Our Students

2007 ENTERING CLASS

Tanner Bartholow
Tanner Bartholow graduated from Juniata College in 2007 with a B.S. in Biology. During his undergraduate education, he researched the electrophysiological and morphological properties associated with gastric secretory processes in Necturus maculosus with Jeff Demarest, Ph.D. He also completed a research internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in the Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury. He worked in the lab of Gregory Stahl, Ph.D., and studied complement. Tanner entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the Fall of 2007. In the CSTP, he plans to complete a Master of Science in Clinical Research. His research mentors are Anil Parwani, M.D./Ph.D. and Michael Becich, M.D./Ph.D. His research project involves the analysis of potential immunohistochemical markers for prognosis correlation in patients with prostate cancer metastasis.
Tiffany Behringer
Tiffany Behringer graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2005 with a BA and MS in anthropology. While at Penn, Tiffany performed qualitative research under the auspices of Dr. Fran Barg. Her undergraduate thesis investigated Chinese immigrant women's perceptions of the One-Child Policy and their reproductive decision making. For her master's thesis, Tiffany used participant observation and semi-structured interviewing to better understand the psychosocial experience of female factor infertility and doctor-patient communication in in-vitro fertilization treatment. After college, she spent two years working with Dr. Kevin Volpp on a study examining the impact of the 2003 ACGME work hour rule policy on mortality in the VA and Medicare population. Tiffany entered the University of Pittsburgh in Fall 2007. In the CSTP, she is unsure if she will complete a Masters of Science in Clinical Research or the certificate. Her research mentor is Dr. Matthew Reeves and their research will focus on contraceptive decision making and cost effectiveness in both Pittsburgh and the developing world.
Publications
  1. Volpp KG, Rosen AK, Rosenbaum PR, Romano PS, Even-Shoshan O, Canamucio A, Bellini L, Behringer T, Silber JH. Mortality Among Patients in VA Hospitals in the First 2 Years Following ACGME Resident Duty Hour Reform. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2007 Sept 5;298:984-992.
  2. Volpp KG, Rosen AK, Rosenbaum PR, Romano PS, Even-Shoshan O, Wang Y, Bellini L, Behringer T, Silber JH. Mortality Among Hospitalized Medicare Beneficiaries in the First 2 Years Following ACGME Resident Duty Hour Reform. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2007 Sept 5;298:975-983.
Vanessa Flores
Vanessa Flores was born and raised in Ecuador. She graduated from Rutgers University in Spring 2007 with a BA in Biology and Business Administration. While at Rutgers, Vanessa participated in several research projects including the study of spindle dynamics in rat liver epithelial cells and the effects of Albendazole in microsporidia. At the National Institutes of Health, Vanessa completed three summers of biomedical research at the NIMH and NHLBI where she performed neurobehavioral studies in rhesus monkeys and evaluated the biochemistry/metabolism of NO in rat liver tissue, respectively. In the CSTP, she plans on completing a Master of Science in Clinical Research while earning an MD.  Her research mentor is Dr. Derek Angus, Professor and Chair of the Department of Critical Care Medicine; and their research will focus on initial management of sepsis and septic shock through a large multicenter trial.  Her current project investigates the differences of informed consent amongst participating sites enrolled in a multicenter septic shock study (ProCESS).
Presentations
  1. Poster Presentation: Flores V (presenter), Raghavachari N, Gladwin M. "Evaluation of the performance of single round amplification technique for microarray analysis using Messageamp II biotin enhanced amplification," NIH Summer Poster Session, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD. August, 2007
Ezra Mirvish
Ezra Mirvish graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2005 with a BA Molecular and Cell Biology. Thereafter, he worked in the lab of Burt Feuerstein at UCSF/Barrow Neurological Institute, studying the genetics of high grade astrocytic brain tumors. Ezra entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the CSTP in Fall 2007. His research mentors are Larisa Geskin, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, and Louis Falo, MD, PhD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Dermatology. Their research focuses upon molecular mechanisms of and therapeutic strategies for treating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. In the CSTP Ezra plans to complete a Master of Science in clinical research.
Naomi Pitskel
Naomi Pitskel graduated from Brandeis University in 2005 with a BS in Neuroscience. While attending Brandeis, she worked for three years with Ann Skoczenski, PhD at the University of Massachusetts Medical School studying visual development and dyslexia, where she also conducted a senior research project on visual processing in adults with autism. After college, she worked for two years with Dr. Alvaro Pascual-Leone at Harvard Medical School investigating cortical plasticity in the visual cortex of human subjects undergoing long-term visual deprivation. Naomi entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2007. In the CSTP, she plans to complete a Master of Science in Clinical Research. Her research mentor is Kevin Pelphrey, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University and Principal Investigator with the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Excellence in Autism Research, and their research will focus on the neural bases of social cognition in adults and children with autism.
Publications
  1. Pitskel NB, Merabet LB, Ramos-Estebanez C, Kauffman, T, Pascual-Leone A. Time-dependent effects of prolonged visual deprivation on cortical excitability of the visual cortex. NeuroReport. 2007;18:1703-7.
  2. Valle AC, Dionisio K, Pitskel NB, Pascual-Leone A, Orsati F, Ferreira MJ, Boggio PS, Lima MC, Rigonatti SP, & Fregni F. Low and high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of spasticity. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 2007;49:534-8.
  3. Merabet LB, Pitskel NB, Amedi A, Pascual-Leone A. The plastic human brain in blind individuals: the cause of disability and the opportunity for rehabilitation. Blindness and brain plasticity in navigation and object perception. Reiser JJ, Ashmead DH, Ebner FF, & Corn AL, eds. New York, NY:Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2008.
Sarah Ramer
Sarah Ramer graduated from Harvard College in 2003 with an AB in folklore and mythology specializing in Chinese studies. Though she originally didn't plan on a career in medicine, her first job out of college, as a clinical research coordinator at the Massachusetts General Hospital Pediatric Psychopharmacology Unit, convinced her that she wanted to become a doctor. She then took her premedical courses at Harvard Extension School while also working as an interviewer on an NIH-funded study of massage for symptom relief in patients with metastatic cancer at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Most recently, Sarah ran several pre-marketing trials of new compounds for diabetic nephropathy under Dr. Mark Williams at Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. Sarah entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in fall 2007. In the CSTP she plans to pursue a master of science in clinical research. With her mentors, Mark Unruh, MD, MSc, assistant professor of medicine, and Anne Germain, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry, she is studying predictors and correlates of event-related emotional distress in patients with kidney disease.
Susan Shyu
Susan Shyu graduated from the University of Maryland-College Park in the spring of 2007 with a BS in Biochemistry. While attending the University of Maryland, she worked all 4 years of her undergraduate experience under Dr. Kenneth Frauwirth in the Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics. Her project was to study the correlation between the tyrosine kinase fyn and anergy in T lymphocytes. Susan entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the fall of 2007. In the CSTP, she plans to complete a Master of Science in Clinical Research.
Niketa Williams
Niketa Williams graduated from Brown University in 2005 with a ScB in Human Biology and an AB in Africana Studies. After graduation, under the direction of Dr. Mark Lurie, she conducted a qualitative study to assess barriers to HIV testing and treatment services among HIV-positive patients in rural South Africa. Niketa entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the Fall of 2007, and in the CSTP, she plans to complete a Masters of Science in clinical research. Her research mentors are Dr. Sharon Hillier, Director of Reproductive Infectious Disease Research at Magee-Women's Hospital, and Dr. Aletha Akers; their research will focus on better understanding participant motivations for, expectations of, and experiences with microbicide clinical trials in Sub-Saharan Africa.

2006 ENTERING CLASS

J'mir Cousar
J'mir L. Cousar graduated from the University of Rochester in Spring 2006 with a BS in Neuroscience. While at Rochester, J'mir dedicated himself to a diverse array of research projects including cyclooxygenase inhibition in mice prior to traumatic brain injury, the expression of hemeoxygenase1 in pediatric trauma patients and diabetic quality care research among family practice physicians. A Pittsburgh native, J'mir returned in the Fall of 2006 to attend the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. In the CSTP, he plans on completing a Master of Science in clinical research while earning an MD. His research mentors are Robert Clark, MD, Associate Director of Molecular Biology at the Safar Center for Resuscitation Research and Yvette Conley, RN, PhD. Their research focuses on genetic variation in proteins related to outcomes after traumatic brain injury.
Publications
  1. Cousar JL, Lai Y, Marco CD, Bayir H, Adelson PD, Janesko-Feldman KL, Kochanek PM, Clark RS. Heme oxygenase 1 in cerebrospinal fluid from infants and children after sever traumatic brain injury. Developmental Neuroscience. 2006 Mar;28(4-5):342-7.
Presentations
  1. Poster Presentation: Sarniak A, Cousar JL, Conley Y, Clark RS. "Polymorphism of p-glycoprotein May Impact Outcome in TBI," abstract accepted and poster presented at University of Pittsburgh Dean's Summer Symposium, Pittsburgh, PA, October 2007.
Lara Cox
Lara J. Cox graduated in May 2006 from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. She received a B.A. with high honors in neuroscience and with distinction in psychology. Throughout her four years at Kenyon, she conducted a variety of research in cognitive psychology and behavioral neuroscience, including independent research on the effects of methylphenidate on social behavior and ultrasonic vocalizations in rats. Lara entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the fall of 2006. In addition to her M.D., she plans to complete a Master's of Science in Clinical Research. Her research mentor is Dr. David A. Brent, Endowed Chair of Suicide Studies and Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Epidemiology. Their research focuses on the risk factors for self-injurious behavior in the offspring of mood-disordered parents.
Elizabeth Genovese
Elizabeth Genovese graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2006 with a BS in Preprofessional Studies and a minor in Gender Studies. While attending Notre Dame she studied for two years under Dr. JoEllen Welsh, participating in research on the use of natural and synthetic Vitamin D as a treatment for breast cancer. Elizabeth entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the fall of 2006. In addition to earning her MD, Elizabeth will complete a Master of Science in clinical research. Her primary research mentor is Dr. Mary Amanda-Dew, Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology & Epidemiology and her co-mentor is Dr. Robert Kormos, Professor of Surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, Medical Director of McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and UPMC Artificial Heart and Thoracic Transplant Program. Their research focuses on the potential predictors of adverse events that are likely to occur during the first two months following implant of a ventricular assist device in patients with end-stage heart failure.
Presentations
  1. Poster Presentations: Genovese EA, Dew MA, Simon MA, Teuteberg JJ, Kay J, Siegenthaler MP, Bhama JK, Kormos RL. "Cumulative Incidence and Pattern of Adverse Events in the First 60 Days Post Ventricular Assist Device Implantation," presented at the Gordon Research Conference on Assisted Circulation, Big Sky, MT, August 19-24, 2007, and at University of Pittsburgh Science 2007, Pittsburgh, PA, October 12, 2007.
  2. Poster Presentation: Genovese EA, Dew MA, Simon MA Teuteberg JT, KayJ, Siegenthaler MP, Bhama JK, Bermudez C, Lockard KL, Winowich S and Kormos RL. "Cumulative Incidence and Pattern of Adverse Events in the First 60 Days Post Ventricular Assist Device Implantation" presented in April 9-12 2008 at the Inernation Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation 28th Annual meeting and Scientific Sessions in Boston, MA.
Honors and Awards
  1. Travel Award, Gordon Research Conference on Assisted Circulation, August 2007.
  2. Merit Award for Excellence in Biomedical Science Research, University of Pittsburgh, September 2007.
Brian Lau
Brian Lau graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2006 with a BS in Neurobiology and Physiology. While attending Maryland, he worked on several projects under Drs. Lance Liotta, Mark Lowenthal, and David Roberts in the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. He sequenced and identified low-density protein biomarkers as an early diagnostic tool for ovarian and lung cancers. Brian entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the Fall of 2006. In the CSTP, he plans to complete a Master of Science in clinical research. His research mentor is Dr. Mark Lovell, Director of UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program. Their research focuses on the use of neuropsychological testing and self-reported symptoms following concussions to better classify and treat concussions.
Erin Ohmann
Erin L. Ohmann graduated from Cornell University in Spring 2004 with a BS in Food Science. She worked for 2 years as a research assistant and coordinator of genetic studies of dystonia and Parkinson's disease with Drs. Susan Bressman and Rachel Saunders-Pullman and Deborah Raymond, MS at Beth Israel Medical Center, New York. She entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2006. In the CSTP, she plans to complete a Master of Science in clinical research in the effectiveness, outcomes, and quality research track. Her primary research mentor is Dr. Steven A. Webber, Medical Director of Pediatric Heart and Heart-Lung Transplantation, and their research will focus on optimizing outcome after pediatric heart transplantation.
Publications
  1. Ozelius LJ, Senthil G, Saunders-Pullman R, Ohmann E, Deligtisch A, Tagliati M, Hunt AL, Klein C, Henick B, Hailpern SM, Lipton RB, Soto-Valencia J, Risch N, Bressman SB. LRRK2 G2019S as a cause of Parkinson's disease in Ashkenazi Jews. New England Journal of Medicine. 2006 Jan 26;354(4):424-5.
  2. Saunders-Pullman R, Raymond D, Senthil G, Kramer P, Ohmann E, Deligtisch A, Shanker V, Greene P, Tabamo R, Huang N, Tagliati M, Kavanagh P, Soto-Valencia J, Aguiar Pde C, Risch N, Ozelius L, Bressman S. Narrowing the DYT6 dystonia region and evidence for locus heterogeneity in the Amish-Mennonites. American Journal of Medical Genetics. 2007 Sep 15;143(18):2098-105.
Presentations
  1. Oral Presentation: Ohmann EL, Burckart GJ, Chen Y, Pravica V, Girnita DM, Brooks MM, Mowrey DW, Zeevi A, Webber SA. "Impact of Inosine 5'-Monophosphate Dehydrogenase 1/2 and Multidrug Resistance Protein 2 Genetic Polymorphisms on Mycophenolate Mofetil Related Adverse Events in Pediatric Heart Transplant Patients," presented at Science 2007 University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, October 8, 2007, at ISHLT 28th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions, Philip K. Caves Award Candidate Presentations, Boston, MA, April 11, 2008, and at the 36th Annual ODICH Meeting, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, April 18, 2008.
  2. Poster Presentations: Ohmann E, Burckart GLJ, Chen Y, Pravica V, Girnita DM, Brooks MM, Mowrey DW, Zeevi A, Webber SA. "Impact of Inosine 5’-Monophosphate Dehydrogenase 1/2 and Multidrug Resistance Protein 2 Genetic Polymorphisms on Mycophenolate Mofetil Related Adverse Events in Pediatric Heart Transplant Patients," presented at Science 2007 University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, October 12, 2007, and at AMA-MSS 5th Annual Joint Research Poster Symposium, Honolulu, HI, November 9, 2007.
Honors and Awards
  1. Arthur Mirsky Student Research Award, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Summer Research Program Symposium, 2007.
Rebecca Pomerantz
Rebecca (Reva) Pomerantz graduated from Harvard College in Spring 2006 with an A.B. in Linguistics. In high school and college she worked on multiple research projects at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, studying head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with Dr. Jennifer Grandis and the treatment of depression during pregnancy with Dr. Katherine Wisner. In college, Rebecca did her senior thesis work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she studied the speech production of cochlear implant users. A Pittsburgh native, she returned to the city in Fall 2006 to attend the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. In the CSTP, Rebecca plans to complete a Master of Science in clinical research. Her research mentors are Larisa Geskin, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, and Louis Falo, MD, PhD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Dermatology. Their research focuses upon diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
Publications
  1. Chirinos RE, Pomerantz RG, JukicDM, Geskin LJ. Systemic antineoplastic and/or immune modulating drugs induce high CD30 expression in skin lesions (abstract). Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2007 Apr;127S:S14.
  2. Pomerantz RG, Husni ME, Mody E, Qureshi AA. Adalimumab for treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum. British Journal of Dermatology. In press.
  3. Pomerantz RG, Kupper TS, Qureshi AA. Immunomodulation in Dermatology. Therapy of Skin Diseases, Krieg T, Bickers D, Miyachi Y, eds. 2008. In press.
  4. Pomerantz RG, Chirinos RE, Falo LD Jr, Geskin LJ. Acitretin for treatment of EGFR inhibitor-induced cutaneous toxic effects. Arch Dermatol. 2008 Jul;144(7):949-50.
Presentations
  1. Poster Presentation: Pomerantz RG, Mody E, Qureshi AA. "Follow-up of psoriatic arthritis mutilans patients treated with anti-TNF-a therapy," presented at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting, Washington, D.C., February 2, 2007.
  2. Poster Presentation: Chirinos RE (presenter), Pomerantz RG, Jukic DM, Geskin LJ. "Systemic antineoplastic and/or immune modulating drugs induce high CD30 expression in skin lesions," presented at the Society for Investigative Dermatology annual meeting, Los Angeles, CA, May 11, 2007.

2005 ENTERING CLASS

Neilly Ann Buckalew
Neilly Ann Buckalew graduated from Dartmouth College in 1991with a BA in Anthropology and Environmental Studies, and certification in elementary education. Ms. Buckalew also holds a Master degree in environmental law and attended Vermont Law School as the first Native American Environmental Law Fellow and as an Institute for the Study of World Politics fellow. For over seven years, Ms. Buckalew was a consultant on environmental health issues and toxic waste clean-up for Native American Tribal governments throughout the country. She entered University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2005 and had been practicing as a licensed Naturopathic Physician four years prior. In the CSTP, Ms. Buckalew plans to complete a Master of Science in clinical research in the Translational Research track. Her primary research mentor is Dr. Debra Weiner, Director of the Older Adult Pain Management program at the Pain Evaluation and Treatment Institute at the University of Pittsburgh. Their research focuses upon new assessment tools including neuroimaging for understanding the impact of chronic pain in older adults and using their findings to inform the development of more effective treatment regimens. Ms. Buckalew is the recent recipient of an NIH training grant award from the National Institute of Aging under the guidance of Dr. Studenski.
Publications
  1. Buckalew N, Haut MW, Morrow L, Weiner D. Chronic pain is associated with brain volume loss in older adults: preliminary evidence. Pain Medicine. In press.
Presentations
  1. Poster Presentation: Buckalew N, Haut MW, Morrow L, and Weiner D. "Chronic pain is associated with brain volume loss in older adults: preliminary evidence," abstract accepted and poster presented at Clinical and Translational Science Day, Pittsburgh, PA, May 17, 2007.
Alison Goldberg Rubin
Alison Goldberg Rubin graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2001 with a BA in English Literature and Psychology. She worked as a Research Associate with Drs. Charles Irwin and Mary-Ann Shafer for 3 years at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, focusing on STD screening and prevention among adolescents. She entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2005 after completing a post-baccalaureate premedical program at Scripps College. In the CSTP, she plans to complete a Master of Science in clinical research in the health and behavior track. Her research mentors are Dr. Melanie Gold, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, and Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences. Alison has completed one project on the relationship between adolescent depression and sexual risk behavior, and recently initiated a new project to study the access and barriers to emergency contraception in the adolescent population.
Publications
  1. Goldberg AD, Chiappetta L, Gold MA. The relationship between depressive symptoms and risk-taking behavior in female adolescents (abstract). Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. April 2007;20(2):S131.
Presentations
  1. Poster Presentations: Goldberg AD, Chiappetta L, Gold MA. "The relationship between depressive symptoms and risk-taking behavior in female adolescents," presented at Science 2006, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, October 2006, and at the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Atlanta, GA, April 2007 (presenter MA Gold).
Honors and Awards
  1. Sally E. Perlman Award for Best Poster, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, April 2007.
Emily Spangler
Emily Spangler graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2005 with a BS in Physics. She entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2005. In the CSTP, Emily plans to complete a Master of Science in Clinical Research in the Effectiveness, Outcomes and Quality Research track.. She conducted research with Brian Chapman, PhD, Research Assistant Professor of Radiology, focusing on high resolution magnetic resonance imaging of carotid plaques between MS-I and MS-II. Her current research mentor is Kim Sutton-Tyrrell, DrPH, Professor and Vice Chair for Academics, Department of Epidemiology, with whom she is studying vascular aging epidemiology using data from the Health Aging and Body Composition study.
Publications
  1. Spangler EL, Brown C, Roberts JA, Chapman BE. Evaluation of Internal Carotid Artery Segmentation by InsightSNAP. Proceedings of SPIE. 2007;6512:65123F.
Honors and Awards
  1. Medical Student Award for presentation of "Adventitial Cystic Disease of the Popliteal Artery: Angioplasty Resulting in Thrombosis," Eastern Vascular Society, 2007.

2004 ENTERING CLASS

Laura Raducha-Grace
Laura Raducha-Grace graduated from Wesleyan University in 2003 with a BA in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. She entered University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2004 after working for one year as a Cancer Research Training Award-post baccalaureate student in Dr. Mike Kuehl's lab at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, where she worked on a project characterizing the role of p18 in Multiple Myeloma cell lines. In the CSTP, Laura plans to complete a Master of Science in clinical research in the effectiveness, outcomes, and quality research track. Her research mentor is Dr. Kent Kwoh, Professor of Rheumatology, and their research focuses on knee pain localization in knee osteoarthritis.
Publications
  1. Dib A, Peterson TR, Raducha-Grace L, Zingone A, Zhan F, Hanamura I, Barlogie B, Shaughnessy J Jr, Kuehl WM. Paradoxical expression of INK4c in proliferative multiple myeloma tumors: bi-allelic deletion vs increased expression. Cell Division. 2006 Oct 18;1:23.
  2. Hickman M, McCullough K, Woike A, Raducha-Grace L, Rozario T, Dula ML, Anderson E, Margalit D, Holmes SG. Isolation and characterization of conditional alleles of the yeast SIR2 gene. Journal of Molecular Biology. 2007 Apr 13;367(5):1246-57.
  3. Raducha-Grace L, Boudreau R, Hannon M, Newman A, Nevitt M, Chu, C, Kwoh CK for the OAI Investigators. The knee pain map: reliability of a method of pain localization in knee osteoarthritis. Submitted to OAI publications, 2008.
Presentations
  1. Poster Presentation: Raducha-Grace L, Kwoh CK. "The Knee Pain Map: Pain localization in Knee Osteoarthritis," abstract accepted and poster presented at the American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, May 3-7, 2006.
  2. Oral Presentation: Raducha-Grace L, Boudreau R, Hannon M, Newman A, Nevitt M, Kwoh CK for the OAI Investigators. “The Knee Pain Map: Pain Localization in Knee Osteoarthritis, Ancillary study to the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI).” Presented at the Osteoarthritis Research Society International Annual Meeting, December 6-9, 2007.
  3. Poster presentation: Raducha-Grace L, Boudreau R, Hannon M, Newman A, Nevitt M, Chu C, Kwoh CK for the OAI Investigators. “Psychosocial and demographic predictors of concordant pain patterns in Osteoarthritis Initiative study participants with bilateral knee pain.” Presented at the American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, April 30 - May 4, 2008.
