Lopez del Amo Unveils New Mosquito Vivarium | |
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Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, such as malaria, Zika, and dengue, pose significant global public health concerns. Researchers at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health are responding by launching a novel mosquito vivarium to develop genetic strategies for controlling these diseases.
Epidemiology Assistant Professor Victor Lopez del Amo, PhD, with the Center for Infectious Diseases, leads the pioneering research facility working to mitigate the consequences of vector-borne diseases caused by mosquito populations.
Lopez del Almo’s research will build off the groundbreaking CRISPR-Cas9 tool, but he is implementing the use of Cas12a nuclease, which has never been used for genome editing within insects. This study marks the first system to be tested in flies, an initial step to opening a new avenue of implementation in mosquito species.
You can read more about Lopez del Amo's research here.
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EPIDEMIOLOGY FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS | |
Researchers Identify Novel Genetic Variants Associated with Alzheimer's Disease | |
Assistant Professor Chloé Sarnowski, PhD, with the Human Genetics Center, was the co-lead and corresponding author on a new study identifying the novel genetic variants associated with Alzheimer's disease in regions previously described as linked with the disease.
Data collected from the study, done in collaboration with Boston University School of Public Health, can inform researchers of specific genetic variants that put people at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and tailor future treatment plans.
The study leveraged whole genome sequence data in ancestrally diverse participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP) to refine genetic regions previously involved in Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers are currently expanding their work to include larger releases of the ADSP.
The findings were published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
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De Moraes Tapped for International Visiting Professorship Award | |
Assistant Professor Augusto De Moraes, PhD, has received the International Visiting Professorship Award from the American Heart Association.
The grant was awarded for De Moraes' project, "External Validity of Heart Failure Risk Prediction and Trajectory Models in Brazilian Cohort Population-based Study."
This grant program aims to bring internationally based scientists to the United States to foster scientific exchange in areas of research that align with the mission of the AHA.
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Photo: Epidemiology Associate Professor Anna Wilkinson, PhD, and SPH Austin campus associate dean. | |
Photo: Postdoctoral researcher Bara Bataineh, PhD, for Project VAMoS with Associate Professor Anna Wilkinson, PhD. | | | |
SRNT Annual Meeting, Edinburgh, Scotland March 20-23
Associate Professor Anna Wilkinson, PhD, attended the Society for Research on Nicotine & Tobacco annual meeting with fellow students and researchers. The team, in affiliation with the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, presented their posters at the conference. Wilkinson presented her work on nicotine use and suicidal ideation. Project VAMoS, a research project headed by Wilkinson, was also highlighted in her research team's poster presentations. The Project VAMoS research team included Postdoctoral researcher Baha Bataineh, PhD, study coordinator DJ Badillo, MPH, and researcher Abigail Adjei, PhD.
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Photo: Abigail Adjei, PhD | |
Photo: Bara Bataineh, PhD | | | |
New Genetic Insights into Blood Clotting Genes | |
UTHealth Houston Human Genetics Center researchers performed a genome-wide association study to identify seven new genetic regions for plasma levels of coagulation Factor VIII and one new genetic region for plasma levels of von Willebrand Factor.
The Factor VIII and von Willebrand Factor proteins have important roles in bleeding and thrombosis. In a series of follow-up experiments performed at Johns Hopkins University, the team was able to show that silencing of 3 genes in the newly identified regions (B3GNT2, CD36, and PDIA3) in liver and vascular endothelial cells modulated the levels of Factor VIII and von Willebrand Factor.
Epidemiology Associate Professor Paul S. de Vries, PhD, is the first author of this new study. Other authors include SPH Dean Eric Boerwinkle, PhD, Professor Myriam Fornage, PhD, and Chair Alanna Morrison, PhD.
The study, "A Genetic Association Study of circulating coagulation Factor VIII and von Willebrand Factor levels," was published in the last issue of Blood.
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New Study Uncovers Genetic Diversity in Turkish Population | |
A new study revealed a correlation between occurrences of complex genetic disorders in the Turkish population with increased levels of consanguinity when compared to unaffected populations.
Epidemiology Assistant Professor Zeynep Coban-Akdemir, PhD, with the Human Genetics Center, and Assistant Professor Xiaofei Song, PhD, with Moffitt Cancer Center, are co-leads on the study and worked in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine. Graduate student Tuğçe Bozkurt-Yozgatli, MSc, also contributed to the published study as a visiting scholar from Acibadem University in Istanbul, Turkey.
The population studied was a cohort of individuals originating from Turkey that is known to have different variations in genetic markers when compared to other populations from greater Europe.
Coban-Akdemir says this is an important part of the findings because it reveals how genes act within different populations and clans to contribute to different recessive genetic disorders.
You can learn more about the Turkish population variome and its impact on the architecture of rare disease traits from the article published in Genetics in Medicine OPEN as part of the GREGoR Consortium.
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EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDENT NEWS | |
PhD Candidate Explores Link Between Protein Intake and Health Outcomes | |
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Ji Yun Tark, MPH, a PhD candidate in epidemiology at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, is investigating the associations between protein consumption and hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). For Tark, the complex link between nutrition and health outcomes is critical for public health research.
Tark will defend her dissertation studies this April, examining the associations of protein consumption with incident hypertension and CVD in the multi-ethnic US adult population. Unlike previous research that primarily examined protein intake in general, Tark emphasizes the significance of investigating protein consumption by food source. She explains that the variations in amino acid compositions or associated nutrients in foods containing protein may lead to differing effects on health outcomes based on the source of the protein.
