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Houston Methodist to Play Key Role in DARTS Collaboration
The Defeating Antibiotic Resistance through Transformative Solutions (DARTS) project is a collaboration of 25 research groups from across the U.S. and UK, including Houston Methodist. DARTS will work to develop a set of rapid diagnostic platforms to detect antibiotic-resistant bacteria in blood samples and identify the appropriate antibiotic in real time. The work will also advance insight into development of antibiotic resistance. The Houston Methodist effort is led by Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD, PhD, the Charles and Anne Duncan Presidential Distinguished Chair, Department of Medicine; Chai and Professor, Department of Medicine. This collaboration further establishes Houston Methodist as a leading academic medical center helping address the most alarming global health threats facing patients.
Read more in digital Methodology.
Digital Methodology
Predicting treatment outcomes of cancer nanomedicine
Researchers at Houston Methodist have discovered zone-specific accumulation patterns of intratumorally injected nanoparticles based on surface functionalization that can revolutionize cancer nanomedicine.
Read more in digital Methodology.
Lab Notebooks Available
Houston Methodist Academic Institute-approved lab notebooks are available for distribution through the Office of Technology Transfer.
Presidential Seminar Series - The Future of Orthobiologics as an Adjuvant to Surgical Treatment
Johnny Huard, PhD, will present on The Future of Orthobiologics as an Adjuvant to Surgical Treatment. Geriatric syndromes could lead individuals to exhibit significant mobility and psychological deficits resulting in substantial healthcare costs. Thus, identifying strategies to delay aging or prevent progressive loss of tissue homeostasis could dramatically restore the function and independence of millions of elderly patients and significantly improve quality of life. Orthobiologics are innovative treatment adjuvants that are increasingly being used in the treatment of orthopedic injuries. The treatment can be administered to augment the biology or healing potential of the injured musculoskeletal tissue.
Click here for more information.
Praying for Each Other
Every week, the Prayer Connect Team at Houston Methodist Hospital sends an email with prayer requests. About 160 Methodist employees have committed to pray for requests from our colleagues and community.
We believe that staying connected is vital to our well-being, so please consider joining the chaplains in this initiative. If you would like to join us in praying for the requests of our employees and community, please reply to this email or contact Michela deTranaltes, Project Specialist for Grace Ministries, so we can add you to our confidential online community.
If you would like to submit a prayer, either text PRAYER to 45991 or email HMHPrayerRequest@houstonmethodist.org.
Bo Hu, MD, PhD, received a Career Cornerstone Award in recognition of receiving his first NIH/NINDS R01 grant for “Pathogenesis in Segmental Demyelination."
Guangyu Wang, PhD, received a Career Cornerstone Award in recognition of receiving an NIH/NIGMS grant for “Landscapes for Cell State Transition Leveraging by Single-Cell Multi-Omics.”
Hyung-Lok Chung, PhD, received an Excellence in Peer-Reviewed Publications in recognition for his peer-reviewed article “Very-long-chain Fatty Acids Induce Glial-derived Sphingosine-1-phosphate Synthesis, Secretion, and Neuroinflammation.”
Alessandro Grattoni, PhD, received an Excellence in Peer-Reviewed Publications in recognition for his peer-reviewed article “Long-acting refillable nanofluidic implant confers protection against SHIV infection in nonhuman primates.”
Henry Pownall, PhD, received an Excellence in Research award in recognition of receiving a NHLBI R01 grant for his project, “Human Atherogenesis with Underlying Dysfunctional HDL-Free Cholesterol."
Khurram Nasir, MD, PhD, received an Excellence in Research award in recognition of receiving a NHLBI R01 grant for his project, “Human Atherogenesis with Underlying Dysfunctional HDL-Free Cholesterol."
Joshua Harris, MD, was appointed the Bobbie Nau and John L. Nau III Distinguished Associate Professor in Joint Preservation.
Sherif Nagueh, MD, was appointed Chair of Cardiovascular Diseases at DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center.
NIH News
Rethinking Population Descriptors in Genetics and Genomics Studies
Assuming that biological or genetic differences relate directly to racial or ethnic categories can lead to false scientific conclusions and perpetuate bias. Misuse of population descriptors has harmed marginalized groups and promoted scientific racism. These limitations in existing population descriptors in genetics and genomics led 14 NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices to sponsor the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to establish an interdisciplinary committee of experts and explore the issue.
