Houston Methodist Academic Institute
NEWSLETTER
March 2022
result
result
Jun Li named next chair of the Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology
Jun Li, MD, PhD, is joining Houston Methodist as the chair of the Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology at the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, effective June 1. Li succeeds Stanley Appel, MD, who is stepping down after 15 years as chair of the department to focus on his new role as the director of the Johnson Center for Cellular Therapeutics. Li most recently served as the chair of the Department of Neurology, the scientific director of Translational Neuroscience Initiatives at Wayne State University and the specialist-in-chief of Neurology at the Detroit Medical Center.
Jun Li, MD, PhD
Li spent nine years of his junior faculty career at WSU and another nine years at Vanderbilt University before taking on the chair position at WSU. As a physician-scientist, he subspecializes in peripheral nerve diseases and myelin biology. His laboratory has been continuously funded by NIH since 2004. He has published more than 90 articles in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters. These contributions earned him a Wolfe Research Prize from the American Neurological Association in 2014. He is a current member of the ANA Board of Directors and has also served as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association, and the scientific committee of the Peripheral Nerve Society. He has been a member of NIH study sections for more than a decade.
He received his medical degree from Anhui Medical University in the People’s Republic of China in 1985. He received his doctoral degree in Neurosciences in 1995 from the Drexel University College of Medicine (formerly Hahnemann University). He completed a Neurology residency in 1999 at the Ohio State University and an EMG/Neuromuscular Fellowship in 2000 in the Department of Neurology at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
In addition to his own work, Li has a passion for mentoring post-doctoral students, junior faculty, technicians, research assistants and students.
Digital Methodology
State-of-the-art neural organoids designed by Houston Methodist researchers are scalable reproducible and allow manipulation of neuron and astrocyte activity. This all-inducible “mini brain” in vitro system could help researchers study human neuron-glial interactions better and could serve as an improved testing platform for drug discovery. Read more in digital Methodology.
Announcements
UH receives $1M gift from Houston Methodist for medical education professorship
A $1 million gift from Houston Methodist to the University of Houston will establish a new endowed professorship to be held by a nationally prominent thought leader in medical education. This first-of-its-kind role at UH will further propel the city of Houston and the region as global leaders in health-care innovation.
The holder of the Houston Methodist Professorship of Medical Education will have a joint appointment in the UH College of Education and the UH College of Medicine and an adjunct appointment at the Houston Methodist Academic Institute, home to some of the world’s pre-eminent physician-scientists who are working collaboratively to translate discoveries in the lab into treatments for patients.
As part of the university’s “$100 Million Challenge” for chairs and professorships, the gift will be matched one-to-one to create a $2 million endowment. The matching grant program is funded by an anonymous donor and encourages the UH community to contribute to the University’s bold future in research and scholarship around complex global issues, including health-care innovation.
The learning scientist hired to hold the Houston Methodist Professorship of Medical Education will be expected to have a proven track record of impactful research and achievements recognized by membership in the National Academy of Science, National Academy of Medicine or another national academy related to the field of study.
The University of Houston and Houston Methodist Academic Institute have a shared goal to train physicians and medical professionals of the future and deliver high-value care to their patients, according to Stephen Spann, MD, vice president for medical affairs at UH and founding dean of the UH College of Medicine.
Grattoni Lab webpage launches
The Grattoni Lab website has launched.
The lab leverages the latest advancements in nanotechnology with the mission of modernizing medicine through innovations in drug and cell delivery. It develops implantable devices for various therapeutic applications, including long-term drug delivery, cell encapsulation, cancer treatment and vaccine platforms. By integrating its core expertise in engineering, chemistry, medicine and cancer biology, it aims to create the next generation of transformational health-care technologies.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction online course
The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course is an evidence-based, intensive exploration of the practice of mindfulness, and what it means to practice mindfulness in your own life. Taught by Rebecca Eldridge or Margaret Fletcher, MBSR teachers and teacher trainers certified through the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s Center for Mindfulness, the online MBSR course provides all the instruction and materials you need to practice mindfulness weekly within a group and daily on your own.
