|
Partner Network:
While we invite you to take part in all of our programs, items featuring this icon may be of particular interest. Look for the symbol throughout the Digest. Have news you'd like to share? Send it to:
ccts@uab.edu
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight on: CCTS KL2 Awardee
Dr. Surya Bhatt
|
Surya Bhatt, MD
Assistant Professor, UAB
Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine
Medical Director, Pulmonary Function and Exercise Physiology Lab
|
Dr. Surya Bhatt is one of four recent CCTS KL2 awardees, who says he heard about the research opportunity through the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine where he works. "Three different people sent me an email about it in one day, because they thought I'd be a good candidate," he recalls.
"I wasn't getting the full time I needed to do research, and this was a timely opportunity to have my time fully protected."
The title of his research project is, "Diastolic Dysfunction and Pauci-inflammatory Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease." His goal is to try and phenotype acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. While the majority of exacerbations are thought to be caused by viral or bacterial infections, up to one-third are from an unknown cause.
"All are treated with steroids or antibiotics, which is often not very successful," Bhatt says. Bhatt says some of the exacerbations may be related to cardiac issues, as approximately 40 percent of stable COPD patients have impaired relaxation of the heart. "We have shown previously that if you have an irregular heartbeat, you're more likely to have an exacerbation of COPD," he says. "We put these things together and said, maybe the exacerbations are due to cardiac dysfunction."
As possible evidence of this, Bhatt says, if COPD exacerbations arise only from the lung, there should be inflammation in the lungs and blood; however it has been shown that there is no lung inflammation in about 20 percent of these patients.
Bhatt and his research team are recruiting patients during acute exacerbations to look for systemic and pulmonary inflammation via blood draw and exhaled breath condensate analyses. In addition they conduct echocardiography to assess diastolic dysfunction of the heart and lung ultrasound to look for fluid in the lungs. Ideally, they would study patients both in the stable phase and during a subsequent exacerbation, but because that is not feasible, they are repeating the studies 35 days post-exacerbation to compare with findings during acute exacerbations.
"We've found so far that patients who have low inflammatory status during exacerbation have a considerably higher rate of cardiac dysfunction," Bhatt says. "This has two potential implications: We could try and modulate these patients' diastolic dysfunction; or we could treat them differently from the usual prednisone and antibiotic therapy, such by using beta blockers or diuretics, for example."
Bhatt suggests that alternative treatments to antibiotics and steroids might avoid the side effects those drugs can cause, including muscle weakness, high glucose levels, and reduced immunity causing susceptibility to infections. "While considerable efforts have been made toward phenotyping stable COPD, this is one of the first studies attempting to phenotype acute exacerbations".
He will use a portion of the time dedicated to this research to learn about cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with Dr. Thomas Denney at Auburn University, part of the CCTS Partner Network. Bhatt says he also hopes to complete a Master of Science in Public Health degree in Clinical and Translational Science. He is mentored by Dr. Edwin Blalock and Dr. Mark Dransfield, both leading investigators in COPD research.
|
|
|
|
Seminars, Symposia and Conferences
|
Wednesday, January 20
UAB School of Medicine State of the School
Margaret Cameron Spain Auditorium
(West Pavilion), 620 19th St. S.
Noon-1:15pm
Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., FACS, senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the UAB School of Medicine, will give his annual State of the School of Medicine address from noon to 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, in the Margaret Cameron Spain Auditorium.
Vickers will highlight the achievements from the past year across the broad missions of the School of Medicine: research, clinical care and medical education. He will also outline his plan for continued growth in the School of Medicine in pursuit of becoming the preferred academic medical center.
Clinical Trials Office Research Seminar
Theme: Proper Reporting and Documentation
"How to Report Results" with Penny Jester
Noon-1pm
PCAMS, 1924 7th Avenue South
You can also dial in using your phone (267) 507-0008;Access Code: 930-891-813
Thursday, January 21
Professional Skills Development Series
"K is For Career Development"
Melissa McBrayer, MEd
Manager, Research Grants and Training
Department of Pediatrics
The goal of this session is to describe the purpose of the Career Development (K) Award funding mechanism,
identify the elements of a K award (with emphasis on the 3 parts of the career development plan), and
utilize examples and assistance provided by multiple resources to develop a K award for submission.
