CICATS’s Pipeline Programs

April 11, 2016

I am happy to report the Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (CICATS) has been successful in creating novel pipeline programs, including the M1 Mentoring Program and the Young Innovative Investigator Program (YIIP), which are increasing diversity among academic scientists and physicians. These programs also address health disparities with the goal of improving community health outcomes. On April 5, Dr. Linda Barry, assistant director of CICATS and director of the YIIP program, did a segment on Philadelphia’s WURD 900AM’s “The MOJO with Stephanie Renee.” During the interview, Dr. Barry shared details of the YIIP program for biomedical scientists, stressing the need for more students of color to pursue research to cure diseases rooted in the Black community. Listen to the full interview.

I strongly believe the YIIP program, coupled with the commitment and drive of our scholars, has provided them the opportunity to takes steps towards their futures becoming the next generation of scientists and physicians. We have announced a call for applications for YIIP Scholars for the upcoming 2016-2017 academic year. The submission deadline is Monday, April 25 with the selected YIIP Scholars being announced in early May. For more information about YIIP, please contact Lana Angelo, YIIP Program Coordinator at langelo@uchc.edu.

Healthcare and Science Stars of Tomorrow

April 8, 2016

On March 12th, I gave the keynote speech at the 4th Annual Healthcare and Science Stars of Tomorrow Career symposium sponsored by the T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society (TLJMS) at in Rivera Beach, FL. My talk focused on choosing careers in the various fields in healthcare and the sciences. This symposium attracted more than 800 ethnically diverse students from throughout Palm Beach County who came together with many healthcare and science professionals for career exploration. Thanks to Dr. Roger Duncan, TLJMS Board President, for inviting me. It was a great pleasure working with young people in Florida.

Convergence Workshop in Washington, DC

April 6, 2016

Convergence workshop in Washington, DC As part of the Convergence: The Future of Health Workshop, I contributed some remarks to the “Challenges in Funding Convergence” panel held in Washington DC on March 25th. During this section, I discussed about my experiences finding funding for engineering research in the biomedical sciences. I shared some success stories from individuals in the Institute for Regenerative Engineering which focused on how engineers and physicists receive funding from federal agencies, as well as how they were treated by peer review at federal funding sources. I also provided several recommendations as to how the funding and review system could be changed to better include engineers and physicists who conduct convergence research.

My mentor, Dr. Robert Langer of MIT, started the session with some information about funding sources for convergent biomedical research with an emphasis on engineers, and also recalled his efforts funding his research over the years.

Thanks to Dr. Kate Stoll, Senior Policy Advisor of MIT’s Washington office, for inviting me.

Kavli Distinguished Lectureship in Materials Science

I was honored to present the 2016 Fred Kavli Distinguished Lectureship in Materials Science and plenary speech at the Material Research Society (MRS) meeting in Phoenix, AZ. My talk, “Regenerative Engineering—Convergence Built Upon Materials Science,” highlighted the importance of convergence research as illustrated by some of our latest research on the HEAL Project. Many thanks to the MRS for inviting me to speak. I also want to thank the Kavli Foundation for supporting the lectureship.

During the meeting, I also gave a brief interview with MRS TV, below:

Honored to Speak at Carnegie Mellon University

March 18, 2016

On March 1st, it was a privilege to speak at Carnegie Mellon University as part of the Biomedical Engineering Seminar Series. My talk, “Regenerative Engineering: The Future of Tissue Regeneration,” highlighted the importance of convergence research as illustrated by some of our latest work on the HEAL Project. I also discussed the important role of biomaterials in regenerative engineering. I am so grateful to both the Biomedical Engineering department and the university for inviting me to speak. Thanks to Kathy Samuels who coordinated my visit and to all in attendance!

The 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut 2015

It was truly an honor to have been recognized by the NAACP, an organization that has been at the forefront of the fight for equality in our country. The Connecticut chapter of the NAACP has been honoring the state’s most influential blacks since 2009. The ceremony was held in Stamford during the 50th NAACP State. The event’s keynote speaker was U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings. I am honored to be named on a list alongside so many distinguished and accomplished men and women. I will continue working to make a difference in the lives of African Americans in the areas of education, health disparities, and other issues.

Dr. Lakshmi Nair Receives New Grant Award

March 14, 2016

Congratulations to Dr. Nair of the Institute for Regenerative Engineering. In collaboration with Dr. Regina Landesberg of the Department of Craniofacial Sciences at UConn Health, she has received one of seven Research and Education Funding awards from the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation. The Foundation supports novel research on maxillofacial surgery. Dr. Nair and Dr. Landesberg’s project focuses on the development of injectable platelet rich plasma delivery systems for craniofacial tissue regeneration. Congratulations to both of them on funding for this exciting project.

Prism

March 11, 2016

I am very honored to have been featured in “Grow Your Own” in the December 2015 issue of Prism magazine. I had the pleasure of discussing the HEAL Project with Prism’s team. Please check out the article at http://www.asee-prism.org/up-close-dec-3/.

Prism is the American Society for Engineering Education’s award-winning publication. The popular magazine covers engineering in higher education throughout the United States. The magazine is read reaches engineering faculty members, administrators, and students in all disciplines of engineering. Thank you to Mary Lord, the deputy editor of Prism as well as Prism’s editorial team for featuring me.

Professor Edward Botchwey Inaugurates the HEAL Project Seminar Series

March 9, 2016

On February 18, we were honored to have Edward Botchwey, associate professor of biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech, as the first speaker in the HEAL Seminar Series. Dr. Botchwey delivered a talk entitled “Engineering Immunologically Smart Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine.”

Ed was one of my graduate students at Drexel who later moved with me to the University of Virginia. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2002. After completing a United Negro College Fund/Merck sponsored postdoctoral fellowship at the Wistar Institute, he became an associate professor in the both biomedical engineering and orthopaedic surgery at the University of Virginia. In 2009, Ed was selected by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to receive the 2009 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). It is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.

The Botchwey Laboratory at Georgia Tech takes a multidisciplinary approach for the improvement of tissue engineering therapies through study of microvascular remodeling, inflammation resolution, and host stem cells.

We look forward to bringing other innovative research leaders to speak as part of this seminar series here at UConn Health.

CICATS Celebrates Excellence in Research

February 16, 2016

CICATS Celebrates Excellence in Research

CICATS Celebrates Excellence in Research Last month, the Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (CICATS) held its first annual “Celebration of Excellence in Research” for its 17 Core Interest Groups (CIGs).

CIGs were developed to promote collaborative, transdisciplinary research. The CIG concept clearly accommodates the goal of disease-agnostic research, allowing the spontaneous formation of new research enterprises. Investigators from all partnering institutions are encouraged to be a part of CIGs. Current CIG research activities focus on a range of basic, clinical, and translational initiatives on: aging, biomedical engineering, multidisciplinary obesity research, cancer prevention, mental health, cardiovascular diseases, drug discovery, correctional health research, e-health and m-health technologies, injury prevention, stroke and cerebrovascular diseases, occupational safety and health, personalized immunotherapy, musculoskeletal research, sickle cell disease, women’s cancer, and health disparities.

The event celebrated and showcased the work and success of each CIGs, providing an opportunity for faculty and community-based organizations to network for collaborative research projects. It also included brief overviews of research project by CIG researchers and poster displays.

This was a very happy occasion to celebrate our researchers and the remarkable growth they have achieved thus far and will continue to achieve. These programs would not have been possible and successful without the support of our faculty, partners, affiliates, administrators and most importantly, the Connecticut Legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus.