What's Up Research Newsletter
The Emory Department of Medicine Office of Research distributes a weekly "What's Up" research newsletter filled with useful information to help faculty members, postdoctoral fellows and other researchers in the department stay informed of helpful funding opportunities, events and announcements.
Highlighted Researcher
Katherine Baxter
1st Place Oral Presentation, 4th annual Health Services Research Day
What is your professional background?
I received my undergraduate degree in Biology and Marine Science at the University of Georgia. I then graduated from Emory University School of Medicine in 2013. During medical school, I also completed a Master of Science in Clinical Research at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health. I am currently a General Surgery resident at Emory and am finishing my first year of research sabbatical.
In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I work in the division of Pediatric Surgery, based at CHOA - Egleston. My primary mentor is Dr. Mehul Raval (Pediatrics).
Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
I conduct health services research that focuses on pediatric surgery and common problems within the field, such as appendicitis. I am interested in how children access surgical care and how the quality of that care can be improved through policy and the ground-level efforts of physicians. This research is very relevant given the current state of health care reform in the U.S.
What do you like most about Emory?
I love how people from different disciplines are able to easily collaborate. It's great to be around so many smart and enthusiastic minds.
What is your favorite movie or TV show?
My favorite TV show is Outlander.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
My spare time is spent running, hiking, attending live music, and chasing my 2-year-old daughter.
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Recent editions of "What's Up" Research Newsletters
If you have questions about content in prior research newsletters please review the archived newsletters below‚ If you do not find the information you are looking for please contact Jane Kuhlenbeck at DOMResearch@emory.edu.
June 20, 2017
June 13,2017
June 6, 2017
May 31, 2017
May 23, 2017
May 16, 2017
May 9, 2017
May 2, 2017
April 25, 2017
April 18, 2017
April 11, 2017
April 4, 2017
March 28, 2017
March 21, 2017
March 14, 2017
March 7, 2017
February 28, 2017
February 21, 2017
February 14, 2017
February 7, 2017
January 31, 2017
January 24, 2017
Recently highlighted researchers and research administrators
Byron AuYeung
What is your professional background?
I am an Assistant Professor in the Division of Rheumatology and the Lowance Center for Human Immunology. I received a PhD in Immunology from the University of Rochester and completed my postdoctoral training in the lab of Dr. Arthur Weiss at the University of California, San Francisco.
In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I work in the Division of Rheumatology, and my mentor is Dr. Inaki Sanz (Rheumatology/Immunology).
Briefly describe your research. Why it is important?
I am a cellular immunologist by training, and my interests include the complicated signals that activate T cells. We know most of the proteins involved in the process but know less about when or how much signaling is required for certain types of T cell immune responses. I have been working on methods to modulate T cell receptor signals and read out signal accumulation for T cells – processes similar to the brakes and odometer on a car. Ultimately, we want to better understand the signaling requirements for T cells, so we can design more targeted therapies for T cell response-driven autoimmune diseases.
What do you like most about Emory?
I like being surrounded by the many smart people here!
What is your favorite movie or TV show?
I love the Simpsons.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I grew up in Canada, so I enjoy watching or playing hockey when I can.
Taylor Melanson
2nd place poster presentation, 4th annual Health Services Research Day
What is your professional background?
I am a 4th-year PhD student in health services research and health policy with a concentration in health economics (Laney Graduate School). Before coming to Emory, I received a BA in economics and German from Washington & Lee University.
In which division do you work, and who is your mentor?
Since August of 2015, I have been working in the Emory Division of Transplantation with Dr. Rachel Patzer (Surgery/Renal Medicine).
Briefly describe your research. Why it is important?
My research focuses on access to care for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. ESRD affects almost 700,000 Americans, and, unfortunately, disparities can be seen at most, if not all, stages of care provision for these patients. I am particularly interested in the effect that policy can have in addressing disparities and improving access for disadvantaged patients. This work is important because so many people suffer from this disease and sub-optimal care decreases their quality of life and simultaneously creates a large financial burden on our health care system.
What do you like most about Emory?
Emory is an incredibly welcoming place, and I have found no shortage of talented and collaborative individuals who are interested in mentoring junior researchers. As someone who grew up outside of Boston, I am also a big fan of the weather here.
