DEAN'S LIST: September 6, 2022

September 6, 2022

Kinnear named an ABMS Visiting Scholar for 2022-2023

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has selected Benjamin Kinnear, MD, associate professor in the departments of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, as a Visiting Scholar for 2022-2023. The one-year, part-time Visiting Scholars Program supports early-career physicians and researchers in scholarship and leadership development focusing on physician assessment in initial and continuing board certification.

ABMS Visiting Scholars are selected based on the quality of their proposed research project, the relevance of their research to the ABMS mission and the certification community, and the likelihood of making substantial progress on the project during the scholar year. Focused areas of interest for the certification community include diagnostic accuracy, competency-based medical education and assessment, equity and diversity in health care, and quality improvement.

Kinnear’s project is titled “Examining the Nature of Validity Argumentation in Health Professions Education Assessment” and is sponsored by the ABMS Research and Education Foundation. The aim of Kinnear’s Visiting Scholar project is to explore the attitudes and beliefs of validity scholars and competency-based medical education (CBME) stakeholders about the nature of argumentation in assessment validity. Kinnear says that CBME requires well-developed assessment systems that contribute to defensible decisions about learner readiness for practice.

Tachinardi appointed interim chair of Biomedical Informatics

Umberto Tachinardi, MD (pictured), has been named interim chair of the Department of Biomedical Informatics, effective Sept. 1, by Andrew T. Filak Jr., MD, senior vice president for health affairs and Christian R. Holmes Professor and Dean.

Tachinardi came to Cincinnati on June 1 as chief health digital officer, associate dean for health informatics and professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at the College of Medicine and as vice president and chief health digital officer for UC Health.

Mario Medvedovic, PhD, who has served as interim chair of the department since February 2020, will return to his activities as professor in the Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences and as director of the Center for Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Services.

>> Read the Aug. 31 announcement

Three from Internal Medicine achieve CCRP certification

Three staff members from the Department of Internal Medicine regulatory unit have obtained their Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) certification from the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA).

Amber Crowther (pictured, left), clinical research professional, Romana Saeed (pictured, center), clinical research professional, and Helen Shelton (pictured, right), clinical research manager, all passed the SOCRA examination to receive certification.

SOCRA established the CCRP certification program for clinical research professionals to create an internationally accepted standard of knowledge, education and experience by which clinical research professionals will be recognized by the clinical research community.

Crosby selected for Leadership Cincinnati Class 46

Paul Crosby, MD, Class of 2001, associate professor and executive vice chair in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience and president and chief executive officer of the Lindner Center of HOPE, has been named to Leadership Cincinnati Class 46.

Fifty-three local executives make up the latest class of the leadership development program by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce. Those selected will be part of a months-long course designed to boost their leadership skill and further engage them with the community.

“Individuals who are members of the Leadership Cincinnati class are accepting another level of accountability and responsibility for this community,” says Sean Comer, vice president of the chamber's Leadership Center. “If you look at cohorts from 25-plus years ago, you will find people who still hold key leadership roles in this community today and who have changed the face of our region.”

Understanding breast cancer recurrence, metastatic spread

College of Medicine faculty researchers are studying the biology of breast cancer recurrence. The team led by Susan Waltz, PhD (pictured), professor in the Department of Cancer Biology, and Susanne Wells, PhD, professor in the Department of Pediatrics and director of the Epithelial Carcinogenesis and Stem Cell Program at Cincinnati Children’s, published on Sept. 6 in the journal PLOS ONE findings on biomarkers that help predict outcomes and could be targets for new treatments.

Waltz said the collaboration with Wells’ lab began around 15 years ago, as both research groups were studying different oncogenes, or genes that help accelerate cancer cell growth, called Ron and DEK. Both Waltz and Wells are members of the UC Cancer Center.

The research team found that the Ron and DEK genes can regulate certain metabolites, substances made or used when the body breaks down food, drugs or chemicals in the process of metabolism, to help cancer cells grow and spread. By studying the enzymes involved, the team identified a metabolic signature that can help better predict outcomes for patients. In addition to being a helpful biomarker, the metabolic signature itself could be a potential target for new therapies.

