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Dear Colleagues
One of the hallmarks of the University of Minnesota is our long tradition of interdisciplinary health research. With twenty-four interdisciplinary centers and with schools and colleges of dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and veterinary medicine, we are one of the most comprehensive academic health centers in the country. We encourage and support faculty to cross interdisciplinary boundaries to explore new ways of understanding health and new ways of translating our research discoveries into new treatments and cures. A recent CBS News segment shows that the University of Minnesota and its patients are seeing the benefits of this approach.
In a very positive Early Show feature, CBS highlighted research between College of Veterinary Medicine and Medical School researchers – research resulting in positive outcomes for both animal and human patients.
John Ohlfest, head of the Neurosurgery Gene Therapy Program at Masonic Cancer Center, worked with Elizabeth Pluhar, a veterinary surgeon, to develop a combination treatment plan for dogs with glioma, an aggressive and relatively common form of brain cancer. The treatment, now available to other dogs with brain cancer, has dramatically extended the lives of our canine patients.
Chris Moertel, head of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Program, then worked with both to take the treatment to human patients in 2010, and the U of M is now treating humans with similar brain tumors as their canine counterparts. Such collaboration between seemingly unrelated areas of expertise is positive proof that our inter-professional approaches can – and do – pay off.
– Aaron Friedman, M.D.
Vice President for Health Sciences and Dean of the Medical School
Congratulations
Brent Larson, D.D.S., M.S.
School of Dentistry
Appointed chief consultant to the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General for the specialty of orthodontics.
Steven Miles, M.D.
Center for Bioethics
Received the Maas Family Endowed Chair in Bioethics and a "Champions of Care" award from the Fairview Foundation. Learn more
Jim Swift, D.D.S.
School of Dentistry
Received the William Gies Foundation Award at the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Annual Meeting.
Ken Baker, Ph.D., Yasushi Nakagawa, M.D., Ph.D., Gulin Oz, Ph.D., and A. David Redish, Ph.D. (Medical School): inaugural recipients of the 2011 Winston and Maxine Wallin Neuroscience Discovery Fund.
Zigang Dong, M.D., Dr.P.H. (Masonic Cancer Center): received the Ohdang Award by the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea and Professor Sangsup Lee.
Beth Virnig, Ph.D. (Masonic Cancer Center): will serve on the provisional committee of the Institute of Medicine's Shipboard Hazard and Defense II activity.
Kathleen Brooks, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.A. (Medical School): appointed vice chair of Stratis Health Board of Directors.
Holly Stessman (Ph.D. candidate in the Microbiology Immunology and Cancer Biology Program): won the Blue Ribbon at 10th Annual Life Science Alley Conference and Expo.
Carol Lange, Ph.D. (Masonic Cancer Center): received the Laureate Award from the Endocrine Society.
Helen Michael, D.V.M. (College of Veterinary Medicine resident): received the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology Young Investigator Award.
Fang Yu, Ph.D., G.N.P.-B.C., R.N. (School of Nursing): received the Springer Award in Geriatric/Gerontologic Nursing. Learn more
Opportunities
Center for Bioethics offers new course
Interested in exploring the moral and ethical questions in the evolving relationships between humans and animals? Then sign up for Topics or Advanced Topics in Bioethics - Animal Ethics (offered at the 5000 or 8000 class level) in the spring of 2012. Learn more about that course and others offered by the Center for Bioethics.