PCAMS, 1924 7th Avenue South
You can also dial in using your phone: (Long distance): +1 (224) 501-3412
Access Code: 804-329-197
Tuesday, January 26
Informatics Institute Lecture
"Capturing Phenotype Information from Pathology Image Collections for Prognostication and Phenotype-genotype Studies"
Lee Cooper, PhD
Assistant Professor (joint)
Department of Biomedical Engineering Georgia Tech / Emory University School of Medicine Department of Biomedical Informatics Emory University School of Medicine
11:30am
Shelby Building Room 105 (1825 University Boulevard)
Please register; lunch will be served:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/capturing-phenotype-information-from-pathology-image-collections-for-prognostication-and-phenotype-tickets-20421439074
Thursday, January 28
UAB Research Orientation Program
Fourth Thursday of each month
PCAMS, 1924 7th Avenue South
New to the UAB platform of education offerings for research is a program designed for young investigators and research staff that are new to research (possibly within the first 2 months of starting in research).
Content:
A basic review of how to implement a sponsored or investigator initiated study including clinical, regulatory and financial aspects.
Intent:
To provide a basic overview of implementing a study, familiarize attendees with the language, and hopefully provide guidance on avoiding pitfalls when starting out. Will provide basic tools and some of the necessary language in order to successfully conduct a research study.
Who should attend:
New faculty, coordinators, budget and regulatory staff
Registration: Limited, so please REGISTER early by contacting Dharti K. Patel,
Dpatel80@uab.edu
Friday, February 6
First Friday Mentoring Lunch
Noon-1pm
PCAMS, 1924 7th Avenue South
Thursday, February 11
UAB Informatics Institute Lecture
"Demystifying Brain Injuries and Beyond: Informatics for Critical Care Medicine"
Vignesh Subbian, PhD
Instructor
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computing Systems
University of Cincinnati
Noon-1pm
Shelby 515
1825 University Blvd
Lunch will be served.
Questions? Please contact Dr. James Cimino, Director, Informatics Institute (
ciminoj@uab.edu
; 205.996.1958)
Friday, February 26
Rare Disease Genomics Symposium
8:30am-3:30pm
Bradley Lecture Center
4th Floor, Children's Harbor Building
$15 to attend
Friday, February 26
UAB Sponsored Conference on Therapeutic Adherence
A national conference on therapeutic adherence sponsored by the UAB School of Medicine and our University Wide Interdisciplinary Research Centers (UWIRCS) at the Edge of Chaos ( http://theedgeofchaos.org/).
The "Understanding and Improving Treatment Adherence: An Interdisciplinary Approach" conference will include several notable speakers (see below) didactic discussions, as well as breakout sessions. The published proceedings will highlight gaps in adherence research and collaborative funding opportunities. More details will be forthcoming.
Speaker
|
Topic
|
Rivet Amico, PhD
,
University of Michigan
|
Conceptual models and behavioral frameworks in designing studies on adherence: How to employ models in needs assessment, intervention mapping, or continuous quality improvement
|
Elizabeth McQuaid, PhD
,
Brown University
|
Ethnic disparities and therapeutic adherence
|
Michael Stirratt, PhD
,
NIH/NIMH
|
Taxonomy of adherence research: How models of therapeutic adherence research fit within clinical settings
|
Jeffrey Curtis, MD, MS, MPH
,
UAB
|
Improving therapeutic adherence and utilization of large databases in therapeutic adherence research
|
SAVE THE DATE:
Wednesday, May 4
Center for Genomic Medicine Symposium
Presented by:
The University of Alabama at Birmingham and
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Jackson Center, Huntsville, AL
10am-3pm
Hear talks from specialists and gain the opportunity to ask questions of a distinguished panel of experts.
You will have the chance to tour the innovative HudsonAlpha facility, enjoy a networking lunch with your peers and discuss with colleagues over cocktails
at the evening social.
Registration is free of charge. Agenda and registration information to follow.
|
NEW! Clinical Investigator Training Program:
A Practical and Pragmatic Approach For investigators
|
UAB Research Orientation Program - Starts Thursday, Jan. 28
UAB Research Orientation Program is a program designed for the investigators and research staff that are new to research (possibly within the first 2 months of starting in research).
The content of the program will be a basic review of how to implement a sponsored or investigator initiated study including clinical, regulatory and financial aspects. The intent of this program is to provide a basic overview of implementing a study, familiarize attendees with the language, and hopefully provide guidance on avoiding pitfalls when starting out. This is not an all-encompassing program, but will provide basic tools and some of the necessary language in order to successfully conduct a research study.
We encourage new faculty, coordinators, budget and regulatory staff to attend.
At this time there is no cost for the program.
The UAB Research Orientation Program will be offered the fourth Thursday of each month 8am - noon in PCAMS (1924 7th Avenue S).