Mandatory Orientation: Wednesday, March 30, 6-8:30 p.m.
Attending the orientation is mandatory.
Wednesday, April 6, 6-9:00 p.m. The first class is a half-hour longer than usual.
Wednesday, April 13, 6-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 20, 6-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 27, 6-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 4, 6-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 11, 6-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 14, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Daylong retreat class.
Wednesday, May 18, 6-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 25, 6-9:30 p.m. The last class is one hour longer than usual.
For more details and to register, click here.
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.
Hang Ten: Employee Support Group
Hang Ten provides a safe and confidential environment for mutual support. A chaplain will facilitate the group and introduce life tools such as mindfulness, intentionality and reframing.
Each session will stand alone, so feel free to log on any week for as long as your time permits. The group meets every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. Click here to join the recurring meeting.
Accolades
Alessandro Grattoni, PhD, recently was named co-editor-in-chief of the journal Biomedical Microdevices, which discusses micro/nanodevices.
Texas Medical Center Innovation (TMCi) recently announced the 2022 Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics annual cohort, which includes Bruna Corradetti, PhD, for her “Transforming groundbreaking immunological advances into precision vaccines against cancer.” TMCi spearheads the Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics funded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas in association with the Gulf Coast Consortia and the University of Texas Medical Branch.
Sonia Villapol, PhD, will be a distinguished speaker on “Long Covid: What Will Remain After the Pandemic” at a COVID-19 Symposium organized by the Rice Treangen Lab and the Ken Kennedy Institute. The symposium is March 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This virtual event is free, but you must register here.
NIH News
How virtual convenings can enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
Our latest guest post describes the NIH Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity Office's commitment to hold all seminars, conferences, and meetings entirely online throughout 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic-induced shift to online events has led to a growing body of research on the impact of virtual scientific convenings. A review of this literature suggests that an entirely or primarily virtual format can enhance meeting access, diversity and climate.
Strengthening efforts to end harassment and discrimination at NIH-supported conferences
A year ago, we began requiring plans to enhance and strengthen diversity in applications seeking funding for scientific conferences and meetings. Building on these efforts, we are now asking recipients to proactively show how they will address safety and harassment.
Watch
Videos on Watch
Treating and Preventing Chronic Metabolic Disease: An Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine and Establishing its Place in Traditional Health Care
Chronic disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the US. Lifestyle medicine is a medical approach that uses evidence-based behavioral interventions to prevent, treat and manage chronic disease.
Click here to watch.
11th Annual Nantz National Alzheimer Center Symposium Plasma Biomarkers and New Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders
The Nantz National Alzheimer Center symposium will examine the striking advances made in the identification of plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Plasma biomarkers will allow for the identification of people at risk and, likely, for measuring the speed of disease progression. Thus, they will be critical in clinical trials and for the application of new therapies.
Click here to watch.
Inaugural Colorectal Cancer Updates for Primary Care
Colorectal cancer is the third-most-common cancer in the United States and the third-leading cause of cancer deaths. Of note, colorectal cancer rates are rising rapidly among young adults. Primary care providers play an important role in colorectal cancer prevention and are often called upon to provide care to colorectal cancer patients during and after their treatment.
Click here to watch.
In the Media
CNN Health did a story on the risks of people dying of COVID, even as cases are decreasing across the U.S. Faisal Masud, MD, provided comments focusing on how social determinants of health are playing a major role in who becomes seriously ill and dies from COVID-19. Click here to read the online story.
The Associated Press looked at recently published research out of Japan and South Africa and did an overview of how much has been learned about the BA.2 “stealth” omicron variant. Wesley Long, MD, PhD, is quoted. The AP story was picked up by more than 600 media sites in 18 countries.
Long also was interviewed recently for a story on the confusion about the CDC’s guidance on masking. The story first appeared in Reader’s Digest’s The Healthy and was picked up by MSN. The story mentions Dr. Long and colleagues’ study on masks keeping a variety of respiratory viruses at bay, not just COVID-19.