What is your favorite movie or TV show?
Game of Thrones is definitely my favorite TV show, and it's based on my favorite book series.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I try to take advantage of Atlanta's great weather and run or hike whenever I have the chance. I am also really into baking bread.
Wen Liu
Cecile Lahiri, MD, MSc (Infectious Diseases)
What is your professional background?
I am an assistant professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases, working with Dr. Igho Ofotokun. I received my MD from the University of North Carolina and completed my internal medicine and infectious diseases fellowship training at Emory. In 2013, I received a master of science in clinical research at Emory.
Briefly describe your research. Why it is important?
Despite combination antiretroviral therapy, HIV has not been eradicated, and emerging evidence suggests that multiple sites in the body act as reservoirs and play critical roles in viral persistence. My research focuses on evaluating barriers to HIV reservoir eradication, including pharmacologic barriers as well as host factors that may impact our ability to eliminate the virus. I am particularly interested in evaluating sex differences within these reservoir sites and how sex impacts the size and viral dynamics of reservoirs over time. Sex differences may influence reservoir characteristics and the host response to therapeutic interventions. Despite this, women continue to be largely underrepresented in HIV clinical cure studies despite accounting for more than 50% of HIV-infected persons worldwide. I plan to help fill this knowledge gap by prioritizing the enrollment of women in clinical studies so that curative interventions can have maximal impact on both sexes.
What do you like most about Emory?
Emory’s collegial environment and the enthusiastic approach to multidisciplinary collaboration is impressive.
What is your favorite movie or TV show?
I am fascinated by any show that involves spies, so “Homeland” and “The Americans” are two of my favorites!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to run, cook with my husband, explore hiking trails in North Georgia, and spend time with my 10-month-old daughter.
Wesley O’Neal, MD, MPH (Cardiology)
What is your professional background?
I am a fellow in the Division of Cardiology working with Viola Vaccarino. I also completed an MPH while in medical school.
Briefly describe your research. Why it is important?
My research focuses on the identification of novel risk factors for atrial fibrillation and examines the outcomes of those who have an arrhythmia. This work will help to better identify patients who are likely to develop atrial fibrillation and patients who will develop events related to the arrhythmia. Overall, my goal is to improve the care of patients with atrial fibrillation.
What do you like most about Emory?
Emory provides a very supportive environment to pursue my research interests.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy playing golf and running.
Kel Sheldon, PhD (Cardiology)
Emory’s campus is absolutely stunning.
My favorite movie is Coherence.
I am a postdoc, so my spare time is limited. When I do get a free second, I enjoy traveling.
What is your professional background?
I am a fellow in the Division of Cardiology working with Viola Vaccarino. I also completed an MPH while in medical school.
Briefly describe your research. Why it is important?
My research focuses on the identification of novel risk factors for atrial fibrillation and examines the outcomes of those who have an arrhythmia. This work will help to better identify patients who are likely to develop atrial fibrillation and patients who will develop events related to the arrhythmia. Overall, my goal is to improve the care of patients with atrial fibrillation.
What do you like most about Emory?
Emory provides a very supportive environment to pursue my research interests.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy playing golf and running.
Christina Shuman
Christina is the new program coordinator supporting Kathy Griendling, PhD, vice chair of research and faculty development for the Department of Medicine. Most recently, she worked at Emory Law supporting the vice dean, associate dean of academic affairs, and the executive assistant to the dean. Along with supporting Dr. Griendling and other initiatives in the Division of Cardiology, Christina will
support various faculty development and research efforts, including the Clinical Distinctions Program, Research Resources 101 workshops, and the career conference and performance review process. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two children.
Andrew Rahmberg
Andrew is a postdoctoral fellow working in Paul Johnson's lab at Yerkes National Primate Research Center. He moved to Emory after completing a PhD in virology at Harvard University in 2016. His research focuses on using gene expression to differentiate cells that can be infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), a close relative of HIV. He has identified characteristics that differ between individual cells that are either infected or uninfected, and he is now seeking to better define these novel cell populations. In his free time, Andrew enjoys managing fantasy sports teams, reading science fiction, and backpacking with his wife.
