancer, and (5) to study the mechanisms underlying E2 neuroprotection in the brain |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Velez, Luis F. , MD, PhD, MPH | Department: | Epidemiology and Biostatistics |
| P: 562-6506 | F: 348-0554 | Email: Velezl2@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Cancer prevention and control; Tobacco use prevention and control; Health disparities; Latino health |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Walter, Christi A., PhD | Department: | Cellular & Structural Biology |
| P: 567-3800 | F: 567-0073 | Email: walter@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: DNA damage and mutations can have profound effects on reproduction, disease and aging. Our laboratory utilizes transgenic and knockout mouse models to identify and characterize mechanisms that function to preserve genetic integrity and thereby counteract the potentially detrimental consequences of DNA damage and mutations. We are currently extending our studies from differentiated cells and tissues to developing methods to assess genetic integrity mechanisms in stem cells. Because stem cells are the source of all daughter cells, the ability to preserve genetic integrity in these cells is likely to have a major impact on genetic integrity in daughter cells. Thus, genetic disease caused by de novo mutations in germ cells, cancer caused by mutations in somatic cells and perhaps aging are strongly influenced by genetic integrity. These are the primary areas of research endeavors in my laboratory. |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Wood, Pamela, MD | Department: | Pediatrics |
| P: 562-5344 | F: 562-5319 | Email: woodp@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: Asthma morbidity; asthma interventions Completed studies include: Randomized, controlled trial of disease management intervention for children and adults; Quantifying asthma symptoms in adults: the Lara Asthma Symptom Scale; Evaluation of community-based implementation of the inner city asthma intervention at 22 sites (CDC-funded); Descriptive study: asthma risk factors of inner city children (data from 9 sites across the country); Relationships between welfare status, health insurance status, and health and medical care among children with asthma (large, community-based survey study); Randomized, controlled trial of educational intervention for children with asthma and their families; Evaluation of multi-faceted physician intervention to improve asthma management. Health literacy; physician-patient communication: Completed studies include: Evaluation of the Ask-me-3 intervention to improve physician-patient communication; Descriptive study: health literacy in the pediatric emergency department; Descriptive study: physician-parent communication in the pediatric continuity clinic |
||
Grant Support: |
||
| Name: Zeber, John E., PhD | Department: | Psychiatry |
| P: 617-5300, ext. 16666 | F: 567-4424 | Email: zeber@uthscsa.edu |
| Research Area: serious mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, substance abuse), medical sociology and health beliefs, medication and treatment adherence, ethnicity and health disparities, health policy evaluation, cost-effectiveness and decision analysis, veterans |
||
Grant Support: |
||