Long also spoke with KHOU-TV for a story about how supply chain issues affect hospitals and testing, with input from Randy Olsen, MD, PhD, on the types of challenges their labs faced and workarounds they’ve developed. The story aired locally in Houston and was also picked up by other affiliates throughout Texas. You can view both the on-air clip and written article here.
KHOU-TV also aired a behind-the-scenes story featuring interviews from scientists sequencing the COVID-19 virus genomes in search of omicron. Here’s an on-air clip of the TV story, and a print version can be read here.
Sean Barber, MD, recently provided background information, clinical studies and expert commentary to a New York Times reporter for an article on lower back pain. The lengthy feature story gives recommendations on exercises that can help prevent debilitating, often chronic pain in the lower back. The article can be found here.
Nicholas Desai, DPM, provided comments to Medscape on how Houston Methodist is using Alexa in patient rooms.
Mas Takashima, MD, recently provided expert comments for an article on treating allergies in Houston. The resulting Houstonia magazine article is online here.
The Houston Chronicle recently featured a front-page story on an M.D. Anderson physician whose personal connections with colon cancer led him to pursue research focused on racial disparities in this patient population. Farhaan Vahidy, PhD, associated director of the Center for Outcomes Research, provided third party comments on the importance of considering socioeconomic and other factors as we look for treatments and interventions. Click here to read the story.
COVID-19 Resources
Houston Methodist provides a variety of tools to facilitate collaborative research projects related to coronavirus. The following resources are available at https://www.tmc.edu/coronavirus-updates:
- Elsevier Coronavirus Research Hub
- Curated COVID-19 Funding Opportunities
- National Institutes of Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources
- PURE Coronavirus Portal for Research Collaboration
- Read about our COVID-19 research on the Methodology COVID-19 News page.
- Read our seven-step process as told to the Harvard Business Review that can help employers decide about employee-mandated COVID-19 vaccinations
DEI Spotlight
Greek American Heritage Month, also known as Hellenic Heritage Month or Greek American History Month, coincides with the celebration of Greece’s National Greek Independence Day on March 25, which commemorates Greece's victory in a revolution against the Ottoman Empire and its 400-yearlong occupation and colonization of the nation of Greece. The month also celebrates the many contributions that Greece has made to our society, including in areas such as the arts, sciences, philosophy, and political theory (namely democracy), as well as its rich cultural foods. Visit the National Hellenic Society’s website for more information on resources that support Greek culture.
Irish American Heritage Month
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 34.9 million Americans (9.2%) claim Irish ancestry. Highlighted by St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), Irish American Heritage Month honors the legacy of the Irish and their many contributions to American society. Following a wave of immigration from Ireland in the 19th century, the Irish persevered a long period of discrimination and scorn to make an indelible mark on countless facets of American society, such as the arts, politics, industry, workers’ rights and literature. The National Archives offers a wealth of information on the Irish American experience.
Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month offers an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary legacy of trailblazing women and girls who have built, shaped and improved our nation. The designation’s roots date to 1981, when the U.S. Congress passed a resolution designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” It became a monthly recognition in 1987. Throughout American history, women and girls have made vital contributions, often in the face of discrimination and undue hardship. They marched for and won the right to vote, campaigned against injustice, shattered countless barriers, and expanded the possibilities of American life. Click here for more information.
Is there a heritage month or day you would like for others to learn more about? Please let us know by emailing theofficeofdei@houstonmethodist.org.
Join or create an ERG: Are you interested in learning more about our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)? Text ERG to 45991.
Job Postings
We have several job openings in the Academic Institute. Click here to find one that interests you, or if you know of someone who might be interested.
New Employees
We welcome these new employees who joined the Academic Institute in December 2021.