Scholarship opportunity for first-year School of Public Health students
The Lowell and Leslie Kruse Scholarship for Integrative Cross-Sector Healthy Communities Leadership will award three students with scholarships valued up to $15,000 each. Deadline: Jan. 1, 2012. Learn more
Registration open: Basic and Advanced Case Management: Tools for the Test and the Task
This course provides basic and advanced practical information, useful tools and skills for effective case management. Topics include assessment, setting and prioritizing goals, planning and communicating effectively and clearly. Learn more
Call for proposals: Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment, and the Life Sciences
Awards will be given to graduate and professional students, as well as consortium and joint degree program members. Proposals should address the societal implications of problems in health, environment or the life sciences. Deadline: Feb. 13. Learn more
Request for Applications: summer training opportunity for health sciences students
The Clinical and Translational Science Institute is accepting applications for the 2012 Summer Advanced Research Program. Learn more
Clinical Research Ethics Consultation Service now available at CTSI
In cooperation with the Center for Bioethics, the Clinical and Translational Science Institute established a Clinical Research Ethics Consultation Service, which provides those involved in human subject research a structured approach for identifying, analyzing and resolving ethical issues. Learn more
Center for Spirituality & Healing selected as site for international Dalai Lama Fellows program
This $10,000 Fellowship carries the personal authorization and involvement of the Dalai Lama, and the outcome will be the advancement of youth leadership and action in addressing major and persistent global challenges. All U of M students welcomed to apply. Deadline: Jan 2, 2012. Learn more
News
Health care abroad
Twenty-five U of M undergrads will embark on a rare learning adventure to Mysore, India from Dec. 26 to Jan. 14, 2011. During that time, the students will study health care and public health through the lens of a developing urban center. Learn more
U of M researchers find youth sports alone can't combat adolescent obesity
Research from School of Public Health researchers has found nearly half of overweight adolescents ages 12 to 17 also participate in organized physical activities. Learn more
Decade of Discovery launches Facebook page
The Decade of Discovery is built on the research strengths of the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics. Stay up-to-date on its goals to prevent, optimally treat and ultimately cure type 1 and type 2 diabetes by "Like-ing" us on Facebook.
For smokers looking to quit, a chronic disease management approach may be key
A chronic disease management approach including continued counseling and nicotine replacement therapy may increase the odds that current smokers will quit the habit, according to Medical School cancer prevention experts. Learn more
State-of-the-art CT scanner installed in Veterinary Medical Center
A 64-slice CT scanner was recently installed in the Veterinary Medical Center. The Toshiba Aquilion 64 provides increased speed of scanning, higher accuracy and greater diagnostic capabilities, which allows for real-life, three-dimensional views of patient anatomy.
School of Public Health hosts Virtual Preview Day
Nearly 50 prospective students attended Virtual Preview Day, and many attendees were from outside Minnesota and the United States. Recruitment Director Maggie Aftahi said the number of virtual attendees surpassed the number of people who attend on-campus preview day events, and the school plans to host more.
Exercise is superior to angioplasty in improving outcomes for PAD patients
Supervised exercise may yield better improvements in walking outcomes when compared with placing stents in patients with peripheral artery disease, according to research released at the American Heart Association's annual scientific conference. Learn more
Events
Tailoring of Health Communications: Does Ethic Identify Matter
9 - 10 a.m., Dec. 16, Room 105, 717 Building
November 2
Stress Busters
noon -1 p.m., every Tuesday, Mayo Meditation Space, 3rd floor, Mayo Memorial Building
November 2
Deinard Memorial Lecture on Law & Medicine
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Jan 25, Cowles Auditorium, Hubert H. Humphrey Center
Working on Purpose Day-long Workshop
9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Feb. 24, University of Minnesota Campus
In the spotlight
Understanding teeth
Gaining a better understanding of a tooth's structure and studying the body's chewing mechanisms might sound fundamental, but researchers quickly point out they still have a lot to learn. Learn more
A showroom for innovative education
Mayo D327 is no ordinary classroom. Gone are the podium and rows of tables and chairs—and along with them, the lecture-and-notes model of education that traditionally was found there. Learn more
SPH professor helps orphans get critical nutrition
Epidemiology professor John Himes has spent more than four decades helping vulnerable children receive adequate nutrition. Without the right nutrients for brain and body development, children may never catch up to their peers. Learn more
Wallin Discovery Fund supports U of M neuroscience researchers
Four University of Minnesota neuroscience researchers received a beneficial boost to their work when the Wallin Discovery Fund awards its first group of recipients at a ceremony at McNamara Alumni Center. Learn more
The dangers of holiday drinking
As holiday parties continue to ramp-up this season, so will the number of opportunities to consume alcohol. While most adults over the age of 21 have a general idea of how to safely consume, holidays can pose a greater risk to overindulge. Learn more
Time Capsule
An international veterinarian
Learn about a U of M veterinarian whose career included work in Korea, Columbia and Iran. Learn more
