Reporter March 20 2015
New systems biology method may help improve vaccine evaluation
Mar. 23, 2015—Researchers at Vanderbilt University have found a new way to “dissect” the human immune response following influenza vaccination.
Streptococcus virulence involves three-step plasminogen binding
Mar. 20, 2015—Researchers at Vanderbilt have shown for the first time how a component of streptococci A and C bacteria helps spread the virus so rapidly through the body.
Multi-sensory processing model explores autism, schizophrenia
Mar. 19, 2015—There is growing evidence that disorders such as autism and schizophrenia involve deficits in what is called “multi-sensory processing,” the ability of the brain to properly integrate information coming in through the eyes, ears and other senses.
VICC’s Johnson to study cancer survivorship with immune inhibitor drugs
Mar. 19, 2015—Douglas Johnson, M.D., assistant professor of Medicine, has been named a recipient of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Foundation Young Investigator Awards. The two-year grant will provide $150,000 in funding for his research on survivorship among cancer patients who receive drugs called immune checkpoint inhibitors. The formal announcement of the grant awardees was made...
Smith selected as next editor of Journal of Urology
Mar. 19, 2015—Joseph Smith Jr., M.D., professor of Urologic Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, was recently named the next editor of The Journal of Urology. Smith, the William L. Bray Professor of Urology, was selected for the role by the American Urological Association Board of Directors and will work with other editors at the journal to...
Diamond advocates nationally for youth sports health, safety
Mar. 19, 2015—Alex Diamond, D.O., MPH, director of the Program for Injury Prevention in Youth Sports (PIPYS) and assistant professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation and Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, continues to be a national advocate for youth sports safety. Representing the American Academy of Pediatrics, he was part of an 11-person workgroup charged with developing...
VUSM student earns HIV/AIDS fellowship
Mar. 19, 2015—Third-year Vanderbilt University School of Medicine student Ishan Asokan has been selected as an inaugural member of the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) Fellowship for students addressing HIV/AIDS and health disparities.
New research group oversees studies in advanced heart failure
Mar. 19, 2015—Vanderbilt’s Department of Cardiac Surgery has developed an Advanced Heart Failure Clinical and Translational Research Group that serves as a central research resource for advanced heart failure surgeons and cardiologists.
Skaar elected to American Academy of Microbiology
Mar. 19, 2015— Eric Skaar, Ph.D., MPH, the Ernest W. Goodpasture Professor of Pathology, has been elected to fellowship in the American Academy of Microbiology. Skaar is one of seven current Vanderbilt faculty members who are AAM fellows. The 2,400-member academy is an honorific leadership group within the American Society for Microbiology, the world’s oldest and largest...
U.S. Ambassador addresses progress fighting AIDS
Mar. 19, 2015—“Incredible progress” has been made in the fight against AIDS, but in some countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, “this epidemic is ready to get out of control,” U.S. Ambassador-at-Large Deborah Birx, M.D., told a Vanderbilt University audience last week. To illustrate the enormity of the problem, Birx compared AIDS to headline-grabbing Ebola. Since the latest...
Hildreth named Meharry Medical College president
Mar. 19, 2015—James E.K. Hildreth, M.D., has been named president and chief executive officer of Meharry Medical College. He will succeed Anna Cherrie Epps, M.D., who has served as head of the college since 2013. Hildreth is currently the dean of the University of California, Davis College of Biological Sciences. He will take over at Meharry on...
Infection, Immunology Symposium set for April 10 at Student Life Center
Mar. 19, 2015—The Vanderbilt Symposium on Infection and Immunology will be held Friday, April 10, at the Student Life Center. Registration deadline is April 1. Keynote speakers and their topics are: Raul Andino, Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco, “RNA virus population dynamics and the mechanisms of replication and adaptation;” Adrian Erlebacher, M.D., Ph.D., New York University,...
