Research News

UA College of Pharmacy Appoints Faculty with Expertise in Pharmacogenomics, Drug Discovery

Dr. Qin M. Chen, wife of University of Arizona cardiologist Dr. Joe Alpert, joins the college’s Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science as a professor of pharmacology and the Holsclaw endowed professor in pharmacogenomics. And Dr. Jutta Wanner joins its Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology as an associate professor and co-director for the Arizona Center for Drug Discovery...


Responsible Conduct of Research Workshop Schedule Announced for Fall 2019

The University of Arizona Office of Research, Discovery, and Innovation’s Fall 2019 schedule for Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) workshops runs from Aug. 22 to Dec. 4. These interactive, discussion-based sessions—designed for graduate and undergraduate students and postdoctoral researchers—are open to all members of campus. All workshops count towards fulfillment of RCR education requirements from the NSF and NIH. See topics here and enroll today…


Dr. Parthasarathy Podcast Touts CPAP Devices to Cut Readmissions for Heart Failure Patients

Pulmonary Chief Dr. Sairam Parthasarathy, contributed a podcast this summer for Consultant360.com’s CardiologyConsultant website on on how clinicians can reduce rehospitalization rates among patients suffering from heart failure and sleep disordered breathing via use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices. It ties into an NIH grant subcontract he and Cardiology Chief Dr. Nancy Sweitzer won from Ohio State University…


Many Heads Are Better Than One for UA BIO5 Institute’s ‘Wall of Fame’

A likeness for Dr. Monica Kraft, chair of the University of Arizona Department of Medicine, is among the latest researchers to be added to the UA BIO5 Institute “Wall of Fame.” It’s one of multiple updates BIO5 has planned for the wall this summer. Currently, 17 DOM faculty members are pictured from nine divisions or business units. See who they are and check back in August for who’s been added…


UA Center on Aging Paper Focuses on Health Information Disparities for Older Mexican-Americans

A new paper from the University of Arizona Center on Aging and Arizona Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program, published by the Journal of Transcultural Nursing, looks at disparities in information available to older Mexican-Americans and their family caregivers that may affect their health-care use and end-of-life decisions. Dr. Linda Phillips, the center’s senior director of research and education, is a co-author…


UA Cancer Center Research Specialist Named Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man of the Year

Forest Melton, a regulatory specialist with the Genitourinary (GU) Team and research member with the Therapeutic Development Program at the University of Arizona Cancer Center, won “Man of the Year” honors from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Arizona Chapter in June...


Skin Cancer, Chemoprevention Cover Story for UA Cancer Center Newsletter

Drs. James Sligh and Clara Curiel-Lewandrowksi, chief and vice chief of the University of Arizona Division of Dermatology and key members of the UA Skin Cancer Institute, made the cover of the latest edition of the Act Against Cancer newsletter from the UA Cancer Center, out in mid-May with the theme for this issue being chemoprevention. The article takes a hard look at skin cancer, sun safety and the research of Drs. Curiel and Sally Dickinson, an assistant professor of pharmacology. See all the articles here…


Two Awards Show UA Cardiologist Dr. Marvin Slepian to be ‘Man for All Seasons’

University of Arizona cardiologist, inventor and biomedical engineer Dr. Marvin Slepian has been rolling in kudos of late, with his most recent recognitions coming from the UA College of Engineering where he was named a da Vinci Fellow and his alma mater for his medical degree, the University of Cincinnati, which presented him May 20 with one of four Drake Medals…


GME Scholarly Day Showcases Research Prowess of South Campus Students, Residents, Fellows

Three South Campus internal medicine residents were among those recognized at the Jeanne Deinert GME Scholarly Day at Banner – University Medical Center South on May 14. Two were poster contest winners, Drs. Wina Yousman and Gianna O’Hara, and Dr. Sarah Tariq was chosen to be an oral presenter. Division of Infectious Diseases associate professor Dr. Lori Fantry also was a co-author on the winning Medical Student Poster on PrEP and needle exchange programs in HIV prevention. See all the winners and fellows, faculty who assisted them…


40th Heart Rhythm Scientific Sessions Recognize Contributions of Dr. Frank Marcus to Understanding ARVC/D

Dr. Frank Marcus, professor emeritus of medicine and a past chief in the Division of Cardiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, and a research scientist with the UA Sarver Heart Center, was honored as an invited speaker at the recent Heart Rhythm Society 2019 meeting in San Francisco. The society held a special session May 10 to recognize his research on right ventricular dysplasia, a rare type of cardiomyopathy that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest or heart failure…


UA Sleep Medicine Physician Wins $100K Award from AASM Foundation to Study Apnea and Heart Health

Congratulations to Dr. Salma Patel, an assistant professor and sleep medicine specialist in the University of Arizona Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, who is one of three winners of Career Development Awards from the AASM Foundation, an affiliate of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Her project will study the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and death, using EKG data in the Sleep Heart Health Study…


