NewsLink, Sept. 3, 2021
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Awards and Recognitions

Arey receives grant for memory research

Dr. Rachel Arey, assistant professor of molecular and cellular biology and in the Center for Precision Environmental Health, received a three-year, $225,000 grant from the Whitehall Foundation Inc. for her project to better understand the ability to form long-term memories. She will use the C. elegans model system to learn more about mRNAs involved in this poorly understood process.

Gardner honored for education impact

Dr. Aimee Gardner, associate dean of the School of Health Professions, received the 2021 Miriam Friedman Ben-David New Educator Award from the Association for Medical Education in Europe. The award highlighted her work in designing and implementing simulation training courses and her impact on admissions policies in healthcare, as well as her scholarly publications, collaboration and mentorship. She was recognized at an Aug. 28 virtual ceremony.

Stout, Chen earn Chan Zuckerberg grant

Dr. Timothy Stout, chair and professor of ophthalmology, and Dr. Rui Chen, professor of molecular and human genetics, have been awarded a Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Pediatric Networks for the Human Cell Atlas grant to create an atlas of genes and proteins of the human eye across pediatric development. The $2.5 million grant will support their work to understand the processes of eye development. Learn more.

Grant funds pediatric leukemia project

Co-principal investigators Dr. Philip Lupo and Dr. Karen Rabin, both associate professors of pediatric hematology/oncology, received a three-year, more than $1.1 million per year NIH P20 grant for their project, "Improving outcome disparities for Latino children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia." In addition to reducing disparities among Latino children by identifying biological factors that result in increased toxicities, the project will lay the groundwork for establishment of the first Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) devoted to pediatric leukemia. BCM core and project directors are Drs. Michael Scheurer, Monica Gramatges, Terzah Horton and Austin Brown.

Students earn grant for COVID mental health project

Snigdha Srivastava, an M.D./Ph.D. student, Rachel Shenoi, third-year medical student, and their faculty mentor Dr. Kirti Saxena, associate professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, received a 2021-2022 Helping Hands Grant Award from the American Psychiatric Association Foundation for their project, "Improving Identification and Awareness of Student Mental Health Impacted by COVID-19." Their goal is to provide teachers and students at Baylor College of Medicine Biotech Academy at Rusk, a BCM partner middle school with HISD, with a framework for recognizing symptoms of depression and anxiety in students returning to in-person classes, while fostering resilience and connecting students with local resources.

Events

Clinical Ethics Fellowship webinar

The Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy will host an informational webinar on its fellowship program on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 1 p.m. on its fellowship program. Faculty and current fellows will dive into goals of the fellowship, training specifics and answer questions about the program, which is accepting applications until Oct 29. Register for the webinar.

Sign up for Komen Race

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will take place Saturday, Oct. 2. The in-person race will begin at Sam Houston Park. You can also participate in a virtual race from your own neighborhood. Interactive events will be available online. Donate to or join the Baylor College of Medicine team. Find more race details here.

College News

PA student bringing home medals!

Yesterday at the Tokyo Paralympics, Baylor's Raymond Martin, a student in the Physician Assistant Program, took gold in the men's 100m track and field event in the T52 classification. This is in addition to the silver medals he won earlier in the Games in the 400m and 1500m races, all as his PA classmates have watched virtually, pictured. This is the third Paralympics in which he has competed. Congratulations to Ray!

Hurricane relief

Hurricane Ida has deeply affected our neighbors in Louisiana and has impacted many members of the Baylor community with family and loved ones who are now trying to recover from the storm. Please see this list of organizations where you can make donations of food and other much-needed items or provide financial help.

BCM handgun policy

The "constitutional carry" law, which allows Texans age 21 and over to carry handguns openly or concealed without obtaining a state-issued license, became effective Sept. 1, 2021. It is subject to certain exemptions, including one exemption that provides that private property owners may continue to prohibit individuals from bringing handguns onto their property. Baylor College of Medicine's current policy prohibits handguns on campus, and this new law does not change that prohibition. Anyone with questions is encouraged to reach out to the Office of General Counsel.

Join new center for AIDS research

The Texas Developmental Center for AIDS Research (TX D-CFAR) is now accepting members. The mission of the TX D-CFAR is to facilitate and support research to end the HIV epidemic and improve health of people with HIV. Membership is free and open to researchers and anyone else interested in HIV research in Texas. Benefits and services available to members include research expertise and services, funding for pilot projects, grant opportunities, seminars and conferences and mentoring programs for early-stage investigators. Join through the TX D-CFAR website.

Assistant dean of student affairs needed

Applications close Tuesday, Sept. 7, for the position of assistant dean of student affairs in the School of Medicine. The assistant dean of student affairs will be cross trained on all elements of the student affairs operations but will have special competency in and focus on the Learning Community Program. It is a 0.5 FTE position. Learn more and see application guidelines on the Faculty Opportunities page.

Help fuel Alzheimer's research

Chevron and Texaco are working with Baylor to help fuel the end of Alzheimer's disease through a fundraising campaign this September. Look for signage at select Chevron and Texaco stations throughout the region. You can stay COVID safe by donating directly at the pump or making an online donation. Proceeds will support Baylor's Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Faculty in the News

Check out all of Baylor's news media mentions in this week's Faculty in the News, and follow BCMHouston_News on Twitter to keep up with our experts in the media. Interested in science news? Read the latest in From the Labs.

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