|
Announcements
February 14, 2008
Dr. Bonnie Wakefield was chosen to deliver a plenary presentation at the VA Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) National meeting on February 14, 2008, in Baltimore, MD. Her presentation entitled, "A Comparison of Low- and High-intensity Monitoring in Veterans with Co-morbid Diabetes and Hypertension" represented the result of research that she conducted in collaboration with the Iowa City, IA, VA HSR&D Center for Research in the Implementation of Innovative Strategies in Practice. The study compared the effects of a high-intensity intervention, a low-intensity intervention, and usual care on blood pressure control, diabetes control, and medication adherence. One of the study's findings was that a high-intensity intervention resulted in improved blood pressure control when compared to a low-intensity intervention or usual care. Plenary presentations represent the five highest-rated abstracts submitted to the VA HSR&D meeting nationwide, so being chosen to present at the plenary session is quite an honor and indicative of the highest-quality research. Congratulations to Dr. Wakefield! Link to abstract: http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/meetings/2008/display_abstract.cfm?RecordID=33
The manuscript entitled "[Cu-64-NOTA-8-Aoc-BBN(7-14)NH2] targeting vector for positron-emission tomography imaging of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor- expressing tissues" authored by Adam Prasanphanich, Prasant Nanda, Tammy Rold, Lixin Ma, Michael R. Lewis, Jered C. Garrison, Timothy J. Hoffman, Gary L. Sieckman, Said D. Figueroa, and Charles J. Smith. (PNAS, July 24, 2007), was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. Dr. Charles J. Smith is a VA Research Scientist at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital studying radiopharmaceutical development including isotope processing and purification, tracer level and macroscopic metallation of small ligand frameworks and various bioconjugates, and in vitro and in vivo diagnotic/terapeutic radiopharmaceutical applications. Congratulations to Dr. Smith! http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/104/30/12462
November 8, 2006
 The manuscript entitled "Inhibition of Spontaneous Breast Cancer Metastasis by Anti-Thomsen-Friedenreich Antigen Monoclonal Antiboy JAA-F111" authored by Heimburg, J., Yan, J. Morey, S., Wild, L., Glinskii, O.V., Huxley, V.H., Klick, R., Roy, R., Glinsky, V.V., and Rittenhouse-Olson, K. (Neoplasia, 8: 939-948, 2006), was recently featured on the cover of the journal Neoplasia: International Journal for Oncology Research. Dr. Glinsky is a VA Research Scientist at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital studying molecular and cellular mechanisms of cancer metastasis. The results described in the manuscript demonstrate that TF-Ag plays an important role in primary steps of breast and prostate cancer metastases by mediating adhesive interactions between metastatic cells and the endothelium. Blocking TF-Ag with JAA-F11 antibody inhibits the stable adhesion of human breast carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo.
Congratulations to Dr. Glinsky!
Link to abstract of article: http://www.neoplasia.com/abstract.php?msid=965
Link to full article: http://www.neoplasia.com/pdf/manuscript/neo06493.pdf
May 16, 2007  Adam Prasanphanich, an undergraduate student in chemistry, biology, and mathematics from the University of Missouri-Columbia was chosen to present his research on Capitol Hill at the 11th annual Undergraduate Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Posters on the Hill event on April 25th. Adam was chosen from a pool of 276 national applicants; only 65 posters were chosen to be presented. Posters on the Hill is designed to help members of Congress understand the importance of funding undergraduate research by talking directly with the students about science and science education programs. The mission of the CUR is to support and promote high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship. Posters on the Hill is a competitive event organized by the Council on Undergraduate Research, a prestigious national organization that promotes undergraduate research opportunities at the national level. CUR selected the 65 participants based on research abstracts submitted by students from colleges and universities nationwide in areas related to the sciences and social sciences. Subject areas showcased at Posters on the Hill spanned seven disciplinary divisions: biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, mathematics/computer science, physics/astronomy and psychology. Students and their faculty mentors attended an orientation session in the morning, followed by visits to their Representatives and Senators' offices. Most of the legislators engaged the students from their districts in extended discussions about the students’ work. Many viewed several posters, talking to students outside of their district as well. It is increasingly important that the scientific community works to ensure that those in the U.S. Congress who provide funding for science and science education have a clear understanding of the programs they fund and why these programs are important. Undergraduate research must be among those programs that members of Congress understand if it is to continue to be supported.