Tark currently works as a graduate research assistant with Associate Professor Marcia de Oliveira Otto, PhD, from the Department of Epidemiology. This role allows Tark to be involved simultaneously in three observational studies aimed at understanding the intricate relationship between nutrition and health.
You can read more about Tark's research and future aspirations here.
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IADR Conference, March 13-16
Epidemiology MPH student Fathimath Shamna, BDS, presented a new dental health study during the poster session at the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research.
Sharna is co-author of the paper, "Exploring the Paradox: Elevated Dental Needs in Ethnically Diverse Children with Healthy Body Mass Index in Houston, Texas," with co-authors Professors Shreela Sharma, PhD, Steven Kelder, PhD, and Jose-Miguel Yamal, PhD, Assistant Professor Ru-Jye Chuang, DrPH, graduate research assistant Jingxiao Chen, PhD, and graduate student Deepali Ernest, MPH.
The 2024 IADR conference was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, from March 13 to 16.
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Sign up today to connect and engage with your fellow students and alumni!
uthealthhoustonalumni.org
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Join the UTHealth Houston Alumni Community Platform!
Are you a student looking to expand your network and access valuable resources? Consider joining the UTHealth Houston Alumni Community platform!
Here's what you can expect:
· Community Connections: Connect with alumni with valuable experience and insights to share.
· Event Postings: Stay updated on events happening within the UTHealth community, including networking events, workshops, and seminars.
· Mentorship Opportunities: Explore mentorship opportunities with alumni who can provide guidance and support as you navigate your academic and professional endeavors.
Joining the platform is a great way to stay connected with the UTHealth Houston community and take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and resources available to you.
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Sixth Annual
UTHealth Houston Giving Day
Tuesday, April 2
Join us for the sixth annual UTHealth Houston Giving Day on Tuesday, April 2.
Your generosity in support of the many faces of UTHealth Houston will advance our pursuits of learning, discovery, and healing, which will change lives throughout our communities.
For More Information:
UTHealth Houston Giving Day
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James H. Steele, DVM
Annual Lecture
Thursday, April 4
12 noon - 1:00 pm
Join us in person or online for our annual lecture featuring Rick L. Tarleton, PhD.
Where: RAS 1st floor Auditorium
In-Person & Virtual Options
Registration Link
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2024 School of Public Health Commencement Ceremony
The 2024 School of Public Health Commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 10:00 am CDT at NRG Center, 1 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77054.
Note: All summer 2023, fall 2023, and spring 2024 graduates from all campuses are eligible to participate.
Please visit the School of Public Health Commencement page for more information.
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The Cupboard
March Hours
listed in flyer
The Cupboard is a no-cost food resource
for students and staff who may
need assistance.
Location: SPH Building, B-04
Email: TheCupboard@uth.tmc.edu
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3rd Annual Student InterCouncil
Crawfish Boil
Friday, April 5th
4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Where:Cooley Center Courtyard
7440 Cambridge St.
UTHealth Houston students may invite one guest each. The event will include crawfish, shrimp, hot dogs, vegetarian options, and beverages at no cost. Enjoy music, play games, and meet fellow students and SIC representatives!
For more information, visit this link.
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12th Annual Global Health Conference
April 6, 2024
8:00 am - 7:00 pm
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The Houston Global Health Collaborative invites you to the 12th annual conference, "Global Health Diplomacy: Shaping Policies for Global Health Impact."
Where: University of Houston
Tillman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine
Registration Link
This year's conference theme is Global Health Diplomacy: Shaping Policies for Health Impact, and it will feature subthemes of vaccine diplomacy, global surgery, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, and the global nutrition crisis. Clinicians, researchers, healthcare workers, policymakers, and students across any field who are interested in global health are especially encouraged to attend.
Visit houstonglobalhealth.org for more information. Registration information is available here.
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Summer 2024 Schedule Available to View on March 27
Beginning on March 27th, you will be able to view the Summer 2024 schedule on the interactive Class Schedule webpage. Registration opens for the summer semester on Wednesday, April 10th at 8:00 am, so start planning your courses now!
Summer courses are condensed versions of courses that are taught during fall and spring terms. Students enrolled in summer courses should prepare for a more intensive course experience.
Also, students can now request a permission code through our permission code portal. Watch our ‘How to request a permission code’ tutorial for a demo!
For additional important registration information and dates, see the Schedule of Classes webpage and the list of Summer 2024 Enrollment Dates.
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Stay in the Loop with Epidemiology! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to catch up with EPI news, events, and more! | |
Calling all Epidemiology alums! Epi in the News would like to include alum updates and news to feature in our monthly spotlight! Please email Jana Satterwhite, Communications Specialist, to be considered for our upcoming newsletters. | Reminder: For more information on how to handle media requests, see the UTHealth Houston HOOP policy here. If you are contacted by the media, please call the UTHealth Houston Media Relations team on the hotline, 713-500-3030 - someone is available 24/7. Deb Lake is the designated School of Public Health contact. Always choose to call the hotline for immediate assistance. | |
SUBMISSIONS AND NEWSLETTER DEADLINE | |
All campuses are encouraged to submit items for consideration for the monthly Epi newsletter. Please feel free to submit your items to sphehges@uth.tmc.edu. | | | | |