- Hajar Abdellaoui, Surgical Skills Lab Spclst II, MITIE Simulation Lab
- Abigail Amaya, Clinical Rsch Spclst. Infectious Disease - Arias
- Rashad Bigham, Sr Trainee Affairs Coord, Education - WCGS Houston
- Paul Boakye, Licensing Assistant, Office of Technology Transfer
- Juliana Bozeman, Research Assistant I, Biorepository Core
- Robert Cao, Research Assistant I, Neurosurg - Britz
- Feifei Cheng, Postdoctoral Fellow 0, Cancer - Jing Yang
- Karen Coulson, Professional Dev Leader, Education - CNREP
- Rodrigo de Paula Baptista, Research Scientist, Infectious Disease – Arias
- George Drake, Sr Videogrphr/Photogrphr/Editr, Education – CNREP
- Ahmed Elsayed, Postdoctoral Fellow 0, Neurology - Ashizawa
- Tiffany Gonzales, ACM Animal Care Technician I, Comparative Med General
- Melissa Hall, Sr Program Manager, Academic Affairs
- Yexis Hechavarria, Research Assistant I, Radiology Rsrch-Zhonglin Lui
- Queeneth Jones, Nurse Practitioner PRN, Education - CNREP
- Lilla Ágnes Juhász, MD, Postdoctoral Fellow 0, Vascular
- Muhammad Kalim, Postdoctoral Fellow 1, Cancer - Yong Lu
- Neelam Lakhani, Clinical Research Nurse, Medicine - Lung Center
- Janaina Machado, ACM cGMP Specialist I, Translational Prod & Quality
- Rolando Marquez, Research Assistant I, Infect Disease – Kumaraswami
- Emelia Morris, Research Assistant I, Orthopedics – Taraballi
- Ayesha Pervaiz, ACM Sr Regltry Complnc Spclst, HCR Clinical Admin
- Radhikesh Ranadive, Data Scientist, COR – Jones
- Ayesha Saeed, Research Coordinator II, Structural Heart Dis_Interv
- Marianne Shafer, Research Coordinator II, Cancer Clinical Trials
- Christoforos Thomas, Scientist, Breast Oncology
- Maria Torres-Quiles, Training Coordinator, Office of Academic Development
- Amber Weatherspoon, ACM cGMP Specialist I, Translational Prod & Quality
- Pengzhi Zhang, ACM Research Associate I, CV Regeneration - Guangyu Wang
- Qian Zhang, Postdoctoral Fellow 1, COR – Sasangohar
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.
Publications
Activation of autophagy attenuates motor deficits and extends lifespan in a C. elegans model of ALS
Xu, H., Jia, C., Cheng, C., Wu, H., Cai, H. & Le, W., Mar 2022, In: Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 181, p. 52-61 10 p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.01.030
A multi-institutional retrospective analysis on impact of RV acute mechanical support timing after LVAD implantation on 1-year mortality and predictors of RV acute mechanical support weaning
Kumar, S., Derbala, M. H., Nguyen, D. T., Ferrall, J., Cefalu, M., Rivas-Lasarte, M., Rashid, S. M. I., Joseph, D. T., Graviss, E. A., Goldstein, D., Jorde, U. P., Bhimaraj, A., Suarez, E. E., Smith, S. A., Sims, D. B. & Guha, A., Feb 2022, In: Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. 41, 2, p. 244-254 11 p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healun.2021.10.005
Anthropometric Factors Associated with Bone Stress Injuries in Collegiate Distance Runners: New Risk Metrics and Screening Tools?
Carbuhn, A. F., Yu, D., Magee, L. M., McCulloch, P. C. & Lambert, B. S., Feb 9 2022, In: Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 10, 2 https://doi.org/10.1177/23259671211070308
Association between prior nephrectomy and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma - A systematic review and meta-analysis
Satkunasivam, R., Guzman, J. CA., Klaassen, Z., Hall, M. E., Luckenbaugh, A. N., Lim, K., Laviana, A. A., DeRosa, A. P., Beckermann, K. E., Rini, B. & Wallis, C. JD., Feb 2022, In: Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations. 40, 2, p. 64.e17-64.e24 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urolonc.2021.09.009
Association of Coronary Plaque with Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels and Rates of Cardiovascular Disease Events among Symptomatic Adults
Mortensen, M. B., Caínzos-Achirica, M., Steffensen, F. H., Bøtker, H. E., Jensen, J. M., Sand, N. P. R., Maeng, M., Bruun, J. M., Blaha, M. J., Sørensen, H. T., Pareek, M., Nasir, K. & Nørgaard, B. L., Feb 11 2022, In: JAMA Network Open. 5, 2, e2148139. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.48139
If you have a featured publication, for example on a journal cover, please let us know so we can include it in our next issue.