All About NIH Subaward Agreements: Webinar on Oct. 17
Whether you are a principal investigator considering a subaward arrangement with either a domestic or foreign institution, or a research administrator eager to deepen your understanding of the prerequisites and regulations governing compliant subaward agreements, mark your calendar for October 17 and virtually accompany us as we provide invaluable insights during an engaging event.
David Baskin, MD, Joe Galati, MD, and Abdul-Jabbar Khan, MD, were recently featured in the Houston Chronicle Health cover story detailing the medical journey of Rice University Professor Al Danto, who spent 65 days at Houston Methodist Hospital after facing a brain tumor, pulmonary embolism and near-failure of his kidneys.
Ashley Drews, MD, was interviewed by ABC News offering a perspective on why tracking COVID-19 reinfections has waned.
Sadeer Al-Kindi, MD, was quoted in an Houston Chronicle article about the relationship between extreme heat and heart attacks. Al-Kindi also was interviewed by the Chronicle about wildfires.
Wesley Long, MD, PhD, was interviewed by Reuters, resulting in two articles about the new BA.2.86 COVID variant that recently emerged which has 36 mutations distinguishing it from the currently dominant XBB.1.5 (aka Eris) variant. Long also was interviewed by the Huffington Post about where germs are most found in schools and how to best avoid getting sick. He also was quoted in the Houston Chronicle about Houston being in a summer COVID wave.
In response to the CDC’s new guidelines for hospitals to detect and treat sepsis, Faisal Masud, MD, recently spoke with KPRC-TV. Masud also spoke with Becker’s on the topic.
Cesar Arias, MD, PhD, was interviewed by WIRED magazine for a story on Vibrio, which is a flesh-eating bacterium growing in number and creeping further north due to climate change as oceans warm. Arias also was interviewed by the Huffington Post for a round-up article about what infectious disease experts are personally doing to mitigate risk, as well as what hasn’t changed about their behavior, considering the latest uptick in COVID cases
October is Global Diversity Awareness Month!
The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is coordinating a month-long recognition of October’s designation as Global Diversity Awareness Month by creating a range of recommended activities and events that teams systemwide can participate to celebrate the cultures, backgrounds and beliefs represented by the Houston Methodist workforce. Use the resources in our DEI Toolkit to plan and celebrate the diversity within your teams!
October Monthly Observances
Filipino American History Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Italian-American Heritage Month
Polish-American Heritage Month
October Daily Observances
German-American Heritage Day Oct. 6
World Mental Health Day Oct. 10
Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Oct. 9)
Your DEI Personal Day: Deadline Dec. 16
Your DEI Personal Day: Deadline Dec. 16 Eligible employees may use their DEI PTO hours to celebrate days that are special to them or other members of their faith, race, nationality or anything else that makes them unique. Note that unlike standard PTO, the hours do not roll over to the next year, so don’t forget to use your personal day before the last day of the final pay period of 2023 on Monday, Dec. 16 For more details, see HR Policy 72.
We are excited to see how you spend your DEI Personal Day this year so we can share with your colleagues in upcoming editions of the DEI Corner. Don’t forget to send photos of you enjoying your DEI Personal Day to the theofficeofdei@houstonmethodist.org.
Let Us Know About Heritage Observances
Is there a heritage month or day you would like for others to learn more about? Let us know. Contact theofficeofdei@houstonmethodist.org.
Career Opportunities
The Houston Methodist Academic Institute has new job openings. Visit here to find one that interests you or forward to someone who might be interested.
We welcome these new employees who joined the Academic Institute in December 2022.