Deborah Kowalchuk
Deborah Kowalchuk graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2003 with a BA in Biology. She entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2004 after working for one year as a clinical research assistant at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where she worked with Dr. David R. Jobes to determine the adverse events related to coagulation during cardiac catheterization and with Dr. John G. Augoustides to determine the adverse events after lung transplants. In the CSTP, Deborah plans to complete a Master of Science in clinical research in the effectiveness, outcomes, and quality research track. Her research mentor is Dr. James Irrgang, Director of Clinical Research, Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Their research focuses on developing a clinical prediction rule for determining outcome of partial meniscectomy in older patients with a meniscus tear.
Publications
  1. Augoustides JG, Horak J, Ochroch AE, Vernick WJ, Gambone AJ, Weiner J, Pinchasik D, Kowalchuk D, Savino JS, Jobes DR. A randomized controlled clinical trial of real-time needle-guided ultrasound for internal jugular venous cannulation in a large university anesthesia department. Journal of Cardiothoracic & Vascular Anesthesia. 2005; 19(3):310-5.
  2. Pochettino A, Augoustides JG, Kowalchuk DA, Watcha SM, Cowie D, Jobes DR. Cardiopulmonary bypass for lung transplantation in cystic fibrosis: pilot evaluation of perioperative outcome. Journal of Cardiothoracic & Vascular Anesthesia. 2007; 21(2): 208-11.
Presentations
  1. Poster Presentation: Kowalchuk DA, Seikya JK, Harner CD, Fu FH, Irrgang JJ. "Prediction of Patient-Oriented Outcome After ACL Reconstruction," presented at the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, 2007.
Maria De La Luz Nieto

Maria De La Luz Nieto graduated from Wesleyan University in 2000 with a BA in Neuroscience and Behavior. Luz entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Medical School in 2004 after working as a Clinical Research Associate for 1½ with Dr. Robert Gish at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco coordinating Phase II, III and IV studies in patients with Hepatitis B, C and HIV co-infected patients. Previously, she had worked for two years with Dr. Woodrow Weiss as a Clinical Research Associate at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston investigating the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. In the CSTP, Luz plans to complete a Certificate in clinical research. Her research mentor is Dr. Steven Albert, Professor of Behavioral & Community Health Sciences, and their research focuses on determining the cognitive and physical basis of independence in older people.

Publications:
  1. Nieto ML, Albert SM, Morrow LA, Saxton J. Cognitive Status and Physical Function in Older African Americans. JAGS in press.
Presentations:
  1. Poster Presentation: Nieto ML “Cognitive Predictors of Physical Function in Older African Americans,” presented at the American Medical Student Association Conference, March 2008.
  2. Poster Presentation: Nieto ML “Cognitive Predictors of Physical Function in Older African Americans,” presented at the 2008 American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, May 2008.
  3. Poster Presentation: Nieto ML “Cognitive Predictors of Physical Function in Older African Americans,” presented at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine Sixth Annual Research Day, May 2008.
Awards:
  1. David C. Martin Award, 2008.
  2. AGS Foundation for Health in Aging's new “Sponsor and Mentor A Student” Program Award, 2008.
  3. Kaiser Permanente Northern California scholarship in recognition of achievements in the areas of community leadership and population-based research, 2008.
Meredith Parrott
Meredith Parrott graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2004 with a BS in Nutritional Sciences. She entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2004 after studying the effects of diet and exercise on reproduction and metabolism in college-aged women for 3 years during college with Dr. Nancy I. Williams. In the CSTP, Meredith completed a Certificate in clinical research. Her research mentor is Dr. James M. Roberts, Professor and Vice Chair of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences. Their research focuses on the adapation of the placenta to changes in nutrient environment in normal pregnancies and those complicated by preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Meredith has also been working with Dr. Lisa M. Bodnar, a nutritional epidemiologist, studying the effects of maternal cereal consumption on micronutrient adequacy in the periconceptional period, as well as the relationship between prenatal nutrition and potential birth outcomes.
Publications
  1. Parrott MS, vonVersen-Hoeynck F, Ness RB, Markovic N, Roberts J. System A amino acid transporter activity in term placenta is substrate specific and inversely related to amino acid concentration. Reproductive Sciences. 2007 Oct;14(7):687-693.
Presentations
  1. Poster Presentations: Snook ML, Powers RW, Shibata E, Roberts JM. "Reduced amino acid availability increases amino acid uptake by normal placentas," presented at Science 2005, Pittsburgh, PA, October 2005, and at the Society for Gynecologic Investigation meeting, Toronto, Ontario, March 2006.
  2. Poster Presentation: Parrott MS, vonVersen-Hoeynck F, Ness RB, Markovic N, Roberts J. "Enhanced placental system A amino acid transporter activity with amino acid limitation is substrate specific," presented at the Society for Gynecologic Investigation meeting, Reno, NV, March 2007.
