NewsLink, Sept. 24, 2021
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Awards and Recognitions

Finnell earns grant for birth defect research

Dr. Richard H. Finnell, professor and holder of the William T. Butler MD Distinguished Chair, received a four-year, more than $2 million renewal of his NIH grant, "Intervention Strategies for Non-Folate Responsive Neural Tube Defects." Pre-pregnancy supplementation with folic acid can reduce the risk of neural tube defects, but a significant number of cases are non-folate responsive. Efforts to better understand the underlying mechanism of folic acid's beneficial effects may lead to novel intervention strategies to help prevent these birth defects.

Kirk honored for 'Small World' image

Jason Kirk, director of the Optical Imaging & Vital Microscopy Core at Baylor, placed first in the Nikon's Small World competition for his image of a southern live oak leaf. You can see trichome (white), stomata (purple) and vessels (cyan). It was taken with 60x objective magnification with a combination of diffused reflected light and red filtered transmitted light. See his past images from the Baylor core lab that have been recognized by Nikon.

McLaughlin honored for distinguished service

Dr. Robert McLaughlin, dean emeritus of BCM's School of Health Professions, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Society of Advancement of Health Professions at the society's annual conference, held virtually last week. The award recognizes leadership in health professions at local, state and national level as evidenced by sustained service to the health professions community and to TSAHP.

Samuel awarded NASA grant

Dr. Buck Samuel, assistant professor of molecular virology and microbiology, along with collaborators at Texas Tech University, Ohio State University and Rutgers University, were awarded a $2 million NASA Thrive In DEep Space (TIDES) grant. The goal of the TIDES initiative is to enable long-duration missions and improve life on Earth through innovative research. The grant will test the impact of the gut microbiome on the integrative physiology of genetically diverse invertebrates using both ground-based and International Space Station studies. Results from this three-year study will provide insights into how space travel impacts an animal host and its microbiome, both individually and together.

BCM recognized as Healthiest Employer of Texas

BCM has been named the healthiest extra-large sized employer in Texas in 2021 through the Healthiest Employers program. Read more about this recognition and get engaged with the BCM BeWell program to focus on your health and well-being.

Events

Alzheimer's walk kickoff event

Join Baylor's virtual kickoff Tuesday, Sept. 28, at noon, via Zoom for the Walk to End Alzheimer's Houston. This year's walk will be held Nov. 6. Last year, Baylor raised more than $50,000 for Alzheimer's care, support and research and was the largest team in Houston. Help match or top this effort by registering to join one of the BCM department teams.

White coat recycling

The annual lab coat and scrubs recycling event, sponsored by the BCM Resource Stewardship and Sustainability Program, is Oct. 4-7. Clean and uncontaminated garments will be accepted in the E hallway located between Rayzor Lounge and the courtyard at the main campus of Baylor.

Submissions Open: Off-Script Storytelling Event

Submit a story for the Texas Medical Center's storytelling hour on the theme of "homebound" – a time "home" was redecorated, overpopulated, underappreciated or abandoned altogether. All members of the Houston and TMC communities are invited to submit an upbeat story (fictional or true) with strong characters, vivid setting, and dramatic movement. Sponsored by the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy's Narrative Medicine Program. Entries due by Oct 4; storytelling event is Nov. 18. Learn more and submit your story.

Liver cancer research symposium

The Texas Collaborative Center for Hepatocellular Cancer, directed by Dr. Hashem El-Serag, chair of the Department of Medicine, is hosting its second annual symposium on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. The virtual symposium will cover the latest liver cancer research and treatments and will feature speakers from Baylor and other leading medical institutions. Register for the event here and find more information about the speakers here.

BCM 5K: Now virtual

The BCM 5K has been moved to a virtual event, Oct. 15 – 17, allowing participants to complete the 5K anywhere they like while maintaining health and safety during the pandemic. Registration is open until Oct. 17. Proceeds support health and wellness initiatives in the community.

College News

Prepare for Open Enrollment

The 2022 Open Enrollment period is Oct. 4 – 18 and will be virtual again this year. Open Enrollment information is available online and will be mailed to your permanent mailing address. Learn even more about your 2022 benefits options at the events listed below, or contact ask-insurance@bcm.edu or 713-798-1500.

• Register for the virtual benefits fair
• Attend a virtual information session with HR representatives
• Schedule a 30-minute virtual or in-person appointment

Support Alzheimer's research

The multidisciplinary team of experts at Baylor's Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases (CAND) is gaining new insights into these diseases and paving the way for new therapeutics. Support their work and help fuel the end of Alzheimer's by donating to CAND at participating Chevron and Texaco stores throughout our region. Just look for signs at your local station to donate inside or right at the pump or donate online.

Thank you, Postdocs!

This week marks National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week. At Baylor, there are nearly 600 postdoctoral trainees across basic science and clinical departments and academic centers who help to advance the mission of the College. Head to the virtual kudoboard to read words of thanks to postdocs from Baylor faculty and staff. Read more about the work of our postdocs in From the Labs.

Faculty in the News

Dr. Hana El Sahly commented on the importance of getting the flu vaccine this year in an article in the Atlantic. 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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