News for BCM Faculty, Feb. 4, 2021
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College News

From the Labs: Dr. Kristen Engevik, postdoctoral associate in Dr. Joseph Hyser’s virology & microbiology lab, is the winner of the American Journal of Physiology “Cell-ebrating HeLa” competition with this image of immunofluorescent HeLa cells. The cells derive from cervical cancer cells taken from Henrietta Lacks 70 years ago. Read more about Engevik’s work online.

Vaccine Update: Baylor College of Medicine has administered first doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine to 1,414 employees and learners and 3,819 Baylor Medicine patients, as of the Feb. 2 report card. Second doses have been given to 392 employees and learners.

• As vaccination efforts continue, know that the situation changes frequently based on vaccine supply, expected allotments and shipping logistics. This may result in some vaccination appointments being rescheduled to earlier or later dates or different locations to be administered through Baylor affiliates. Check for emails from coronavirusinfo@bcm.edu or your My Chart account. These messages will direct you to reschedule your vaccination appointment if necessary.
• Plan to receive your second dose from the same vaccine manufacturer at the same location and through the same affiliate, if applicable, as your first dose.

Faculty Kudos

Dr. Dorit Donoviel, associate professor, director of the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) and faculty senator, received notice that NASA has extended its cooperative agreement with TRISH through September 2028, following a review of the institute’s progress. It was established in 2016 to develop innovative approaches to reduce risks to humans on long-duration spaceflights.

Dr. Daniel Hamstra has been named professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, effective July 1. He joins Baylor from Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Michigan. Hamstra will serve as the radiation oncology lead at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center and radiation oncology service line chief for St. Luke’s Health – Texas Division.

Dr. Valentina Hoyos, assistant professor at the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy and the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, is featured in this month’s BCM Family for her pandemic creative expression: Drawing cartoons that explain the science behind COVID-19, vaccines, cancer and global climate change. See her art online.

Dr. Martin Matzuk, professor and Robert L. Moody, Sr. Chair in Pathology, and Dr. Joanne Richards, professor of molecular & cellular biology, have been selected as distinguished fellows of the Society for the Study of Reproduction in the program’s inaugural year. Matzuk, director of the Center for Drug Discovery, is known for his interrogation of TGFb superfamily, germ cell and hormonal signaling pathways using functional genomics. Richards’s research centers on the hormonal control of ovarian follicular development, including ovulation, polycystic ovary syndrome and ovarian cancer.

Dr. Todd Rosengart, professor and DeBakey-Bard Chair in Surgery, has been named to a new American College of Surgeons National Surgeon Scientist Program and asked to serve as chair of its grant review committee. The program will develop early investigator surgeon scientists, initially in cancer-related research.

Dr. Wolfgang Winkelmayer, professor and Gordon A. Cain Chair in Nephrology, was the senior author, and Dr. Samaya Anumudu, assistant professor, nephrology, was a co-investigator and co-author of an article that was named a top paper published in 2020 by the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. The article, focused on terminology used by physicians to describe kidney health that patients may find distressing, was selected for its potential to inform future research, change clinical practice and influence public policy, particularly in the United States.

College (Virtual) Events

Heart Month: Baylor is participating in National Wear Red Day Friday, Feb. 5, in support of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign, a nationwide movement to fight heart disease in women. Be sure to take a photo of you and your colleagues wearing red and send it to Anna Kiappes by 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, to be featured on Baylor's social media channels. Follow Baylor on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see the photos!

Evenings with Genetics: The Human Genome Sequencing Center and Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, in collaboration with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, host a two-part series focused on race and genetics at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9 and 16.

• “Race & Genetics: Perspectives on Precision Medicine” is the topic of the Feb. 9 session with Dr. Clayton Yates, professor of biology at Tuskegee University, Shawneequa Collier, associate professor of clinical research and leadership at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Dr. Charmaine Royal, professor of African and African American studies, biology, global health, and family medicine and community health at Duke University. Registration is required for this free virtual event.
• Register now for the Feb. 16 session with Dr. Rick Kittles, professor and director of health equities at City of Hope, Dr. Chanita Hughes-Halbert, professor of psychiatry at Medical University of South Carolina, and J. Hoxi Jones, senior advocate.

Crumpler Legacy: To celebrate the legacy of Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first Black American woman to earn a degree in medicine (in 1864), Boston University School of Medicine hosts special symposia on trailblazing Black women leaders in academic medicine including Provost Alicia Monroe. Register online to livestream the panel discussion at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Bench to Bedside: Dr. J. Michelle Kahlenberg, associate professor of rheumatology at University of Michigan School of Medicine, speaks on “Understanding the pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus through translational research” at noon Thursday, Feb. 11, via Zoom, meeting ID: 959 0555 7830, passcode: 781667.

Black Doctors: The Student National Medical Association and Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion host a panel discussion of the film "Black Men in White Coats" at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12. View the 80-minute documentary by Dr. Dale Okorodudu prior to the event by registering before midnight Sunday, Feb. 7.

Faculty Opportunities

Course Positions: The School of Medicine seeks associate course directors for the MS1 Head and Neck Anatomy course and the MS2 Respiratory course. Innovative clinical faculty members with a passion and expertise in the subject matter and an interest in medical education are encouraged to apply for these positions that assist the course director and are supported by 10% FTE. For more information, please see Faculty Opportunities online.

Professionalism Award: Nominations for the Ben and Margaret Love Foundation Bobby Alford Award for Academic Clinical Professionalism will be accepted through Friday, Feb. 12. The prestigious award recognizes a physician for professionalism and humanism, and the ability to model these qualities in the practice of medicine. Additional information is available online.

Call for Proposals: The Center of Excellence in Health Equity, Research and Training is conducting a nationwide call for proposals for its May 20 Summer Research Summit in the following areas:

• Conference session proposals for plenary and concurrent sessions that are connected with the annual theme and overall learning objectives for the conference. The theme for this year’s summit is "Strengthening Our Commitment to Racial and Social Justice to Improve Public Health." Additional information, including the submission form, is available online.
• Research abstract proposals highlighting innovative research in health equity or health disparities that will contribute to the promotion and improvement of minority health and the elimination of health disparities in one of eight thematic areas. See the online listing for additional information and the submission form.

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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