  3. Poster Presentation: Parrott MS, Bodnar LM, Simhan HN, Harger G, Markovic N, Roberts JM. "Regular cereal consumption is associated with meeting micronutrient needs in pregnancy," presented at Clinical and Translational Science Day, Pittsburgh, PA, May 2007.

Graduates

H. Patrick Driscoll
H. Patrick Driscoll graduated from Washington and Lee in 2000 with a BA in philosophy. He entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine after completing a premed post-baccalaureate program at Goucher College and working for two years as a Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award fellow at the NIH with Dr. Robert M. Brosh in the Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology at the National Institute on Aging studying biochemical characterization of key DNA helicase proteins associated with aging and genomic stability. Patrick graduated with an MD/MS in clinical research in 2008, having completed mentored clinical research with Dr. Charles F. Reynolds, Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Neuroscience on clinical and treatment response variability in late-life major depression. He is currently a resident in psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.
Publications
  1. Sharma S, Sommers JA, Driscoll HC, Uzdilla L, Wilson TM, Brosh RM. The exonucleolytic and endonucleolytic cleavage activities of human exonuclease are stimulated by an interaction with the C-terminal region of the Werner Syndrome protein. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2003, Jun; 278(26):23487-23496.
  2. Driscoll HC, Matson SW, Sayer JM, Kroth H, Jerina DM., Brosh RM. Inhibition of Werner syndrome helicase activity by benzo[c]phenanthrene diol epoxide dA adducts in DNA is both strand-and stereoisomer-dependent. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2003, Oct;278(42):41126-41135.
  3. Sharma S, Otterlei M, Sommers JA, Driscoll HC, Dianov GL, Kao HI, Bambara RA, Brosh RM. WRN helicase and FEN-1 form a complex upon replication arrest and together process branchmigrating DNA structures associated with the replication fork. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 2004, Feb; 15(2):734-750.
  4. Driscoll HC, Basinski J, Mulsant BH, Butters MA, Dew MA, Houck PR, Mazumdar S, Miller MD, Pollock BG, Stack JA, Schlernitzauer MA, Reynolds CF. Late-onset major depression: clincal and treatment response variability. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2005, Jul; 20(7):661-667.
  5. Driscoll HC, Karp JF, Dew MA, Reynolds CF. Getting better, getting well: understanding and managing partial and non-response to pharmacological treatment of non-psychotic major depression in old age. Drugs & Aging. 2007, Oct; 24(10):801-814.
  6. Driscoll HC, Serody L, Patrick S, Maurer J, Bensasi S, Houck PR, Mazumdar S, Nofzinger EA, Bell B, Nebes RD, Miller MD, Reynolds CF. Sleeping well, aging well: a descriptive and cross-sectional study of sleep in 'successful agers' 75 and older. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. In press.
Alvin Jones
Alvin Jones graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2003 with a BS in Biological Sciences. He entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2003 after working as a summer intern with the Center for Minority Health in the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh. Alvin graduated with an MD/MS in clinical research in 2008, having completed mentored clinical research with Dr. C. Kent Kwoh, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, and Dr. Said Ibrahim, Associate Professor of Medicine on the provider-level factors contributing to the health disparities seen in lower extremity joint replacement. He is currently a general surgery resident at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, North Carolina.
Publications
  1. Jones A, Kwoh CK, Kelley ME, Ibrahim SA. Racial Disparity in Knee Arthroplasty Utilization in the Veterans Health Administration. Arthritis Care and Research. 2005;53:979-981.
  2. Emejuaiwe N, Jones A, Ibrahim SA, Kwoh CK. Disparities in Joint Replacement Utilization: A Quality of Care Issue. Submitted to Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology May 16, 2007.
  3. Jones AC, Kwoh CK, Groeneveld PW, Mor M, Ging M, Ibrahim SA. Investigationg Racial Differences in Coping with Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain. Submitted to Journal Of Cross Cultural Gerontology October 8, 2007.
  4. Jones AC, Ibrahim SA, Hannon MJ, Boudreau RM, Newman AB, Nevitt MC, Harris TB, Carbone L, Kwoh CK. Physician-Patient Communication and Referral for Total Joint Replacement: The Health ABC Study. A manuscript in progress.
Presentations
  1. Poster Presentation: "Disparities in utilization of total knee arthroplasty in African-American men," presented at the Osteoarthritis Research Society International 9th World Congress, 2005.
  2. Poster Presentation: "Doctor-Patient communication and referral for total joint replacement: the Health ABC study," presented at Clinical and Translational Science Day, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 2007.
  3. Poster Presentation: "Prayer is more important to blacks than whites in coping with chronic osteoarthritis pain," presented at VA Health Services Research and Development National Meeting, 2007.