On an annual basis, VISN 15 sends out a request for proposals for new research investigators. Of the four VISN 15-wide awards funded, HSTMVH Research Service received two. Research Service is pleased to announce that the two receiving these new investigator awards are:
Dr. Said Diabes Figueroa, Department of Radiology, a new employee in Research Service in the Biomolecular Imaging Center (BIC), directed by Dr. Timothy Hoffman. Dr. Diabes Figueroa's VISN 15 Research Award focuses on enhancing scanning imagery for the detection of primary and metastatic cancer. His expertise using micro-imaging instrumentation will enhance Research Services' Radiopharmaceutical Program by developing new high resolution medical imaging techniques that will be used in the veteran population.
Dr. Suzanne Boren, Department of Health Management and Informatics, is also a new employee in Research Service's Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Program, directed by Dr. Bonnie Wakefield. Dr. Boren's VISN 15 Research Award focuses on starting an evidence-based informational intervention to support self-care behaviors and long-term improved health status for veterans that have chronic disease. Chronic disease management and the implementation of patient-centered care models are a high priority with the veteran population because of the distance traveled by the veteran population.
Both Drs. Diabes Figueroa and Boren are a welcome addition to Research Service and Congratulations to both for receiving these competitive awards!
VISN-15 Research Day
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs celebrated National VA Research Week May 7-13, 2006. As part of this nationwide observance, the St. Louis VA Medical Center hosted a Midwest Wide Research on Friday, May 12, 2006, at its John Cochran Division. This special research day focused on health services research and brought together investigators from the Kansas City, St. Louis, and Columbia VA Medical Centers and colleagues from St. Louis and Washington Universities.
This event called attention to the achievements of VA researchers and the role they play in providing high quality care for veterans and advancing medical science. It was an opportunity to educate veterans, the public, and the media about the research at VA medical centers and its impact on treating and preventing diseases and disabilities.
Mr. Glen Struchtemeyer, St. Louis VAMC Director, began the program with an opening ceremony followed by presentations by Health Services Researchers from across the Midwest. Guest speaker, Dr. Shirley Meehan, Acting Director, Department of Veterans Affairs HSR&D, made a formal presentation. Presentations were also made by Dr. Kenneth Grasing, M.D., ACOS/R&D, KC VAMC; Jeanne Hayes, Ph.D., KC VAMC; Melisa Rempfer, Ph.D., KC VAMC; Dean Reker, Ph.D., Health Services Researcher, KC VAMC; Tom Burroughs, Ph.D., Director, St. Louis University; Sue Boren, Ph.D., MHA, HSTMVH; Karen Smarr, Ph.D., HSTMVH; and Jay McDonald, M.D., St. Louis VAMC.
Telemedicine Research Agenda adopted by ATA
The American Telemedicine Association's Board of Directors recently adopted a "research Agenda" for telemedicine and telehealth. This agenda provides research guidance to further support and promote the long-term acceptance and use of telemedicine and telehealth. It is intended to be used by foundations, federal agencies, academic institutions and others involved in funding and conducting research.
The Agenda was developed by a task force of ATA members chaired by Elizabeth Kurpinski, PhD. Other members of the task force included Susan Dimmick, PhD; Jim Grigsby, PhD; Greg Mogel, MD; Dena Puskin, ScD; Stuart Speedie, PhD; Beth Stamm, PhD; Bonnie Wakefield, PhD; John Whited, MD; Pamela Whitten, PhD; Peter Yellowlees, MD. A summary of the Agenda is available as well as the full Research Agenda.
|