- Zeyad Abouelfetouh, Radiology Rsrch-Diego Martin, Postdoctoral Fellow II
- Ayesha Aftab, Nanomedicine – Ozpolat, Postdoctoral Fellow 0
- Mary Allen, Education – CNREP, Student Professional Nur
- Michelle Almarez, Ob/Gyn Research, Clinical Trials Manager
- Alberto Ardura-Fabregat, Neurology – Masdeu, Postdoctoral Fellow 0
- Katherine Aris, Education – CNREP, Student Professional Nurse
- Rosa Maria Barroso Da Costa, Medicine - Lung Center, Manager Clinical Trials
- Angela Barrs, Education – CNREP, Instructional Designer
- Alexandrea Baskin, Neurosurg-Baskin, Clinical Research Specialist
- Lauren Beydoun, Contracts Administration, Research Contract Analyst
- Cindy Bonilla Banegas, Education – CNREP, Student Professional Nurse
- Nicole De Castro, Education – CNREP, Student Professional Nurse
- Nathan De La Garza, Rsrch & ED Technology Ops, Application Analyst
- Luis De Santana Maniero, RNA Therapeutics – Brannan, Graduate Research Fellow
- Britney Contreras, Education – CNREP, Student Professional Nurse
- Deha Butler, MITIE Sime Center, Simulation Specialist
- Aishwarya Bhadekar, HR General, Senior HR Representative
- Reena Boradia, Neurology – Masdeu, Clinical Research Nurse
- Emersyn Coody, Education – CNREP, Student Professional Nurse
- Maria Del Pino Castillo, Education – CNREP, Professional Development Leader
- Sajni Desai, Education – CNREP, Student Professional Nurse
- Jacob Dziadula, Infectious Disease, Research Assistant II
- Marco Farina, Urology – Satkunasivam, Postdoctoral Fellow 0
- Asmita Ghosh, Infectious Disease – Arias, Research Coordinator I
- Leola Griffin, HRPO - IRB, Manager IRB Research Protection
- Natolie Hamilton, Cancer Clinical Trials, Clinical Research Specialist
- Miriam Hinojosa, Infect Disease – Kumaraswami, Research Coordinator II
- Diana Husvethova, Vascular, Postdoctoral Fellow 0
- Thomas Jenkins, Orthopedics – Research, Postdoctoral Fellow 0
- Chloe Kharsa, Structural Heart Dis_Interv, Postdoctoral Fellow 0
- Nikitha Kota, Nanomedicine – Grattoni, Research Technician I
- Dimitrios Maragiannis, Imaging, Research Associate I
- Viviana Martinez-Vega, Education – CNREP, Student Professional Nurse
- Biswajit Mishra, Pathology – Zu, Research Scientist
- Sierra Mitchell, IACUC and Safety, Pre-Clinical Regulatory Analyst
- James Nguyen, Radiology Rsrch-Diego Martin, Research MRI Technologist
- Rachel Payne, Contracts Administration, Research Contract Analyst
- Francis Perez, MITIE Administration, Manager Research Operations
- Rachel Pijnnaken, Education – CNREP, Student Professional Nurse
- Shiva Murali Prasad, Infectious Disease – Arias, Research Assistant II
- Jessica Rentcome, HRPO – IRB, Sr Scientific Writer
- Cornelius Rosenbaum, HDSA – Statistics, Data Scientist
- Maria Clara Santia, ob/Gyn Research, Clinical Research Specialist
- Liezl Sarinas, Education – CNREP, Student Professional Nurse
- Shubhra Singh, Infectious Disease – Arias, Research Coordinator I
- Mark Stasiak, Radiology Rsrch-Diego Martin, Research Laboratory Supervisor
- Tomomi Tanaka, Neurology - Hyung-Lok Chung, Research Assistant II
- Nagendran Tharmalingam, Drosophila Core, Research Scientist
- Murali Thiagarajan, HR-General, HR Representative
- Yanni Julia Thomas, Education – CME, Sr Continuing Medical Education Coordinator
- Mary Veazie, HMRI Finance Administration, Director Clinical Research Finance
- Zhihao Wan, METEOR, Research Informatics Developer
Policy Reminders
BP in Practice is an educational reminder designed to raise awareness regarding Business Practices hot topics, relevant laws and policies & procedures. Find archives of BP in Practice here. If you have questions, contact the BP EthicsLine at 800.500.0333 or visit tmhs.myethicsline.com.
#Scoliosis: an analysis of patient perception of scoliosis on TikTok
Acute bone loss following SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice
Haudenschild, A. K., Christiansen, B. A., Orr, S., Ball, E. E., Weiss, C. M., Liu, H., Fyhrie, D. P., Yik, J. H. N., Coffey, L. L., & Haudenschild, D. R. (2023). Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 41(9), 1945-1952. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.25537
AI-based, automated chamber volumetry from gated, non-contrast CT
Jacob, A. J., Abdelkarim, O., Zook, S., Kragholm, K. H., Gupta, P., Cocker, M., Giraldo, J. R., Doherty, J. O., Schoebinger, M., Schwemmer, C., Gulsun, M. A., Rapaka, S., Sharma, P., & Chang, S. M. (Accepted/In press). Journal of cardiovascular computed tomography. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcct.2023.08.001
A multimodal intraosseous infusion of morphine and ketorolac decreases early postoperative pain and opioid consumption following total knee arthroplasty
McNamara, C. A., Laurita, J., Lambert, B. S., Sullivan, T. C., Clyburn, T. A., Incavo, S. J., & Park, K. J. (2023). Knee, 43, 129-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.knee.2023.06.002
Anterior Column Realignment Using an Anterior-To-Psoas Approach: A Radiographic-Anatomic Feasibility Study at L1-L5
Hirase, T., Shin, C., Thirumavalavan, J., Boddapati, V., Lee, T., Haghshenas, V., & Marco, R. A. W. (Accepted/In press). Global Spine Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/21925682231161577
If you have a featured publication, such as a journal cover, let us know so we can include it in our next issue.
