NewsLink, Sept. 14, 2018
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Awards and Recognitions

Shivanna earns NIH grant

Dr. Binoy Shivanna, assistant professor of pediatrics – neonatology, received an R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health for his project on the roles of the hormone adrenomedullin and its signaling receptors in experimental models of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary hypertension. The goal of his work is to translate bench research to clinical trials for the prevention and or treatment of BPD in premature infants.

Starks named as fellow in health policy and aging

Dr. Steven Starks, assistant professor of psychiatry and neurology at Baylor and the DeBakey VA Medical Center and part of Baylor’s Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorder Center, was selected as a Health and Aging Policy Fellow, a national program based at Columbia University. Fellows are selected each year through a national competition based on their commitment to health and aging issues, leadership potential and interest in impacting policy.

Walker recognized for research

Dr. Cheryl Walker, director of Baylor's Center for Precision Environmental Health, will receive the Roy O. Greep Award for Outstanding Research from the Endocrine Society in recognition of her contributions to the field, including her research on understanding how environmental exposures, especially to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, increase risk for certain cancers. She will receive the award at ENDO 2019, the Society's 101st annual meeting and expo, next spring in New Orleans. In addition, Walker recently received an Outstanding Investigator Award (R35) from the National Cancer Institute.

Events

Sept. 17 events: Blood drive and tropical medicine info session

-A blood drive for the Baylor St. Luke's Blood Center is Monday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Rayzor Lounge, main Baylor. Eligible donors will receive a T-shirt and first-time donors will receive a Subway gift card. Remember, one donation saves three lives!
-Learn about the Diploma in Tropical Medicine offered by Baylor's National School of Tropical Medicine, at an information session, Monday, Sept. 17, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., room M112. School and program directors Drs. Peter Hotez, Laila Woc-Colburn, Kristy Murray and Kathryn Jones will lead the session; pizza included. The diploma course offers the knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat tropical diseases around the globe.

Sept. 18 & 20: Simulation open house

Stop by the Clinical Simulation and Standardized Patient Program open houses, Sept. 18 and Sept. 20, 9 to 11 a.m., room 421 in the DeBakey Building, to learn how to use low- and mid-fidelity simulators, meet a standardized patient, explore surgical simulation tools and meet the College's simulation staff. The open houses are being held during Healthcare Simulation Week 2018, Sept. 17-21, to raise awareness of how simulation contributes to education and to safer, more knowledgeable patient care. Questions? Call 713-798-5538 or email spprogram@bcm.edu.

Sept. 18: Parkinson's disease webinar

Dr. Laura Marsh, professor of psychiatry and neurology, will present an educational webinar Sept. 18, noon – 1 p.m., on "Mental Health and Parkinson’s Disease," part of the Parkinson's Foundation Expert Briefing. Her presentation will focus on the overlap of motor, cognitive and psychiatric aspects of the disease and general approaches to treatment. Register online.

Sept. 19: Postdoc career development

As part of Postdoc Appreciation Week, postdoctoral trainees are invited to "Building a Sustainable Research Program," a presentation by Dr. Brendan Lee, chair of molecular and human genetics, Sept. 19, 5 - 7 p.m. in Rayzor Lounge, followed by roundtable discussion on topics such as grant writing, faculty job searches, mentoring, promotion and tenure, work-life balance and more. Co-sponsored by the Career Development Center and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences' Postdoctoral Association. RSVP to career.development@bcm.edu.

Sept. 20: Baylor apparel on sale!

Stock up on Baylor-branded fall outerwear and other apparel at an on-campus sale, Thursday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., E hallway, main Baylor.

Sept. 20 & 27: More voter registration events

There's still time to register to vote or update your information before the midterm elections! Stop by the voter registration table on Thursday, Sept. 20, by the third floor Coffee Corner at main Baylor, and on Thursday, Sept. 27, in the hallway by the conference rooms at Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center on the McNair Campus, both from noon to 1 p.m. More information on eligibility and required identification can be found online; Baylor and League of Women Voters volunteers will be on hand to assist.

Sept. 21 events: Educational showcase and cancer summit

-The Academy of Distinguished Educators will host the annual Showcase of Educational Scholarship Friday, Sept. 21, noon to 3 p.m., Rayzor Lounge. Peer-reviewed posters related to educational initiatives and innovations will be on display; select posters will receive the Educational Scholarship Recognition Award. Stop by to view posters, ask questions of presenters and enjoy refreshments.
-The Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center will host the Biden Cancer Community Summit, Friday, Sept. 21, 2 – 5 p.m., Cullen Auditorium. Open to researchers, healthcare providers and trainees, this discussion will focus on local efforts to accelerate progress in cancer prevention, research and treatment. Refreshments provided. RSVP online.

Oct. 13: Wellness 5K

Get your walking and running shoes ready for the 2018 BCM Wellness 5K Run & Kids 1K, Saturday, Oct. 13, 7:30 a.m., at the TMC Commons, with post-race awards, activities and games. This annual, student-organized event benefits health-related community outreach programs. Kids race free and the first 50 get a free T-shirt, and childcare is available for them as parents race! Learn more and register.

Save the Date for Huffington Center event

The Huffington Center on Aging will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Oct. 17 with a daylong scientific symposium and poster session in Cullen Auditorium and Rayzor Lounge featuring speakers from Baylor and beyond, with the Huffington Distinguished Lecture by Dr. Shelley Berger, professor of cell and developmental biology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine. Poster submissions on aging-related research are being accepted through Sept. 17. See the full agenda and submission guidelines. The symposium will be followed by a dinner and keynote presentation by Arianna Huffington on "Thrive: How to Build a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, Wonder and Purpose – At Any Age," at the Junior League of Houston. Purchase tickets.

College News

Flu shots starting on campus

The Occupational Health Program will offer flu shots at locations throughout campus starting next week. Check the OHP calendar for a location near you. Dates and locations will be added so check the calendar often. Don't forget to complete the online form verifying you received the flu vaccine.

HCMS hospital survey for physicians

The Harris County Medical Society's Physicians' Hospital Survey launched this week. Look for an email from Dr. George Santos, president of the society, with a link to the 10-minute survey soliciting feedback on greater Houston-area hospitals regarding quality of medical care, hospital policy and administration, medical staff issues and electronic medical records. All practicing physicians regardless of membership in the society are eligible to participate in the anonymous survey. All physicians who complete the survey will be entered to win one of five gift certificates to the Apple Store valued at $400. The survey ends Oct. 15. For questions or more information, contact Ahuva Terk at Ahuva_terk@hcms.org or 713-524-4267.

BeWell news: Weight Watchers perks

Benefits-eligible employees have access to Weight Watchers discounts and other perks for new members who join through Sept. 21. Find more information online. For questions, email wellness@bcm.edu.

Faculty in the News

Dr. Gail Demmler Harrison spoke in the news this week about hand, foot and mouth disease after an Astros pitcher was diagnosed with it. Read this week's Baylor news media mentions in 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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