News for BCM Faculty, August 5, 2021
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College News

GSBS Orientation: The newest group of 109 students in the Baylor College of Medicine Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences attended in person orientation on campus Friday, July 30.

Vaccinations: On-site COVID-19 vaccinations will be offered on the main Baylor campus on the dates below. Baylor faculty, staff and learners are welcome to walk in for their first shot, and they will be scheduled for their second shot. Assistance also will be available to complete the required COVID attestation.

• Friday, Aug 6, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Rayzor Lounge (second dose will be scheduled for Aug. 27, 8:30-11:30 a.m.)
• Tuesday, Aug. 10, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Rayzor Lounge (second dose will be scheduled for Aug. 31, 8:30-11:30 a.m.)

Summer 2021 Open Call for Committees: Institutional Committee Governance is accepting self-nominees for summer elections. The committees accepting at-large members include: Faculty Appointments and Promotions Committee, Faculty Research and Fellowship Support Committee, and Patent and Copyright Committee. These committees are sponsored by the Office of the President and Institutional Committee Governance, chaired by Dr. Christie Lincoln, to increase faculty engagement and participation in the life of the College. More information and nomination form. Please submit electronic form by Aug. 20.

Faculty Kudos

Dr. Stephanie V. Sherman, assistant professor in the Department of Medicine's section of general internal medicine and associate program director for the residency program, was selected to join the New England Journal of Medicine as the new editor for Images in Clinical Medicine, the journal's most widely read section.

Dr. Brendan Lee, Robert and Janice McNair Endowed Chair in Molecular and Human Genetics and professor and chair of the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, has been named president-elect of the American Society of Human Genetics. His three-year term will begin Jan, 1, 2022. Lee previously served on the ASHG Board of Directors as secretary.

Dr. Susan Rosenberg, professor of molecular and human genetics and Ben F. Love Chair in Cancer Research, has been named to the executive committee of the new American Association of Cancer Research Cancer Evolution Working Group. The mission of the group is to advance cancer diagnostic, therapeutic and prevention strategies by fostering a fundamental understanding of cancer evolution.

Dr. Andrea Braun, assistant professor of medicine – pulmonary, has been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP).

Dr. Hoda Badr, associate professor of medicine – epidemiology and population sciences, received a grant for more than $1 million from the American Cancer Society to study health disparities in gastrointestinal cancer surgery outcomes. The study will examine how disadvantages in the social determinants of health translate to disparate outcomes for medically underserved patients in the post-surgery recovery process.

The Center for Cell and Gene Therapy was well represented at the Immuno-Oncology Young Investigators Forum last week. Dr. Valentina Hoyos, assistant professor at the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy and the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, won the Clinician Scientist Distinguished Young Investigator Research Award for her exceptional work studynig the role of the TRAIL Receptor 2 to enhance CAR T cell efficacy in breast cancer. Dr. Mary Kathryn McKenna, a postdoctoral fellow, won first place in the Ph.D. Postdoc Awards for her work using banana lectin-powered T cells to augment targeted therapies in solid tumors.

College Events

Hematology and Medical Oncology Presentation: “Cell Extrinsic mechanisms of FLT3 inhibitor resistance,” is the topic of a presentation by Dr. Elie Traer, associate professor at the Center for Hematologic Malignancies in the OHSU Knight Cancer Center Institute. The presentation will be via Zoom, Monday Aug. 9, at 12:30 p.m. Meeting ID: 387 923 767, password: 831342.

Oxford Nanopore Technologies Webinar: “Long Read Sequencing
Opportunities at the BCM Human Genome Sequencing Center,” is the topic of a webinar that will look at Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing platforms. Vendors from ONT will share the latest advances in their technology - both bench side and computational methods. Invited speakers will discuss their experiences using this platform in their research studies using multiple applications. Friday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m. Registration is required.

Self-Efficacy Workshop: “Optimizing Mentoring Relationships: Promoting Self-Efficacy,” is the topic of a Zoom workshop that will explore the sources of self-efficacy and how you can support the people you mentor. Aug. 25, at 3:30 p.m. For questions or registration contact Debbie Fernandez.

Faculty Opportunities

Director of Clinic Services Curriculum Wanted: The School of Medicine seeks a director of clinical sciences curriculum. The director of clinical sciences curriculum will provide leadership and oversight for the clinical services curriculum under the direction of the associate dean for UME Curriculum. Please apply no later than Friday, Aug. 27. All application materials (CV and letter of interest) should be sent to Richelle Lopez. For additional questions, contact Stacey Rose.

Request for applications for 2-year T32 fellowship in cardiovascular research (2022-24): Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery T32 research training program in Cardiovascular surgery is open for application. Ideal candidates are M.D.s and Ph.D.s interested in cardiovascular research. Learn more about training curriculum, training tracks, faculty mentors list, stipend, and eligibility criteria. To apply, email coordinator Alicia Wang.

Call for Applications: The Dean of the School of Medicine is soliciting nominations for a Foundational Sciences Associate Course Director for the MS2 Nutrition Course. The 9-session course is scheduled in the spring semester from March 10, 2022 to May 15, 2022. The sessions are on Thursday afternoons from 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Learn more. Please contact Dr. Nadia Ismail for additional questions.

Call for Nominations: The inaugural Target ALS Rebecca Luker Courage Award, is accepting nominations for individuals who have demonstrated a courageous spirit and made a positive impact on the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) community over the past year. Nominations will close Sept. 30, 2021, and winners will be announced in fall 2021. Learn more.

Faculty Resources

Required Training: The required e-learning course Inclusion Excellence: A T.E.A.M. approach must be completed by Aug. 13. The training focuses on the College’s commitment to inclusion, highlights data to support the advancement of inclusion in a biomedical institution, provides historical context for exclusionary practices in the U.S. and offers strategies to achieve an anti-bias environment. The training has been updated for ADA compliance and now provides closed captioning on video segments. You can access the training through SuccessFactors.

Appointments available at new employee healthcare clinic: Scheduling is now available by calling 832-548-9775 for the new dedicated healthcare clinic for Baylor employees and their dependents covered by a BCM medical plan. The clinic opened Wednesday, July 14, in suite 1225 at Baylor Clinic. A collaboration of Baylor Medicine and Vera Whole Health, it offers personalized primary care, chronic disease management and acute medical care with no or low fees. Look for a welcome packet with more information in the mail.

Questions or Comments?

Faculty Senate: Please contact your senator for faculty-related questions or suggestions.

Institutional Policy Committee: Contact the Policy Committee to learn more about College policies and procedures.

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