Dr. Wang is an assistant professor in the Division of Cardiology. He received his PhD in Developmental Biology at the Chinese Academy of Science and completed his postdoctoral research training with Dr. Kenneth Poss at Duke University. His broad research goal is to understand how regenerative responses to injury have been optimized in non-mammalian vertebrates like zebrafish in order to identify potential targets that are responsible for regenerative deficiencies in mammals. The coronary vasculature supplies oxygen and nutrients to a large region of myocardium, and re-vascularization is considered an important step for heart recovery. Adult zebrafish have a dense coronary vasculature, and regenerated myofibers become re-vascularized in a few weeks. Using this model, Dr. Wang investigates the molecular mechanisms of coronary re-vascularization during heart regeneration by utilizing genetic manipulation and live imaging techniques. His results will provide insights into the cardiac repair process in mammals. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, hiking, tennis, fishing and swimming.
Kiyoko Takemiya, MD, PhD (Cardiology)
Dr. Takemiya joined Emory from Kurume University in Japan. She recently received an American Heart Association Scientist Development grant to support her research on the detection of bacterial infections associated with medical devices. Currently, the diagnosis of device infection is made based on symptoms or clinical signs, and when it is diagnosed, the infection has already expanded and damaged the surrounding tissue. Dr. Takemiya’s work aims to detect infection in the very early stages with no clinical signs or symptoms, which will help to improve the prognosis of patients and to reduce unnecessary surgeries.
To detect small amount of bacteria, Dr. Takemiya’s team focused on the differences in sugar metabolism between bacteria and mammalian cells. Maltodextrin, a kind of sugar, is used by bacteria as a major energy source through the “maltodextrin transporter,” but cannot be internalized by mammalian cells. The maltodextrin transporter is large enough to pass an imaging probe conjugated with maltodextrin or its analogue, leading to accumulation in bacteria, and allowing sensitive and specific detection of bacteria. Dr. Takemiya uses rat models to test these maltodextrin and maltodextrin analogue-based imaging probes for near infrared imaging and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to detect the existence of bacteria. In her free time, Dr. Takemiya enjoys cooking, reading, playing with jigsaw puzzles, and crafting.
Qian “Elsie” Xu (Cardiology)
Qian (Elsie) Xu is a visiting Chinese medical student who came to Emory to conduct biomedical research as part of Emory’s partnership with Xiangya School of Medicine, one of China’s leading medical programs. She decided to work in Dr. Kathy Griendling‘s research group because they investigate the role of reactive oxygen species in smooth muscle function and the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of vascular disease. Elsie is studying the redox-regulation of actin cytoskeleton in vascular smooth muscle cell attachment while also exploring the underlying redox signaling pathway during cell adhesion. After completing her research project at Emory, Elsie will return to China to complete her MD. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, her favorite activity; she also enjoys cooking, watching movies, and playing the ukulele.
Boghuma Titanji (MD, MSc, DTM&H, PhD)
Alexis Bender, PhD (General Medicine and Geriatrics)
Brandi Wynne, PhD (Renal Medicine)
Dr. Brandi M. Wynne is an instructor of medicine in the Division of Renal Medicine with a background in cardio-renal physiology and pharmacology. Previously, Dr. Wynne was a postdoctoral fellow under Dr. Robert Hoover, where she focused on the hormonal regulation of the sodium chloride cotransporter (NCC) and the epithelial sodium channel. Her current research investigates the role of inflammation in the etiology of salt-sensitive hypertension. Hypertensive patients frequently have a normal level of aldosterone, the main ligand for the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), which regulates sodium transport proteins in the distal nephron. However, these patients often have indices of aldosterone excess and respond positively to MR antagonists, suggesting that there are alternative mechanisms of MR activation. Dr. Wynne’s research has shown that interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a role in this process. She recently discovered that IL-6 transactivates the MR, leading to activation of the NCC. Understanding how renal-specific immune cells and cytokines regulate sodium homeostasis is the focus of her NIH NIDDK K01 application. In her spare time, Dr. Wynne enjoys the arts, politics, and traveling as much as possible.