Funding Opportunities
Cockrell Center for Advanced Therapeutics Request for Proposals
Key Dates
Submission Deadline:
May 6, 2022, noon*
Committee Review:
June 2022
Award Announcement:
July 2022
Estimated Funding Start Date:
August 2022
The Cockrell Center for Advanced Therapeutics Clinical Research Unit is expanding its support of early phase translational clinical trials. This funding program aims to support innovation in biomedical research to advance improvements in patient care and to assist faculty in development of their inventions.
Applications for the Cockrell Center for Advanced Therapeutics must be submitted through the Houston Methodist Intramural portal. More details are provided in the Submission Guidelines section of this RFP. As a resource, Academic Affairs has created a webinar for using the portal, which can be viewed at Watch HM.
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Clinical Scientist Development Award 2022 Request for Applications
Key Dates
Full proposal deadline
March 11, 2022, 2 p.m.
Notice of Award
End of May 2022
Award Start Date
July 1, 2022
Please find additional details regarding this opportunity at the following link: https://www.ddcf.org/funding-areas/medical-research/clinical-scientist-development-award/
For assistance with the online application, please contact Catherine S. Del Paggio at csdelpaggio@houstonmethodist.org.
Houston Methodist Academic Institute Brown, Smith & Raymond EnMed Capstone Innovator Award Request for Applications
Houston Methodist is pleased to announce a new cycle for the Brown, Smith & Raymond EnMed Capstone Innovator Award Program. This prestigious extra-curricular activity, supported by donor and philanthropic gifts, will provide top EnMed students with an opportunity to conduct innovative research and technology development at Houston Methodist. Through the Capstone Program, EnMed students will be able to submit project proposals addressing specific Statements of Need for consideration. This request for applications solicits highly meritorious innovative, multidisciplinary, translational Capstone Projects for consideration for funding.
Key Dates
Submission Deadline:
May 20 at noon*
Committee Review:
June
Announcement of Award:
July
Estimated Funding Start Date:
July
Applications for the Brown, Smith & Raymond EnMed Capstone Innovator Award must be submitted through the Intramural Portal. A webinar and Q&A sessions will be held to help familiarize applicants and administrators with the submission portal. Webinar and Q&A dates are TBD. All sessions will be held via Microsoft Teams. Please reach out to Academic Affairs for meeting details.
Additionally, Academic Affairs has created a webinar for using the portal, which can be viewed here.
*All times CST
Houston Methodist Academic Institute President’s Awards Request For Nominations
The Houston Methodist Academic Institute announces the following six award opportunities.
Key Dates
Nominations Due:
March 24, 2022 at noon*
Awards Announced:
April 21, 2022 Town Hall
Applications for the President’s Award must be submitted through the Houston Methodist Intramural Portal. More details are provided in the Submission Guidelines section of this RFA. As a resource, Academic Affairs has created a webinar for using the portal, which can be viewed at Watch HM.
Pew Charitable Trusts 2023 Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences Request for Pre-Applications
Key Dates
Pre-Application Submission Deadline:
April 8, 2022 at noon*
Institutional Review:
April 2022
Decision Notification:
April/May 2022
Institutional Nomination Due to Pew:
May 18, 2022
The Pew Charitable Trusts has invited Houston Methodist Research Institute to submit one application to its Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences. This program supports assistant professors within their first 4 years of their appointment that show outstanding promise in science to advance human health. Strong proposals should incorporate particularly creative and pioneering approaches to basic, translational, and applied biomedical research. This program does not fund clinical trials research. For full eligibility criteria, please refer to the program website: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/pew-biomedical-scholars/program-details.
Academic Affairs is requesting pre-applications to be submitted by 12:00 PM CDT on April 8, 2022 via in the Houston Methodist Intramural Portal. As a resource, Academic Affairs has created a webinar for using the portal.
*All times CST
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