News for BCM Faculty, May 13, 2021
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Academic Council: Dean Jennifer Christner said plans are underway to incorporate the regional campus in Temple into the structure of the School of Medicine, which will be “one school with two campuses, one team with two locations” by the time the inaugural class starts in July 2023. Facilities (pictured here) include a state-of-the art simulation space, gross anatomy lab and library. The school will hire foundational science faculty members to live and teach in Temple, growing to 47 FTE by academic year 2025-26. Recruitment for both campuses begins in a year.

• Clinical Affairs Dean Jim McDeavitt gave a pandemic update, noting the downward progression of new cases and hospitalization rates in the Houston area. He introduced Dr. Flor Munoz, associate professor of pediatrics, who is PI for the Pfizer vaccine trial in children ages six months to 11 years old. Phase 2-3 will enroll 4,500 children by the end of July and has generated good community interest. Munoz is also co-PI on the Moderna trial in children, which is on a similar timeline. Emergency use authorization is anticipated in the fall.
• Dr. Wolfgang Winkelmayer, professor of medicine – nephrology, solicited nominations for membership in the prestigious American Society for Clinical Investigation. Mid-career physician-scientists (under 50 years old) with strong funding records and national reputations are eligible. Baylor has 37 ASCI members.
• Chief of Staff Lorie Tabak reported that the AAMC StandPoint Engagement Surveys had a 25% response rate from faculty and 40% from staff with two weeks before the surveys close. The College expects 60% of faculty members to participate. If you don’t recall seeing the survey, please search your email (including junk folders) for the link to it in a message from StandPointSurveys@aamc.org.

Vaccine Update: The Baylor College of Medicine Vaccine Clinic is now offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds. Baylor faculty, staff and learners may use this link to initiate scheduling for their adolescent children, dependents, relatives and friends.

Visitors on Campus: The Incident Command Center has updated COVID-19 guidelines for visitors to Baylor facilities. Learn about the approval processes for researchers, guest faculty, learners, vendors, agencies, international visitors and interviewing candidates.

Faculty Senate Elections continue through Monday, May 17. All full- and part-time faculty members in the following departments received a link to the SharePoint ballot via email from their chair or administrator:

• Anesthesiology, Dermatology, Education Innovation & Technology, Emergency Medicine, Huffington Center on Aging, Medicine, Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Neurology, Neuroscience, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedic Surgery, Pathology & Immunology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Surgery and Urology. Read about the candidates.
• This first round of senate elections is to select electoral unit representatives. Elections for at-large senators are June 1-8. All faculty members may vote in the at-large elections.

Faculty Kudos

Debbie Barrera, instructor in pediatrics, Cassandra Duran, assistant professor of pediatrics, and Shambra Exum, nurse manager in dermatology, were among the top professionals selected by the Houston Chronicle for its annual Salute to Nurses during National Nurses Week. Learn more about them and gain insight into some of the career paths available in nursing in this month’s BCM Family.

Dr. Titilope Fasipe, assistant professor of pediatrics, was selected to serve on the American Society of Hematology Technical Expert Panel for Sickle Cell Quality Measures. She also was elected vice-chair of the Hemoglobinopathy Special Interest Group for the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

Xuxu Gou, Ph.D. candidate in translational biology and molecular medicine and part of Dr. Matthew Ellis’s lab, has received a Scholar-in-Training Award from the American Association for Cancer Research for her project on metastatic breast cancer. The competitive award supports attendance at the AACR virtual annual meeting in April and May.

Dr. Rachael Keefe, assistant professor of pediatrics, was elected to the Executive Committee of the Council on Foster Care, Adoption, and Kinship Care for the American Academy of Pediatrics. This important national committee sets policy and protocols for pediatricians around the country.

Dr. Paul Klotman, president, CEO and executive dean, recently received the Morley Science Medal from Western Reserve Academy. The alumni award honors scientific achievements and contributions to the improvement of the human condition.

Dr. Seth Lerner, professor of urology, recently was appointed to the National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee. The committee serves an important external oversight function and advises NCI leadership on research enterprises.

