Research News

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!...


Research Day 2019 Crowns DOM Asthma Investigators with Shark Tank Prize

The competition was fierce. The pitches of the six research teams hoping to curry favor with the judges were polished. But, in the end, it was the DOM’s Drs. Monica Kraft and Julie Ledford who came out on top in the Shark Day competition that served as the grand finale to Research Day 2019 at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. See the photos and the video here…


Four DOM Faculty Among Six Teams Competing in Shark Tank Talks for Research Day 2019

Tomorrow, Feb. 13, is the big day for the Shark Tank at Research Day 2019 at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. The list of presenters has been set. Work has been completed to make sure that everyone’s presentation is functional. Presenters include Drs. Eugene Chang, Nathanial Hart, Louise Hecker, Julie Ledford, Monica Kraft, Michael Kuhns and Marvin Slepian. Drs. Robert Robbins and Michael Dake are on the seven-judge panel to determine who wins the $10,000 prize...


Dr. Rachna Shroff among Presenters in Spring 2019 CBIO Seminar Series

Dr. Rachna ShroffUniversity of Arizona GI Medical Oncology Chief Dr. Rachna Shroff is among faculty presenting at the Spring Series of the Cancer Biology (CBIO) Seminars, which features just over a dozen speakers in talks that began Jan. 14 and finish April 29. Her topic (March 11, 9-10 a.m., Kiewit) is “Cholangiocarcinoma: Does One Size Fit All?” See the full lineup…


Dr. Esther Sternberg to Deliver One of Three Keynotes at COM-T Research Day 2019

Esther Sternberg, MDRenowned professor in the UA Division of Integrative Medicine, Dr. Esther Sternberg joins famed Alzheimer’s researcher Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton and national big data guru Dr. Nirav Merchant as keynote speakers for the UA College of Medicine – Tucson’s Research Day 2019 on Feb. 13.


Dr. Jil Tardiff to Give Keynote at ‘BIO5 Inspiring Women in STEM’ Event, Feb. 9

Jil Tardiff, MD, PhDUniversity of Arizona Department of Medicine associate chair for research, Dr. Jil Tardiff will offer the keynote address at “BIO5 Inspiring Women in STEM,” Sat., Feb. 9, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. This event includes an interactive panel of women from the UA Health Sciences Tucson campus from cross-disciplinary fields and stages in their careers.


UA’s GI Medical Oncology Team Grabs a Glimmer of Spotlight at GI 2019 in San Francisco

Physicians with the Gastrointenstinal (GI) Medical Oncology section at the University of Arizona Cancer Center made a splash at the Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, also known as GI 2019, in San Francisco, Jan. 17-19, 2019. Among attendees were Drs. Rachna Shroff, Emad Elquza, Hani Babiker and Aaron Scott. Activities included general session presenter, panel moderator, chairing networking events and a poster presentation…


UA Environmental Health Pilot Project Funding Available for Up to $40,000

Ever considered research in environmental health sciences? The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, an NIH unit, seeks to discover how the environment affects people in order to promote healthier lives. Thus, the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center (SWEHSC), part of the Center for Toxicology at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, is on the hunt for pilot project applicants to fund. Deadline: 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 18. Learn more…


RFA Deadline for 10 AzAHEC Grants Up to $5,000 Each Moved to Jan. 30

The Arizona Area Health Education Center at the University of Arizona has extended the deadline for funding for up to 10 projects in amounts up to $5,000. Submissions were initially due Jan. 15. That deadline was moved to Jan. 30. The funding period is for up to one year starting March 1, 2019. Apply now!…


UA Functional Genomics Core Integrates with Arizona Center for Drug Discovery

The University of Arizona Functional Genomics Core (FGC) now is integrated with the Arizona Center for Drug Discovery, providing resources for investigators conducting research in molecular biology to run live cell, biochemical and other assays. The FGC is housed at the UA BIO5 Institute while the center is at the UA College of Pharmacy, with new $26-million digs under construction now adjacent to the UA College of Medicine – Tucson…


Spring Colloquium on Complex Diseases Speaker Lineup for 2019 Announced

The lineup is set for the Weekly Colloquium on Problems in the Biology of Complex Diseases, running Jan. 11-April 26 and again featuring several speakers/topics of interest to University of Arizona Department of Medicine physicians and investigators. These include asthma, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, and neuro-degenerative/developmental diseases. Outside speakers come from the University of Chicago, UCLA, UCSF and NAU. DOM faculty, Drs. Xingnan Li, Deb Meyers, and Gene Bleecker, will talk on genetics, genomics and precision medicine…


‘More to the Snore’ — Tucson Lifestyle’s Interview with Dr. Sai Parthasarathy (and Other DOM News Coverage)

An “In Health” article in the magazine’s January 2019 issue focuses on sleep apnea, assessing local physicians’ perspectives on treatment options—including the UA interim pulmonary chief and sleep medicine expert. Also see how other recent magazine articles have featured UA Department of Medicine faculty physicians, including Drs. Peter Ott, Vivian Shi and Esther Sternberg…


AzAHEC Seeks Applicants for 2019 Research and Project Small Grant Program by Jan. 15

Applications are being sought by the Arizona Area Health Education Center at the University of Arizona for up to 10 projects for funding in amounts up to $5,000. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 15. The funding period is for up to one year starting March 1, 2019…


Summer Research Program for Cancer Prevention and Control Accepting Applications until Feb. 1

The University of Arizona STEP-UP Summer Research Program is looking for outstanding upperclass undergraduate and masters’ degree level students from diverse backgrounds to participate in a paid, 12-week transformative research experience in cancer prevention and control science. Applications are open now. Deadline: Feb. 1…


Bressler-Alpert Society Travel Award Allows Fellow to Present on Kissing Bugs, Chagas Disease

Dr. Norm Beatty, University of Arizona infectious diseases fellow and the most recent recipient of a Bressler-Alpert Society Travel Award, gave two presentations at IDSA and ASTMH conferences this fall in coordination with his research mentor from the Division of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Steve Klotz, that focus on kissing bugs and Chagas disease. Donate to the society before the end of the year to support DOM fellow and resident trainee conference attendance and get a tax break, too…


Register Now for UA College of Medicine – Tucson Research Retreat, Feb. 13

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson will host a day-long event in the new Health Sciences Innovation Building (HSIB) for basic scientists and clinicians. The intent of the event is to spur interdisciplinary collaboration between departments, divisions, centers and institutes. Register now to attend and participate in data blitzes, a shark tank-style competition and more…


Fourth UA Cardiology Research Fair Offers a Dating Perspective for Investigators, Mentors, Trainees

The UA BIO5 Institute’s Room 103, in the Thomas W. Keating Building, plays host to the next Cardiology Research Fair on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 4-5:30 p.m. Come learn about the innovative, cutting-edge investigations occurring at the University of Arizona to combat cardiovascular disease. Get a chance to talk one-on-one with the researchers and prospective mentors/mentees via a speed-dating format…


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