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Faculty Commons, Nov. 2 - 8, 2017
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From the Labs: An activated human natural killer cell imaged by Dr. Emily Mace using super-resolution microscopy is the featured image in From the Labs. Mace, assistant professor of pediatrics – allergy & immunology, focuses on understanding the molecular signals that promote NK cell development and how these processes malfunction in disease. You can receive weekly articles on research at Baylor as they are posted in our newsletter by going to From the Labs and entering your email address in the box on the right. Or get a digest at the end of the month with links to the articles posted that month by emailing science writer Ana Rodríguez, with “Subscribe me to From the Labs” in the subject line.

 

Medical Premium Reduction: To qualify for the BCM BeWell 20 percent medical premium reduction in 2018, you need to have earned 16,000 Vitality points by Nov. 30. Click the “Employer Incentive Plan” link on the BCM BeWell Portal homepage to see if you qualify. Please be sure to complete your financial one-on-ones, biometric screening, and other points-earning activities prior to the deadline to ensure your Vitality points are uploaded in time.


Title IX Training: If you have been designated a “Responsible Employee” with reporting responsibilities under the federal law that seeks to eliminate barriers to educational opportunity caused by sex-based discrimination, you are required to take the online training titled “Bridges: Building a Supportive Community” by Nov. 30. The LawRoom system will send you a reminder email with a link to the site every Monday until you complete the hour-long training.


Faculty Kudos

imageDr. Malcolm Brenner, professor, Fayez Sarofim Chair and founding director of the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, received the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Outstanding Achievement Award for his pioneering contributions to the field. He was honored at the society's 25th annual congress in Berlin, Oct. 17 - 20, where he delivered a talk at the Presidential Symposium on "T cell immunotherapy: Practice makes perfect?"

 

imageDr. Jessica Davila, associate professor of medicine – health services research, will serve as the new Population Health course director for the School of Medicine in fall 2018. She is a clinical epidemiologist who has conducted large, population-based studies funded by the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Health Resources and Services Administration.

 

imageDr. Sindhu Idicula, assistant professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, was invited to the inaugural Obama Foundation Summit Oct. 31 - Nov. 1 in Chicago, where hundreds of leaders from around the world exchanged ideas, explored creative solutions to common problems and experienced global art, technology and music.

 

imageDr. Aloysia Schwabe, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, is featured in this week's Meet Your Senator article on the faculty intranet portal. She represents the interests of her department's faculty on the Faculty Senate.

 

imageDr. Peggy Smith, professor of obstetrics and gynecology, was honored with a Congressional proclamation recognizing her positive impact on Houston teens and young adults as longtime director of the Baylor Teen Health Clinic. She was presented the proclamation by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Oct. 17 at the annual Foundation for Teen Health Luncheon, which this year benefited the Teen Health Clinic's Project Bootstrap, which assists young parents with healthcare, education and employment.

 

imageDr. Andreas Tolias, associate professor of neuroscience, Brown Foundation Chair and director of the Center for Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence, is among a multidisciplinary group of principal investigators to receive NIH BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network funding through the Allen Institute for Brain Science to create a comprehensive whole-brain atlas of cell types in the mouse.


College Events

DocTalk: Dr. Shital Patel, assistant professor of medicine – infectious disease, provides a flu update at noon today, Nov. 2, in Conference Room B, Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, McNair Campus. Sign in by 12:15 p.m. to earn 100 BCM BeWell Vitality points.


Social Determinants of Health: Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor and Rice University sponsor "Policy to Practice: The Future of Social Determinants of Health Screening" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at the Pavilion for Women. The conference brings together public health and research experts including Dr. Jean Raphael, associate professor of pediatrics and founding director, Center for Child Health Policy and Advocacy at Texas Children's, who will serve as a moderator. Register online.


Allied Health Week: Nov. 4 - 11 is a great opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of the College’s outstanding alumni and programs in Nurse Anesthesia, Physician Assistant and Orthotics and Prosthetics. It also is a chance to highlight the newest Allied Health Sciences program, Genetic Counseling. To learn about the program and the important role these professionals play in healthcare, stop by the Genetic Counselor Awareness Day table between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, outside the cafeteria at main Baylor.


Alzheimer’s Disease Update: Dr. Joseph Kass, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorder Center, and Dr. Melissa Yu, the center’s associate director and a faculty senator, present an annual update on Alzheimer’s disease, including the latest in research and clinical management of the disease, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. To RSVP, contact (800) 272-3900.


Compassion & the Art of Medicine: Dr. Richard Lyn-Cook, assistant professor of family and community medicine, discusses his experience as a patient after a gunshot injury at noon Friday, Nov. 10, in Cullen Auditorium, main Baylor, as part of the annual series.


The Environment & Your Health: Dr. Cheryl Walker, director of the Center for Precision Environmental Health and Margaret Alkek Presidential Endowed Chair in Environmental Health, and President Paul Klotman speak at the Partnership for BCM Luncheon Series at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Briar Club. Register online.


Women in Science: Dr. Alicia Monroe, provost and senior vice president of academic and faculty affairs, will be honored at the Outstanding Women in Science Seminar Series for her inspiring leadership and significant contributions toward science education and STEM careers promotion. The seminar, award presentation and reception begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, in Cullen Auditorium, main Baylor. RSVP online.


Teamwork in Crisis Management: Explore the essential elements of teamwork in the context of crisis management through the eyes of those who helped shepherd the College through Hurricane Harvey. Learn about specific tools to optimize team performance across a variety of situations. This panel discussion, hosted by Team Launch in collaboration with the Offices of the Provost and Communications, will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Nov. 16 in M323, main Baylor. RSVP requested to teamlaunch@bcm.edu.


