Today marks the one-year anniversary of Dr. Robert Finberg’s passing. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues as we remember his contributions to our campus community, the local community, and beyond.

We tip our hats in your memory, Bob!

Karen Griffin Featured in Sponsored Research Administration Guide 

Congratulations to Karen Griffin, EdD, Senior Administrator for Department of Medicine Operations, whose article Managing Staff in Challenging Times, was recently published by the National Council of University Research Administrators as part of the Sponsored Research Administration Guide. Read her article by clicking the link below. 

Aijaz Bhat Receives Horae Gene Therapy Fellowship

Congratulations to Aijaz Bhat, PhD, post-doctoral associate and member of Dr. Jae-Hyuck Shim’s lab, who was recently awarded the 2022 Horae Gene Therapy Postdoctoral Fellowship, which represents a great honor reflecting academic excellence in gene therapy research.

His work titled “A novel miRNA-based gene therapy to promote bone formation in osteoporosis using bone-targeting rAAV” received the highest score from a highly competitive reviewing process conducted by an external review committee. Great work, Aijaz! 

PRiSM Program Takes Off at UMass Chan

David McManus, MD, the Richard M. Haidack Professor of Medicine, Chair and Professor of Medicine, and Edith Mensah Otabil, clinical research coordinator in the McManus lab, have created a program called Pipeline for Underrepresented Students in Medicine (PRiSM). PRiSM introduces undergraduate and post-graduate students from the Worcester Consortium Schools that are traditionally underrepresented in medicine, to clinical research and healthcare opportunities.  

The program is a structured non-credit clinical research opportunity sponsored by Dr. David McManus and the Department of Medicine at UMass Chan, and requires a commitment of at least one year. This pipeline program hopes to engage participants in state-of-the-art clinical research programs, provide students with in-depth exposure to clinical research methods, while addressing the underrepresentation of minorities in medicine.  

PRiSM was inspired by Otabil's experience at the College of the Holy Cross, in a program titled "First-Year Research Advancement." The program invites students with an interest in STEM and those from historically excluded communities to discover and further their self-identity as scientists. Arriving at UMass Chan sparked Otabil's interest in helping establish the PRiSM program.  

This year's PRiSM cohort consists of 6 graduates from the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester State University, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, each with their own passion for the STEM field and medicine.  Nakesha Agyapong,  Camarlin Franco,  Daniel Mbusa,  Matheus Montenario,  Marc-Kendy Paul , and  Tatiana Thompson will  take part in the program for at least one year and will work to engage participants in state-of-the-art clinical research programs, provide students with in-depth exposure to clinical research methods, and address the underrepresentation of minorities in medicine.                     

Join Overdose Prevention Fund Volunteers on August 31st to Mark Overdose Awareness Day

August 31st marks International Overdose Awareness Day, the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose and the stigma associated with substance use disorders, remember those we have lost, and support all who are grieving. 

On the morning of Wednesday, August 31st, a small group of Overdose Prevention Fund volunteers will be planting 2,290 purple flags on the campus green in front of the Ambulatory Care Center. Tune into the UMass Memorial Medical Center Facebook page at 12:00 noon, for a brief ceremony of reflection, remembrance, and hope via Facebook Live.

UMass Chan Makes Forbes Top 50

UMass Chan Medical School is in the top 50 on the Forbes list of Best-In-State Employers. See why UMassChan is a great place to work in Massachusetts at the link below.

Revised UMass Chan DEI Policy  

UMass Chan has recently made changes to their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy. This policy applies to all UMass Chan faculty and employees who share responsibility for recruiting, hiring and retaining faculty and staff and recruiting and admitting learners to our academic community. Any questions may be directed to the Diversity and Inclusion Office. 

Please take a moment to review the new policy at the link below. 

iCELS Recruiting for a Simulationist

The Interprofessional Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation (iCELS) is recruiting a Simulationist. This is an exciting opportunity for your faculty who are dedicated to simulation in your departments or more broadly. Qualifications and responsibilities, and further details are noted by clicking the link below.

Pfizer 2022/2023 Global Obesity ASPIRE Competitive Grant Program Opportunity 

Pfizer has issued an RFP for their 2022/2023 Global Obesity ASPIRE Program. 

Letters of Intent are due on October 11th.  

To learn more about areas of interest, in-scope research, eligibility, how to apply, and more, click the link below.