Please complete the form and email to
dpatel80@uab.edu;
or for questions call 205.975.2758.
|
Announcing the CCTS Research Voucher Program
Accelerate Discovery with CCTS Research Vouchers
The CCTS Research Voucher Program provides direct research support to investigators throughout the partner network. Investigators may use vouchers to offset expense(s) for clinical and translational research services, including clinical research units, sample handling and biospecimen storage, necessary laboratory tests, study design and methodology, database handling, informatics and other CCTS-related resources across the Partner Institutions.
Apply for up to $5,000 (direct) in research support to facilitate the rapid and efficient implementation of a study by working closely with shared facilities using state-of-the-art methodologies.
Applications must outline:
-Experimental need
-What will be enabled by the investment (e.g., manuscript, grant application, additional aims)
-Provide a budget with justification
Proposals which seek to use CCTS Resources will be given special consideration. All lines of investigation supported by the CCTS Research Voucher Program require appropriate regulatory approvals (IRB, IACUC, as applicable) in advance of award and study implementation.
Voucher Ideas (not an exhaustive list):
- I would like to use CRSP and the Clinical Research Unit to recruit, consent and collect blood specimens from a few participants to generate preliminary data for an R01.
- I need extended biostatistics consultation / methodologic assistance from USA's Translational Research Services Unit, which will inform the research strategy of an investigator-initiated clinical trial.
- I would like to image a few healthy controls at Auburn University's MRI Research Center to establish study feasibility for a potential career development award.
- I need help to develop a REDCap database to aid in the collection, management and archival of clinical research data.
Research Voucher Requests will be accepted electronically as
a single PDF by
CCTS Research Commons (
ccts@uab.edu) on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed by the CCTS Executive Council for scientific merit, mission alignment, appropriateness of the budget and justification of need.
Questions? Contact the CCTS--
call: 205-934-7442 or email:
ccts@uab.edu
|
ACTS Translational Science 2016
Travel Awards
Deadline Extended
*Due January 31*
Available for investigators and teams at all levels of career development, with special emphasis on junior faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students. Requires an abstract submission as a presenter at theTranslational Science 2016 Meeting, taking place April 13-15, 2016
, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.
What You Will Experience at ACTS:
- Translational Science 2016 will offer more continuing education than ever before!
- Hear dedicated plenary sessions, view abstracts during expanded poster-hall viewing hours with dedicated oral presentation time, and over thirty 60-minute breakout sessions covering the following topic areas:
- Translational Science in the Digital Age
- Dissemination and Implementation Science
- Team Science
- Learning and Development Science
- Innovation and Entrepreneurial Science
- Integrity & Conduct of Clinical and Translational Science
- Translational Science Acceleration
- Informative Examples of Translational Science
- The Translational Science Meeting spotlights cutting-edge achievements in clinical and translational investigation, research impact, networking and scientific community, exposure to novel methods, best practices and important resources, and career development programs.
Learn more about the meeting and
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
for Translational Science 2016.
Travel awards of up to $1,000 will be available from the CCTS to match funds from the researcher's department.
Please submit the following materials to the CCTS to apply for your travel award:
- Copy of submitted abstract
- Letter from the Chair of your Department specifying they will provide matching funds in the amount of $1,000 towards travel.
Please submit your application for a travel award to Angie Schmeckebier/CCTS Research Commons at ccts@uab.edu no later than January 31, 2016.
|
BIOSTATISTICS & BIOREPOSITORY*(*new!)
Mondays
Epidemiology/Biostatistics Clinic in The Edge of Chaos
This clinic provides the UAB community access to epidemiology and biostatistics resources. Available most
Mondays, 10am-2pm in The Edge of Chaos (Lister Hill Library, 4th floor). Check the
Edge of Chaos calendar
for confirmation of meeting dates and times.
Biostats: Weekly on Wednesdays, 11:30am-1pm
Biorepository: First Wednesday of each month, 11:30am-1pm
PCAMS Building 1924 7th Avenue South
We've expanded our Biostats Clinic to include members of our CCTS Biorepository Team. On the
FIRST WEDNESDAY of each month, experts from our
CCTS Core Lab will join the CCTS Biostats experts to
answer questions and provide consultative services on any aspect of specimen collection, specimen management, specimen processing and biorepository needs.
The Biostatistics & Biorepository Clinics are open to all faculty members, post-docs, fellows, residents, and students. Attendees are invited to bring statistical and methodological questions about on-going research projects, projects being planned, manuscripts in progress, responses to peer reviewers, and published articles. They are also invited to bring their laptops. Assistance will be provided by members of the
CCTS BERD & Biorepository groups. A light lunch is served.
BERD Design Consultation Available Today
|
Pittman Center for Advanced Medical Sciences
1924 Seventh Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294
|
|
|
|
|