Samantha M. Yeligar, MS, PhD (Pulmonary)
Colleen Kelley, MD, MPH (Infectious Diseases)
Marina Hernandes, PhD (Cardiology)
Yang Xie (Renal Medicine)
Yang Xie is a visiting medical student in her 8th year from Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, China; her school is the second oldest medical school in China. She is conducting research in the Renal Division under the guidance of Dr. Russ Price. Her interest in nephrology and the consequences of chronic kidney disease (CKD) began during her 5th year of clinical medicine. Muscle atrophy is a common problem in CKD patients and diabetic patients who frequently develop nephropathy. While at Emory, Yang is investigating a new signaling pathway that contributes to the expression of myostatin, a myokine that contributes to skeletal muscle loss by altering insulin signaling and increasing the expression of proteins that disrupt muscle proteostasis. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and painting.
Melissa Stevens, MD (Hospital Medicine)
Dr. Stevens won the 2016 Top Overall Research Prize for her abstract and oral presentation, entitled “EQUiPPED Expansion: Results from a multi-site quality improvement initiative to change prescribing practices in VA Medical Center Emergency Departments (EDs).” Out of 141 abstracts submitted to the 9th annual Department of Medicine Research Day, Dr. Stevens’ abstract and oral presentation scores ranked the highest. As the prize recipient, she will receive $1,000 to be used toward research costs. Read more about the EQUiPPED project on the Department of Medicine’s blog, Emory Daily Pulse.
Clintoria Williams, PhD (Renal Medicine)
Dr. Williams is a renal physiologist in the Division of Renal Medicine. Her research interest focuses on the pathophysiology of kidney disease. Her work has identified a key functional difference in the isoforms of calcineurin, a family of ubiquitous calcium-dependent phosphatases. These enzymes contribute to the regulation of sodium channels in the distal nephron of the kidney and subsequently blood pressure homeostasis. Notably, patients that take calcineurin inhibitors for immunosuppression frequently develop hypertension. Since current drugs that inhibit calcineurin do not discriminate between the isoforms of the enzyme, there is an opportunity to refine pharmacological interventions to selectively target calcineurin isoform(s) implicated in the immune system versus isoform(s) involved in sodium regulation by the kidney. Recently, Dr. Williams received American Heart Association funding on her project, entitled “Selective regulation of distal nephron sodium handling by calcineurin isoforms.” In her free time, she serves as a motivational speaker, life coach, personal chef, and chauffeur to her children.
Learn more about Dr. Williams’ work at the 9th annual Department of Medicine Research Day on Friday, 10/28 in the Cox Hall Ballroom, where she will present "NADPH oxidase-2 mediates zinc deficiency-induced oxidative stress and kidney damage."
S. Kusuma Pokala (Medical Student)
Brandon Johnson (Cardiology)
Madeleine Hackney, PhD (General Medicine and Geriatrics)
Dr. Hackney’s DREAMS (Developing a Research Participation Enhancement and Advocacy Training Program for Diverse Seniors) project grew out of an ongoing problem in clinical research. Older adults with low socioeconomic status and/or from racial or ethnic minority populations are historically underrepresented in research because of multiple barriers, including distrust of the research community, difficulties with access, ageism, health literacy challenges, and strict trial inclusion criteria. To help break down the existing barriers and build relationships with these underrepresented populations, Dr. Hackney decided to use the tango to treat mobility problems in people with Parkinson’s disease. While some of the participants danced, those assigned to the control group attended educational sessions on various health issues. The interactive educational sessions were so popular, both with learners and the teachers, that Dr. Hackney suspected they could serve to bring together a group of diverse seniors for the DREAMS project. Funding from the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) gave her the chance to empirically demonstrate her theory. Read more on the Department of Medicine's blog, Emory Daily Pulse, and in a recent feature inAtlanta Magazine. (Photo credit: Kaylinn Gilstrap, Atlanta Magazine.)
Robert Hoover Jr., MD (Renal Medicine)
Dr. Hoover is an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Renal Medicine who studies the regulation of thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride (rNCC) cotransporters in various models of hypertension. His lab currently examines the intracellular mechanisms by which aldosterone and angiotensin regulate rNCC with the goal of increasing our understanding of the mechanisms that cause hypertension. This knowledge will hopefully lead to improved treatment and quality of life for patients affected by kidney disorders. Read more…
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