Dr. Fernando Stein, professor of pediatrics – critical care, was awarded the Americanism Medal from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. He was recognized as a renowned clinical care specialist, advocate for children's health and exceptional educator to students and trainees. Nominators noted that Stein, an immigrant from Guatemala, embodies the American dream and has worked to make this dream a reality for children seeking the same opportunity.

College Events

Faculty Orientation: The Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development helps recently appointed faculty members get off to a good start with its orientation session at 4 p.m. Monday, May 17, via Zoom, meeting ID: 913 0150 0289, passcode: 776679. See the complete summer workshop calendar.

Faculty Awards Day is virtual this year but the recognition is just as heartfelt. See the video and webpages for the winners of the Barbara and Corbin J. Robertson, Jr. Presidential Award for Excellence in Education, Ben and Margaret Love Foundation Bobby Alford Award for Academic Clinical Professionalism, Norton Rose Fulbright Faculty Excellence Awards, Faculty Awards for Excellence in Patient Care, Clark Faculty Service Award and John P. McGovern Outstanding Teacher Award online starting Wednesday, May 19.

COVID Symposium: The Gulf Coast Center for Precision Environmental Health and Baylor host the COVID-19 Disaster Research and Prevention Symposium, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 19. The virtual event features speakers from Houston and France for an international perspective on the pandemic crisis. Register for the event and see the full program.

Health Equity Summit: The Center of Excellence in Health Equity, Training and Research (COE) Summer Research Summit is set for Thursday, May 20 with the theme “Strengthening Our Commitment to Racial and Social Justice to Improve Public Health.” Dr. David Acosta, AAMC chief diversity and inclusion officer, speaks at noon on “Breaking the Silence in Uncertain Times: Addressing Racism in Medical Education and Research.” Program and registration information is available online.

Space Travel: “Why We Go” is the topic of a conversation with Dr. Jennifer Fogarty, former NASA chief scientist, Dr. Richard Jennings, flight surgeon and professor at University of Texas Medical Branch, and Dr. Dorit Donoviel, director of the Translational Research Institute for Space Health and a faculty senator, at noon Thursday, May 20. Register online.

Faculty Opportunities

Associate Renal Course Director: The Dean of the School of Medicine is accepting applications for an associate course director for the MS2 Renal course. Innovative clinical faculty members with a passion and expertise in nephrology and an interest in medical education are encouraged to apply by Wednesday, May 19. Read more about the position in Faculty Opportunities online.

Admissions Interviewers: Applications are open for the School of Medicine Admissions Interviewing Subcommittees, charged with interviewing and evaluating applicants with varied backgrounds, values, beliefs, interests, experiences and cultural viewpoints to ensure a diverse student body. Faculty members, fellows, residents and Baylor alumni are eligible to apply. Please see Faculty Opportunities for more information and apply by June 11.

Clinical Trial: Patients with MELAS - Mitochondrial Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like episodes - syndrome are needed for a Phase 1 clinical trial to test L-citrulline, an amino acid treatment, for the genetic disorder. The Baylor trial is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Mervar Foundation. For more information, contact May Ali at 832-822-1630.

Faculty Resources

Stop Asian Hate Rally: Stand in solidarity with the Asian and AAPI community at the TMC-wide, in-person Stop Asian Hate Rally at noon Friday, May 21, at the Baylor Jewish Medical Research Institute entrance lawn (1200 Moursund St,) The event includes a moment of silence, guest speakers and personal testimonies. Masks and proper social distancing are required.

Blood Drive: Get a free COVID-19 antibody test when you donate blood at Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s drive, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, in the Baylor Gym on the 8th floor of Garage 6. Appointments are required and can be made online.

LCME Newsletter: The School of Medicine's May LCME newsletter features upcoming events and an overview of Element 3.1 — Resident Participation in Medical Student Education and Element 9.1 — Preparation of Resident & Non-Faculty Instructors. The newsletter is online.

From the Labs: Read how Dr. Mirjana Maletić-Savatić, associate professor of pediatrics at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, identified membrane-bound BASP-1 protein as a possible biomarker of neural stem cells that would allow the study of adult human neurogenesis in this week's post. Receive From the Labs via email by entering your email address in the box at the end of any article and clicking the "subscribe" button.

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