>> Read more about this research

Remember to show your support for the Bearcats on Sept. 9

All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear UC Bearcats spirit wear prior to home football games throughout the 2022 season. Andrew T. Filak Jr., MD, senior vice president for health affairs and Christian R. Holmes professor and dean, asks everyone to wear Bearcats spirit wear and jeans or business casual clothing in place of usual business attire, as appropriate, on the following days:

Friday, Sept. 9 (Sept. 10 game against Kennesaw State)
Friday Sept. 16 (Sept. 17 game against Miami)
Friday, Sept. 23 (Sept. 24 game against Indiana) Wear Black
Friday, Oct. 7 (Oct. 8 game against South Florida) Wear Red
Friday, Nov. 4 (Nov. 5 game against Navy) Wear Black
Thursday, Nov. 10 (Nov. 11 game against East Carolina)
Wednesday, Nov. 23 (Nov. 26 game against Tulane)

Outside Activity Reports must be completed by Friday, Sept. 9

All College of Medicine and Hoxworth employees with a full-time equivalency (FTE) of 50% or more must complete the Outside Activity Report (OAR) by Friday, Sept. 9 to comply with federal deadlines. All faculty and staff who engage in research, creative and scholarly work at UC regardless of their FTE percentage are required to complete this annual report of collateral employment and outside activity. Any activity outside of the scope of normal UC duties—even duties performed at UC and unpaid activities—must be reported. Failing to report or to truthfully report outside activities may result in disciplinary action.

UC embraces diversity and inclusion, locally and around the globe. While UC strongly supports international collaboration and values its partnerships with universities and other organizations worldwide, it is increasingly important that researchers be transparent about all sources of support and to promptly disclose any foreign component of research, including work conducted outside of the U.S. or supported by a foreign entity. For more guidance, please visit the UC Office of Research’s International Collaboration website or view the Foreign Influence Awareness video. Questions other than technical issues can be sent to OARquestions@uc.edu.

>> Learn more about annual Outside Activity Reports

>> Complete your OAR (requires your UC username and password)

Sunflower Rev It Up for Parkinson’s event is Sunday, Sept. 11

This year’s Sunflower Rev it Up for Parkinson’s event will be held Sunday, Sept. 11 at Sawyer Point in downtown Cincinnati. The event includes a 1K walk, a 5K walk/run and a 60K bike ride through downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Funds raised support research and educational efforts at the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute’s James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders.

>> Learn more, donate or register for the Sunflower Rev It Up for Parkinson’s

Fichtenbaum joins UC panel discussion on impact of research

Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, Gregory W. Rouan, MD Professor of Education in Internal Medicine, will be one of three panelists for a discussion of how researchers translate their academic work into real-world impact.

The session, “Research to Action,” will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Tangeman University Center MainStreet Cinema. It also will be available virtually via YouTube Livestream. The event is hosted by the UC Center for Public Engagement With Science. Joining Fichtenbaum as panelists will be Danielle Bessett, PhD, associate professor of sociology, College of Arts and Sciences, and Whitney Gaskins, PhD, assistant professor and assistant dean of inclusive excellence and community engagement, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The program will be moderated by Eduardo Martinez, PhD, assistant professor of philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences.

>> Register for the event

October faculty development programming

The Office of Faculty Affairs and Development is offering the following programming in October:

Professional Development Track Program, noon, Tuesday, Oct. 4: “Leadership: Effectively Managing Teams” via Zoom
Wellness Track Program, noon, Tuesday, Oct. 18: “Balance, Boundaries and Burnout: How to Build Resilience and Thrive in the World of Medicine” in Medical Sciences Building 2001 and via Zoom

For a complete roster of programs and program objectives, please visit the Faculty Affairs and Development website. All faculty development workshops since September 2016 have been recorded and posted on the website with new workshops posted online within days of being held.

>> To register, visit Faculty OneStop

This week in College of Medicine history

Sept. 7, 2007: A $5.5 million gift is announced establishing the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders at the Neuroscience Institute at University Hospital and the College of Medicine.

Sept. 8, 1925: The University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees announce at their meeting the exclusive privilege of teaching and research at the new Children’s Hospital (pictured) being built near the College of Medicine will be given to the college. Control of the hospital will remain with the trustees of the hospital.

Sept. 10, 1812: Leonidas Lawson, MD, the 19^th (1849-1854), 23^rd (1858-1860) and 25^th (1862-1864) dean of the Medical College of Ohio, is born in Nicholas County, Kentucky.

UPCOMING LECTURES AND SEMINARS (Sept. 7 - 19)

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Grand Rounds, Wednesday, Sept. 7: Brittany Krekeler, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, will present “Dysphagia Rehabilitation Lab: Collaborating to Improve Understanding of Swallowing and Its Disorders” at 7 a.m. in Medical Sciences Building E-351 and via Zoom.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Rounds, Wednesday, Sept. 7: Daphne Stroumsa, MD, assistant professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, will present “Caring for Transgender Patients in OBGYN” at 7:30 a.m. via Teams.

Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences Seminar, Wednesday, Sept. 7: Laura Syron, PhD, epidemiologist, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, will present “Research to Advance Occupational Health Equity” at 10 a.m. in Kehoe Auditorium, G26, Kettering Lab Complex.

Department of Internal Medicine Medical Grand Rounds, Wednesday, Sept. 7: Anita Afzali, MD, professor and executive vice chair for clinical operations, Department of Internal Medicine, will present “Practice of Precision Medicine in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Management” at noon via Zoom.

Vontz Center Cancer Seminar Series, Thursday, Sept. 8: Julianna Korns, Cancer and Cell Biology graduate student, will present “Plk1 Signaling as a Therapeutic Target in Head and Neck Cancer” and Kangqiang Qiu, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, will present “Ultra-long-term Super-resolution Tracking of Lysosomes in Brain Organoids by Near-infrared Noble Metal Nanoclusters” at noon in Rieveschl Auditorium, Vontz Center for Molecular Studies.

Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences Division of Epidemiology Thursday Seminar Series, Thursday, Sept. 8: Amanda Castel, MD, professor, Department of Epidemiology, Milken School of Public Health, George Washington University, will present “Addressing the HIV Epidemic in Washington, DC Through Applied Epidemiology” at noon in Kehoe Auditorium, G26, Kettering Laboratory.

Neuroscience Seminar Series, Thursday, Sept. 8: Matthew Robson, PhD, assistant professor, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, will present “Dazed and Confused: Alterations in 5-HT Signaling Following Blast-induced Traumatic Brain Injury” at 4 p.m. in Medical Sciences Building 4051 and via Zoom.

Biomedical Informatics Friday Research Seminar Series, Friday, Sept. 9: Umberto Tachinardi, MD, chief health digital officer, associate dean for health informatics and interim chair, Department of Biomedical Informatics at the College of Medicine and vice president and chief health digital officer for UC Health, will present “Establishing a Digital Health Office at UC/UCHealth” at 11 a.m. in Cincinnati Children’s Research Auditorium.

Center for Transplant Immunology Seminar Series, Friday, Sept. 9: E. Steve Woodle, MD, William A. Altemeier Professor in Research Surgery, Department of Surgery, and director, Solid Organ Transplantation, UC Health, will present “Single Cell Analysis of Rejection: Mechanistic Insights to Inform Novel Therapeutic Approaches” at noon via live noninteractive broadcast.

Medical Student Grand Rounds, Tuesday, Sept. 13: Gabrielle Notorgiacomo, third-year medical student, will present "Incorporating Trauma-informed Care" at noon in Medical Sciences Building E-351.

Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology Seminar Series, Tuesday, Sept. 13: Agnes Luo, PhD, associate professor, Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, will present “Inhibiting the Inhibitory CSPGs-PTPs Signaling to Enhance Functional Recovery After CNS Injuries” at noon in Medical Sciences Building 3351 and via Zoom.

Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences Seminar, Wednesday, Sept. 14: Sakthivel Sadayappan, PhD, Dr. James F. Heady Chair in Medicine and vice chair for research, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, will present “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Public Health” at 10 a.m. in Kehoe Auditorium, G26, Kettering Lab Complex.

Department of Internal Medicine Medical Grand Rounds, Wednesday, Sept. 14: Eric Warm, MD, Richard W. and Sue P. Vilter Chair in Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, will present “State of the Residency” at noon via Zoom.

Vontz Center Cancer Seminar Series, Thursday, Sept. 15: Scott Dixon, PhD, associate professor, Department of Biology, Stanford University, will present “Defining and Overcoming Ferroptosis Resistance Mechanisms” at noon in Rieveschl Auditorium, Vontz Center for Molecular Studies.

Neuroscience Seminar Series, Thursday, Sept. 15: Michael Hawrylycz, PhD, investigator, Allen Institute for Brain Science, will present “Advancing Open Neuroscience: Data, Tools and Resources at the Allen Institute for Brain Science” at 4 p.m. via Zoom.

Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training Grand Rounds, Friday, Sept. 16: Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, PhD, associate professor, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, will present “Toward Our Shared Liberation: Reproductive Justice Epidemiology for Action” at noon via Zoom. Register for the presentation.

Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute Seminar Series, Monday, Sept. 19: Anandi Krishnan, PhD, instructor, Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, will present “The Versatile Platelet: A Case Study in Progressive Bone Marrow Disorders” at noon in Medical Sciences Building 2351.