Tucson Campus Internal Medicine Residents Shine at Research AHD – Oral Vignettes Next

Congratulations to winners at the 2019 Research Academic Half Day poster contest for the UA Internal Medicine Residency Program at Tucson Campus: Drs. Phan Saligrama, Kevin Breen, Darien Reed, Nicole Smith and Hyun Soo “Kevin” Jang. They’ll offer oral vignettes on their projects at Medicine Grand Rounds, May 15, 12-1 p.m., Room 5403. Thanks to all who participated, including faculty: Drs. Khadijah Breathett, Elizabeth Connick, Lori Fantry, J.P. Ferreira, Steve Goldman, Julia Indik, James Knepler, Laura Meinke, Dalia Mikhael, Serena Scott, Amy Sussman and Jil Tardiff…


UA Researchers on Team Investigating Machine-Learning Methods to Reduce Opioid Overdoses

Researchers from the University of Arizona and others, including the College of Pharmacy’s Dr. Daniel Malone, and Dr. C. Kent Kwoh, chief of the Division of Rheumatology and director of the Arthritis Center, recently published a study in JAMA Network Open evaluating the use of machine-learning to predict opioid overdose risk…


Three DOM Faculty among 22 Locally Taking Part in Global ‘Women in Data Science’ Event

Kudos to the 22 female data scientists who spoke during the “Data Blitz” portion of the Women in Data Science regional conference hosted Friday, April 5, at the University of Arizona’s Environment and Natural Resources 2 (ENR2) Building. The Tucson conference was among more than 150 satellite events to the main conference at Stanford University held across the globe. DOM participants: Drs. Joanne Berghout, Francesca Vitali and Rebecca Vanderpool…


Eight DOM Faculty to Serve at College of Medicine Clinical Trials Workshop, April 13

A number of University of Arizona Department of Medicine faculty are lined up as presenters and panelists at a Clinical Trials Development Workshop, Saturday, April 13, sponsored by the UA College of Medicine – Tucson and supported by the Arizona Biomedical Research Commission: Drs. Hani Babiker, Julie Bauman, Khadijah Breathett, Pavani Chalasani, Kwan Lee, Jarrod Mosier, Sairam Parthasarathy and Rachna Shroff. See the program and register today as spots are limited to 60…


Dr. Louise Hecker Among Winners to be Recognized at 6th Annual I² Awards & Expo, April 1

Pulmonary disease research investigator Dr. Louise Hecker has been named an award winner in the 2019 I-Squared (I²) Awards & Expo on Monday, April 1, 4:30-7 p.m., at the University of Arizona Steve Eller Dance Theatre, 737 E. University Blvd. Come cheer her on as she accepts the honor and see what other innovations from the UA and UA Department of Medicine are showcased...


Dr. Christina Laukaitis Lauded at International Mendel Day in London for Support of Genetics

Geneticist and associate professor with the Division of Geriatrics, General Internal Medicine and Palliative Medicine, Dr. Christina Laukaitis was recognized with the Mendel Medal by the Mendelianum at the Moravian Museum of Brno, Czech Republic, for her “contribution to the propagation of Gregor Mendel’s scientific legacy.” The 19th century friar is considered the father of modern genetics. The March 8 presentation in London’s Royal Institution celebrated Mendel Day, Women’s Day and the 100th anniversary of the British Genetics Society…


‘Digging Up a Diagnosis’ May Get Easier with Valley Fever Article, Awareness Campaign

Valley fever affects people, pets and livestock in Arizona and beyond, notes Tucson Lifestyle in an article that serves as a primer on the difficult-to-diagnose respiratory disease caused by fungal spores found in the Southwest's arid soils. It underscores efforts by UA Valley Fever Center for Excellence researchers to train community physicians statewide on new clinical practice protocols. Dr. John Galgiani also offers an update on activities to develop a vaccine and other research, a briefing for NIH, CDC and Congressional leaders, and the latest numbers to track the disease…


UA/Banner Lung, Rheumatology Teams Honored with ‘Scleroderma Research and Treatment Center’ Status

UA physicians won another kudo for care they provide at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and South with the recent naming of hospital clinical and university research facilities as a “center of excellence” by the Scleroderma Foundation. This chronic connective tissue disease—an autoimmune rheumatic disorder that affects up to 300,000 people in the United States—results in hardening and tightening of skin and connective tissues. It also can affect body organs, including pulmonary fibrosis or scarring in the lungs…


Dr. Louise Hecker among 3 Research Panelists at Tech Launch Arizona ‘Eureka’ Luncheon

The University of Arizona Department of Medicine’s Louise Hecker, PhD, who investigates therapies to combat fibrotic diseases, will be among the panelists for a Tech Launch Arizona-hosted event, “Eureka! Recognizing when Research Gives Rise to Invention,” to be held March 7, noon-1 p.m., at the UA BIO5 Institute, Room 103. She’ll be joined by Drs. Roberta Diaz Brinton and Mohab Ibrahim. RSVP today!...


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