Bridge to Translational Research Initiative (B2TRI) Request for Applications
The Houston Methodist Academic Institute (HMAI) is pleased to reissue the Bridge to Translational Research Initiative (B2TRI) Request for Applications, which provides funding for promising and clinically relevant research (molecular, cellular, or early pre-clinical research) to advance for TRI funding consideration. The TRI is a Houston Methodist (HM) program designed to identify and fund the further development of drugs, diagnostics, devices, tools or technology that will comprise HM intellectual property. However, some promising ideas are not yet eligible for TRI funding, and the B2TRI program aims to support investigators in preparing these ideas for future competitive TRI applications.
Key Dates
Applications Due: Rolling
Applications must be submitted via the Houston Methodist Intramural Awards portal and will be accepted on a rolling basis. Email submissions will not be accepted.
Link to B2TRI opportunity details page is here.
Houston Methodist Academic Institute Golfers Against Cancer Request for Applications
Key Dates
Applications Due: Thursday, Oct. 19 by Noon
Applications Reviewed: October – November 2023
Limited Submission Selection: November 2023
Golfers Against Cancer (GAC) announces the reissuance of their Request for Applications (RFA) to support cancer research in all areas of cancer and for proposals meeting the following criteria:
- Research aimed at finding a cure for cancer.
- Proposed research is innovative with a high potential for a medical breakthrough.
- Results are not limited to only one type of cancer and have the potential to impact a broad population of cancer patients.
Houston Methodist Academic Institute Nanomedicine in Infectious Diseases Collaborative Pilot Projects Request for Applications
The Department of Nanomedicine and the Center for Infectious Diseases at Houston Methodist are pleased to announce a seed funding program to foster intra-institutional innovative collaborations that will lead to federal funding. The main goal of the program is to provide funding and resources for high-impact collaborative pilot studies that will generate preliminary data for federal funding applications. This Request for Applications (RFA) solicits highly meritorious collaborative, multidisciplinary, translational research in Nanomedicine for Infectious Diseases.
Key Dates
Submission Deadline: Oct. 26 at 5 p.m.
Scientific Review: November
Award Announcement: December
Estimated Start Date: Jan. 1
Applications must be submitted through the Houston Methodist Intramural Awards Portal. The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Oct. 26. For support with using the portal, Academic Affairs has created a webinar that can be viewed on Watch HM.
For questions related to the RFA and Houston Methodist Intramural Awards portal, contact:
HMAI Academic Affairs
Houston Methodist Academic Institute
6670 Bertner Avenue, R12
Houston, TX 77030
academicaffairs@houstonmethodist.org | 346-238-8244
Administrative Program Contacts:
Christy Le chle@houstonmethodist.org
Dilzi Mody dfmody@houstonmethodist.org
Clinical Scholar Awards (Clinician Investigator Award, Clinician Scientist Award, and Clinician Educator Award) Request for Applications
The request for Clinical Scholar Awards Request for Applications (RFA) has been reissued. Academic Affairs solicits nominations of exceptionally talented individuals who are educated and trained in clinical practice and seek support for translational research, clinical trials, or education. The Clinical Scholar offers three funding tracks:
- The Clinical Investigator Award requires awardees to dedicate 20% of their time to clinical research (e.g., clinical trials, patient-based research, or outcomes research) and 80% of their time to clinical practice.
- The Clinician Scientist Award requires awardees to dedicate 50% of their time to translational research (e.g., laboratory studies) and 50% of their time to clinical practice.
- The Clinician Educator Award requires awardees to commit 20% of their time to educational activities (e.g., educational effectiveness research or curriculum design and implementation studies) and 80% of their time to clinical practice.
Submission Guidelines
Applications must be submitted via the Houston Methodist Intramural Awards portal by noon on Thursday, Nov. 30
*All times CDT
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