Vol. 31 | February 2024 – 6 minute read | |
Furthering Reproductive Biology Research for 50 Years | |
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In 1974, the Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences opened at UT Southwestern with the goal of promoting innovative, collaborative basic and translational research to improve women’s health.
The Center enabled partnerships between basic scientists and clinicians that have led to a myriad of discoveries ranging from a better understanding of cancer in women to the development of new drugs.
Initially, the focus of the Center included female biology, infant development, and labor and birth. But over the span of 50 years, it has expanded to include male reproductive physiology, gene regulation, and genomics. What started as a small group of dedicated individuals has since grown to 84 basic researchers, clinician scientists, trainees, and staff, with 10 core faculty members working under the leadership of W. Lee Kraus, Ph.D., Director of the Green Center since 2010.
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Today, the Green Center is committed to conducting leading-edge research on gene regulation while integrating basic, translational, and clinical research in reproduction and related areas of biology, including stem cells, immunology, and metabolism. | |
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29th Annual Texas Forum for Reproductive Sciences
Scientists from institutions across the region will come together to exchange ideas and insights about female and male reproductive science. The engaging program includes short talks and poster presentations delivered by students, fellows, and junior faculty members. Learn more.
- April 18 – 19, T. Boone Pickens Medical Education & Conference Center (NG3.112)
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Sherry C. Huang, M.D., is the new Vice Provost and Senior Associate Dean for Education. She joins us from Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences (RBHS), where she was Vice Chancellor for Graduate Medical Education and Enterprise-Wide Designated Institutional Official (DIO). She was also Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Gastroenterology at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
For more than two decades, Dr. Huang focused on cancer research and patient care while expanding her skill in education leadership during her tenure at University of California at San Diego (UCSD) and then RBHS.
As Vice Chancellor and DIO at RBHS, she was responsible for the executive leadership and management of an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Sponsoring Institution that spans two medical schools, 13 hospitals, 1,200 trainees, and 125 ACGME residency and fellowship programs – a portfolio that encompassed 70% of all Graduate Medical Education (GME) learners in the state of New Jersey.
Dr. Huang succeeds Charles Ginsburg, M.D., who served UT Southwestern most capably for 50 years, holding various leadership positions, including Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and, since 2016, Vice Provost and Senior Associate Dean for Education.
A nationally recognized medical educator, Dr. Huang will help chart the next era of education at UT Southwestern. Read more.
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TAMEST Recognizes Drs. DeBose-Boyd and Tagliabracci | |
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The Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science, and Technology (TAMEST) is honoring two of our faculty during its annual conference in Austin this week.
Russell DeBose-Boyd, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Genetics, was awarded the Hill Prize in Biological Sciences for his research into a key mechanism necessary for cholesterol control. The Hill Prize is a new award from TAMEST designed to accelerate high-risk, high-reward research ideas in Texas with significant potential for real-world impact.
Vincent Tagliabracci, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, received the 2024 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Biological Sciences for his contributions to broadening the understanding of pseudokinases, a family of enzymes once thought to be dead. The award recognizes researchers whose work meets the highest standards of exemplary professional performance, creativity, and resourcefulness.
Founded in 2004, TAMEST brings together the state’s brightest minds in medicine, engineering, science, and technology to foster collaboration and advance research, innovation, and business in Texas.
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New Department Chairs’ Reception
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On Jan. 24, W. P. Andrew Lee, M.D., Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Dean of the Medical School, hosted a reception to welcome Joseph F. Merola, M.D., M.M.Sc, Chair of the Department of Dermatology, and Martin G. Pomper, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Radiology.
From left: Dr. Merola converses with Kim Yancey, M.D., former Chair of Dermatology, and Carol Tamminga, M.D., Chair of Psychiatry; Dr. Lee, Dr. Pomper and Dr. Merola; Department of Radiology Faculty: Ananth Madhuranthakam, Ph.D., Li Liu, Ph.D., Dr. Pomper, and Waleed Abdellatif, M.D.
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Submit Your COI Statement of Financial Interest | |
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Each year, UT Southwestern faculty members, researchers, advanced practice providers, and others are required to complete a Conflict of Interest (COI) Statement of Financial Interests (“Statement”). The 2024 COI Statement disclosure period is open, and submissions must be completed by March 1.
You should have received an email announcement last month with instructions on how to complete the annual COI Training and submit the 2024 COI Statement. If you submitted a COI Statement last year, the information will be pre-populated.
For more information, email the COI Office or visit the Conflict of Interest page (VPN required).
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Department Chair and Center Director Survey | |
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The annual evaluation of Medical School chairs and center directors opens Feb. 9. Faculty in the Medical School will receive a REDCap survey to be completed by March 11.
To ensure confidentiality of respondents, the responses are filtered through the REDCap software. Comments at the end of the survey should be general in nature, avoiding information that may reveal the respondent's identity. Your feedback is valuable to help us track progress on priorities, operations, and areas of challenge.
Contact leadership evaluations should you have any questions or technical difficulties with the survey.
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Now Open: HHMI Hanna H. Gray Fellows Competition | |
Reminder: Apply for ARPA-H Research Funding | |
Important Dates and Upcoming Events | |
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Clinical Scholar Track Workshop
Join this interactive discussion of criteria evaluated for promotion in the Clinical Scholar Track, including research independence, national reputation, and teaching excellence.
President's Lecture Series
Steven Kliewer, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, will discuss his lab’s work studying the liver-produced hormone FGF21 and its therapeutic potential to treat alcohol poisoning and addiction.
Clinician-Educator/Clinician Track Workshop
Join this interactive discussion of criteria evaluated for promotion in the Clinician-Educator and Clinician Tracks, including research independence, national reputation, and teaching excellence.
Shine Academy Innovations Conference
This year's Shine Academy Innovations Conference explores “The Many Dimensions of Mentorship: Education, Career, Scholarship, Well-Being, and Beyond.”
Information Session: KL2 Scholar Program*
Learn about this two-year program designed for junior faculty who show great promise of becoming an independently-funded clinical and translational science investigator.
Spring Grant Writing Bootcamp: Master the R Series*
A four-part grant writing series designed for those preparing to write an R01 or similar submission for an upcoming grant deadline and the people who advise them will take place this March. UTSW employees who are current members of the Meg Bouvier Grant Writing Course Library can participate for free. View the session schedule and more information.
- March 1, 8, 15, and 22. Register to attend.
History of Women in Science and Medicine at UT Southwestern
The Women in Science and Medicine Advisory Committee (WISMAC) will host a lecture by IF/THEN Ambassadors and WISMAC Members Julie Mirpuri, M.D., and Danielle Robertson, O.D., Ph.D. followed by a poster session.
Save the Date: Faculty Wellness Retreat
This CME-certified program features interactive workshops on the topics of personal, professional, and system efficiency improvement.
Grant Writing Library*
UT Southwestern faculty members have free access to a grant writing library designed to help researchers in the process of securing National Institutes of Health funding.
*Sponsored by the UT Southwestern CTSA Program
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Staying Connected, Informed, and Involved | | | | |