Faculty Opportunities

Translational Research & Population Health: The Medical School seeks nominations for an associate course director for this new required course for first-year medical students starting in fall 2018. The course includes a simple project using BCM clinic data. Innovative assistant professors (or faculty of higher rank) with experience conducting patient-centered research and medical education are encouraged to apply for the 0.1 FTE supported position by Dec. 1. For more information, please see Faculty Opportunities webpage.


Faculty Resources

Women in Leadership: The Provost’s office is accepting nominations for the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program at Drexel University. Women faculty members who are interested in professional development and have held the rank of associate professor for at least two years are encouraged to talk with their chair or center director. The nomination deadline for internal review by the BCM ELAM Selection Committee is Monday, Nov. 13. For more information, please see the website.


For a Good Cause

Lab Coats & Scrubs: Turn in your old, clean and uncontaminated garments during the 2nd Annual Lab Coat & Scrubs Recycling Event through Friday, Nov. 3, in Rayzor Hallway, main Baylor.


Get Your Rear in Gear: Help raise awareness about colorectal cancer, the second deadliest cancer killer, with the Colon Cancer Coalition’s race on Saturday, Nov. 4, on the McNair Campus. Events include a timed 5K run, 5K walk and kids’ fun run. Register online for the Baylor Booty Shakers team.


Alex's 5K Run/Walk and Kids' K is Saturday, Nov. 4 at MacGregor Park. This annual fun run raises money for Autism Speaks and Avondale House in memory of Alex Jamrich, son of Dr. Milan Jamrich, professor of molecular and cell biology. The family-friendly event includes a post-race party and lots of kids' activities. Find more information and register online.


Attention Clinicians: See Clinical Calendar

Clinical Conferences

Women's Health & Fetal Medicine: Contemporary updates, controversies and collaborations in perinatal medicine, maternal-fetal surgical intervention, minimally invasive surgery, infectious diseases, prenatal genetics, reproductive psychiatry and medical ethics are among the topics for this conference set for Nov. 10 - 11 at the Hyatt Regency Houston Galleria. Register online by Sunday, Nov. 5.


Surgical Collaboration Day: Dr. Joseph Lamelas, associate chief of cardiothoracic surgery, will deliver the keynote speech, “Innovation in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery,” at the Department of Surgery Incubator event, which also includes quick-fire speakers, surgical speed dating and an exhibit space for new technologies from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at the TMC Innovation Institute. Register now.


Clinical Resources

Flu Shots: Occupational Health is offering the flu vaccine from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, in the 4th Floor Conference Room at Ben Taub Hospital. If you got your shot from Occupational Health, you can obtain your verification through MyOHP. Nov. 30 is the deadline to be vaccinated and submit your online form.


Prostate Cancer CME/CE: Dr. Michael Coburn, professor and chair of urology, moderates the panel discussion in Baylor’s new online CME/CE activity, Contemporary Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer, that focuses on patient-reported disease-specific functional outcomes and health-related quality of life associated with contemporary treatment options for localized prostate cancer. The activity highlights two research studies, published in JAMA earlier this year, that demonstrate a distinct pattern of adverse effects at two to three years after radiation and/or surgical treatment when compared with active surveillance. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute provided funding for this CME/CE activity and the research studies.


Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center has published a physician’s referral directory organized by adult disease-specific multidisciplinary clinics and traditional disciplines with direct contact information for physicians, surgeons and all members of the adult cancer groups. It is now available online. You also may contact any team member or arrange for patient appointments by calling one number: (713) 798-2262.


Attention Researchers: See Research Calendar

Research Symposia

Next-Gen Epigenomics: The Center for Precision Environmental Health hosts a symposium featuring Dr. Jean-Pierre Issa, director of the Fels Institute at Temple, and Dr. Steve Belinsky, vice president of academic research at Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, in addition to leaders in epigenetic research from across the Texas Medical Center, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Nov. 2, in Room M112, main Baylor.


Lupski Symposium: In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Dr. James R. Lupski’s laboratory at the College, colleagues and proteges from across the nation and around the world will present their research from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, in Cullen Auditorium, main Baylor. Lupski is the Cullen Foundation Endowed Chair in Molecular Genetics.


Reproductive Health Research Day: This scientific meeting includes keynote talks and presentations by top reproductive researchers within the United States and the Texas Medical Center on topics such as genome editing, endometriosis, uterine function, men's and women's fertility preservation, pre-implantation and fetal surgery, pediatric cancers, men's health, and much more. The event is set for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Cullen Auditorium and Rayzor Lounge, main Baylor. For more information and to register, go online.


Career Symposium: The Career Development Center sponsors a symposium to highlight the diversity of career choices available to students and fellows. It includes seminars focused on professional skills development and a career panel featuring Baylor alumni showcasing careers in academia, private and public sectors. The symposium concludes with a career fair featuring employers promoting a variety of opportunities across the diverse biomedical research landscape. The event is set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 9, in Rayzor Lounge, main Baylor.


Research Resources

Human Stem Cell Core: This Advanced Technology Core lab provides a wide range of products and services related to human pluripotent stem cell research, as well as hands-on training classes for basic and advanced stem cell culture techniques. The HSCC offers cost-effective solutions to generate and characterize novel induced pluripotent stem cells for in vitro disease modeling, employing “zero footprint” technologies such as Sendai virus-based and episomal vector based reprogramming. The core also offers customized research support for experimental design and validation assays. For more information about any of the cores visit the ATC website.


Funding Opportunities: See the Office of Institutional Diversity, Inclusion and Equity’s list of funding opportunities for research on healthcare disparities and social determinants of health. The Office of Research offers a list of privately funded awards currently accepting applications for October.

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.


Items for Faculty Commons: To submit items for this Thursday email update for Baylor College of Medicine faculty, please contact us.

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