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News for BCM Faculty, June 13, 2019
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From the Labs: June’s image of the month is the developing optic cup and lens of a mouse embryo, courtesy of Dr. Ross Poché, assistant professor of molecular physiology & biophysics, and his lab. Read about the lab’s research on retinal progenitor cells, retinal regeneration and craniofacial and neurodevelopmental birth defects in this week’s post.

Academic Council: President Paul Klotman and CFO Julie Nickel gave a budget history and update at the June 10 meeting. To increase financial transparency, identified as an area for improvement in the faculty satisfaction survey, a video of their presentation will be produced and made available in July.

  • COO Joe Doty discussed the anticipated August launch of the Human Resources business application, SuccessFactors, which will eliminate paper timesheets but require multi-factor authentication if accessed from affiliate locations or home. Mosaic HR fairs to educate employees about the new processes are scheduled for various locations through June 26.
  • Doty also provided an overview on Defining Pathways and Possibilities, redesigned job architecture to better understand staff roles across the College. The first phase, involving leadership and administrative roles, will roll out in tandem with SuccessFactors.
  • Dr. Joseph Petrosino, interim chair of molecular virology & microbiology, presented his vision for the department.

Faculty Kudos

David Baldwin, co-president of SCF partners, has been elected chair of the Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees. A member of the Board since 2011, he most recently was vice chair. Mr. Baldwin succeeds Fred Lummis, chair of Platform Partners, LLC, who will continue to serve as a trustee. Richard Mithoff, founder of the Mithoff Law Firm, Ira Mitzner, president and CEO of RIDA Development Corporation, Paul Foster, chair of Western Refining, and Todd Reppert, founder and chair of Reppert Capital Partners, are new additions to the Board.

The Board also appointed five outstanding faculty members to endowed positions at the May meeting:

Dr. Sandeep Agarwal was named to the Nancy Chang, Ph.D. Endowed Chair for the Biology of Inflammation Center for his work as chief of the Section of Immunology, Allergy & Rheumatology in the Department of Medicine. A faculty senator, he has been at Baylor since 2011.

Dr. Susan Blaney was honored with the Elise C. Young Chair in Pediatric Oncology in recognition of her service as chief of pediatric hematology/oncology and director of the Texas Children’s Cancer Center. She joined the faculty in 1995.

Dr. Thomas Giordano was named to the M. D. Anderson Foundation Chair for his service as section chief for infectious diseases and medical director of HIV Services for Harris Health since 2004.

Dr. Anna Messner was appointed to the Bobby R. Alford Chair of Pediatric Otolaryngology. Formerly at Stanford University, she came to the College and Texas Children’s Hospital this year as professor and chief of otolaryngology.

Dr. Stephanie Pangas was recognized with the Roger Rossen Endowed Professorship of Reproductive Pathology for her research and educational contributions to the College. She joined the faculty as a Duncan Scholar in 2007.

College Events

Homes for Animal Heroes: Join Baylor’s Team Beastmode in supporting Homes for Animal Heroes, an organization that finds homes for retired research animals, at the Run for Research Awareness 5K fun run in Hermann Park. Register online and meet at the Jewish Institute entrance with your dogs at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, June 15.

Market Day: Visit local vendors selling home products, keto desserts, flavored teas and cold pressed juices from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 17, in Rayzor Lounge, main Baylor. See the vendor list.

Health Equity Research Summit: Explore current topics in health equity research, education, clinical care and outreach at the 2019 Center of Excellence in Health Equity, Training and Research Summer Research Summit, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, at main Baylor. Dr. Patrice A. Harris, president of the American Medical Association, delivers the keynote address, “Physician Leadership in Shaping the Future of Healthcare in America,” at 2 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium. The CME-eligible seminar also includes a health equity research showcase. Register online to attend.

Drug Development: The Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center host the Drug Development Joint Symposium, 8 a.m. – 5 :30 p.m. Thursday, June 20, in Onstead Auditorium, 6767 Bertner Ave. Dr. Roy Herbst, chief of medical oncology and associate director for translational research at Yale Cancer Center, is the keynote speaker.

Faculty Resources

Educator Workshop: Learn strategies to facilitate and manage learning in “Leading Small Groups,” 3:30 – 5 p.m. Friday, June 21, in Room N311, main Baylor. To attend, RSVP to the Office of Faculty Development.

Education Portfolio: Attend an introduction to portfolios for academic promotion and awards presented by Faculty Development from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, June 24, in room M423, main Baylor. Please RSVP.

For a Good Cause

World Cup Photo Op: It’s the women’s turn for the World Cup! Show your excitement and your U.S.A. team pride (or whichever team you’re rooting for!) at a World Cup-themed photo op, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, in the E hallway by the cafeteria at main Baylor. There will be props and signs to show your spirit and photos will be shared in College communications and on social media. For those who can’t make it to main Baylor, send photos of you and your colleagues in your World Cup gear to Social Media Manager Anna Kiappes to be included.

Houston Pride BCM Pride and SPECTRUM student groups along with the Office of Institutional Diversity, Inclusion and Equity host a table at the 2019 Houston Pride Festival from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, at 901 Bagby St. The Teen Health Clinic will hand out information and promotional items. LGBT+ Pride Month serves as an important reminder that Baylor is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all community members, guests and visitors.


Attention Clinicians: See Clinical Events

Clinical Seminars

Quality & Safety: Applications are open for the Institute for Continuing Professional Development in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety's QI Jumpstart, starting Sept. 10. This intermediate-level training course to is designed for healthcare providers with an introductory knowledge of the concepts of quality improvement and patient safety but who would benefit from hands-on experience in applying the learned principles to improve their healthcare practice and to mentor trainees. There is no charge to attend the CME-eligible course but space is limited. Learn more and apply online by Sunday, June 30.


Attention Researchers: See Research Calendar

Research Seminar

Genetics: Dr. Alexandre Orthwein, principal investigator at Lady Davis Institute, McGill University, presents "Unravelling the landscape of factors preserving genomic stabiity" at 11 a.m. Monday, June 17, in Room 301A, main Baylor. A chalk talk follows the seminar, sponsored by the Department of Molecular & Human Genetics.

Research Resources

Mentoring Workshop: The Gulf Coast Consortium hosts “Managing Mentoring Conversations,” facilitated by Dr. Walter Baile, program director for interpersonal communication and relationship enhancement at MD Anderson Cancer Center, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at Rice University’s Bioscience Research Collaborative. The workshop shows how to engage learners, give corrective feedback and deal with emotions in crucial conversations. Register online to attend.

The Searle Scholars Program supports the research of early-career scientists who were appointed as assistant professors in the following fields on or after July 1, 2018: biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and related areas in chemistry, medicine, and the biological sciences. Baylor may submit two nominations for this grant worth $300,000 over three years. If interested, please see the listing online and submit the required information by 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 26.

The Nancy Chang, Ph.D. Award for Research Excellence, which funds investigators with exceptional basic, clinical or translational research projects at the College, is accepting applications through 5 p.m. July 2. Endowed by Dr. Chang, a Baylor scientist, philanthropist and entrepreneur, one or two grants of up to $45,000 will be awarded in fiscal year 2020. For more information and to apply, please see the website.


Questions or Comments?

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Institutional Policy Committee: Contact the Policy Committee to learn more about College policies and procedures.

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