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CCTS Digest 1.15. 16 | www.uab.edu/ccts
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In This Issue

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
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.

Thursday, January 21
Clinical Trials Office Research Seminar
Theme: Proper Reporting and Documentation
"How to Report Results" with Penny Jester

Noon-1pm
PCAMS, 1924 7th Avenue South
Please join us remotely via GoToMeeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone: 
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/930891813  
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.

8-9:30am
PCAMS, 1924 7th Avenue South


If you wish to connect to this meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone, go to: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/840329197  

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
Cost:
Free
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

Please  RSVP  so that we have enough food: ccts@uab.edu; 205-934-7442. 

 
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
 
 Please register to attend  no later than Monday, 02/08/16
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
To register,  visit ChildrensAL.org/genetics
Questions? Please contact  Shaila Handattu at hande@uab.edu

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



We are pleased to announce the launch of a new program which will begin January 21, 2016.  The Clinical Investigator Training Program: Clinical Research- A Practical and Pragmatic Approach for Investigators will take place from 8 am to noon at Cancer Center Boardroom, NP 2532.

This program is designed for those with MDs and PhDs, with a heavy emphasis on the responsibilities of investigators when overseeing clinical trials with humans. The content covers activities that are necessary after the protocol is written or received from a sponsor until the final study report. The program provides programmatic content as navigating the system at UAB, as well as, an exposure to what should be a requirement for all involved in clinical investigation. 

REGISTRATION FORM (PDF):  Please download and email to Dharti Patel.  
 Faculty Research Education Workgroup Curriculum for Investigator Training Program (ITP) - (PDF)

If you have questions, please contact Penny Jester (pjester@uab.edu) or Mansoor Saleh, MD (mns@uab.edu)
For registration, please contact Dharti Patel (dpatel80@uab.edu) or 975-2758. 

UAB Research Orientation Program - Starts Thursday, Jan. 28

yellow_researcher_portrait.jpg

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.

Please visit  CCTS Research Commons to learn more about available CCTS resources and capacities across the  Partner Network. If you have any questions about eligible opportunities. 

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*

The Center for Clinical and Translation Science (CCTS) is pleased to offer travel awards to investigators and trainees across the CCTS Partner Network who are interested in presenting their work at the upcoming ACTS Translational Science Meeting.

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
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. 

UAB CCTS Biostatistics & Biorepository Clinics                                                   
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 Clinicare 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
If you can't visit the clinic, please contact the BERD  or the Core Lab at your convenience  by emailing ccts@uab.edu,  calling  (205) 934-7442, or connecting through  Research Commons on the CCTS home page. 

UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Science |   ccts@uab.edu | www.uab.edu/ccts
 Pittman Center for Advanced Medical Sciences
1924 Seventh Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294