Nima Naghshineh
Nima Naghshineh graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2003 with a BS Biomedical Engineering and Psychology. He entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2003 after conducting research in cardioelectrophysiology and tissue repair as well as in thoracic oncology outcomes research during college. Nima graduated with an MD/MS in clinical research in 2008, having completed mentored clinical research with Dr. J. Peter Rubin, Assistant Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Kathleen McTigue, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, and Dr. Anita Courcoulas, Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Section of Minimally Invasive Bariatric and General Surgery on metabolic changes associated with bariatric and body-contouring surgery. He is currently a plastic surgery resident at the University of Pittsburgh.
Publications
  1. Sajjadian A, Naghshineh N, Rofagha R, Tobin GR, Stadelmann W. Lip Reconstruction. Plastic Surgery: emedicine/WebMD, Ketch L, Talavera F, Newsome RE, Slenkovich N, Aly A, eds. 2007.
  2. Sajjadian A, Naghshineh N, Magge KT, Kassir R, Nachlas NE, Rofagha R. Nasal Reconstruction. Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery: emedicine/WebMD, Faust RA, Talavera F, Dorion D, Slack CL, Meyers AD, eds. 2007.
  3. Sajjadian A, Rubinstein R, Naghshineh N. Grafts and Implants in Rhinoplasty, Part I: Autologous Grafts. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In press.
  4. Rubinstein R, Naghshineh N, Sajjadian A. Grafts and Implants in Rhinoplasty, Part II: Homologous Grafts and Allogenic Implants. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In press.
  5. Naghshineh N, McTigue K, Courcoulas A, Fernstrom M, Rubin JP. Nutritional Assessment of Post-Bariatric Surgery Body-Contouring Candidates: A Prospective Analysis. Submitted to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2007.
  6. Naghshineh N, McTigue K, Courcoulas A, Fernstrom M, Rubin JP. The Psychosocial and Physical Functioning Status of Post-Gastric Bypass Body-Contouring Patients. Submitted to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2007.
  7. Naghshineh N, Ota K, Tang L, O'Toole J, Rubin JP. A Double-Blind Controlled Trial of Polyglytone 6211 vs Poliglecaprone 25 for use in Body-Contouring. Submitted to Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2007.
Presentations
  1. Poster Presentation: Naghshineh N, Hooker CM, Mason D, Brahmer J, Yung RC, Baylin S, Herman JG, Yang, SC, Brock MV. "Lung cancer in Patients 40 years of age and younger: How much is smoking to blame?" presented at SBAS Conference, April 2005.
  2. Poster Presentation: Naghshineh N, McTigue K, Courcoulas A, Fernstrom M, Rubin JP. "Nutritional and Metabolic Status of Post-Gastric Bypass Body-Contouring Patients," presented at NAASO, The Obesity Society, October 2007.
  3. Poster Presentation: Naghshineh N, McTigue K, Courcoulas A, Fernstrom M, Rubin JP. "Psychosocial and Physical Functioning Status of Post-Gastric Bypass Body-Contouring Patients," presented at NAASO, The Obesity Society, October 2007.
Kristen Scopaz
Kristen Scopaz graduated from Dartmouth College in 2000 with a BA in Biology modified with engineering. Kristen entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2003 after working for two years as a clinical research assistant with Dr. Frank Haluska at Massachusetts General Hospital in the field of melanoma research and treatment. Kristen graduated with an MD/MS in clinical research in 2008, having completed mentored clinical research with Dr. Kelley Fitzgerald, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, on osteoarthritis rehabilitation, including determinants of successful rehabilitation. She is currently a family medicine resident at the University of Pittsburgh.
Presentations
  1. Poster Presentation: Scopaz KA, Piva SR, Fitzgerald GK. "The Mediating Effect of Knee Pain on the Relationship of Biobehavioral Factors to Function in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis (abstract)," presented at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatologic Health Professionals Annual Scientific Meeting, Boston, MA, November 6-11, 2007.
Arun Sharma
Arun Sharma graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2003 with a BA in Biology and History of Science. He entered University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2003 after studying molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of tight junctions and cellular polarity as Dr. Ann Hubbard's research assistant while in college. Arun graduated with an MD/MS in clinical research in 2008, having completed mentored clinical research with Dr. David Whitcomb, Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, on genetic and immunologic determinants of severity and outcome of acute pancreatitis. He is currently an otolaryngology resident at the University of Washington.
Publications
  1. Papachristou GI, Clermont G, Sharma A, Yadav D, Whitcomb DC. Risk and Markers of Severe Acute Pancreatitis. Pancreatic Diseases, an Issue of Gastroenterology Clinics. 2007;36:277-296.
  2. Braiterman LT, Heffernan S, Nyasae L, Johns D, See AP, Yutzy R, McNickle A, Herman M, Sharma A, Naik UP, Hubbard AL. JAM-A is both essential and inhibitory to development of hepatic polarity in WIF-B cells. American Journal of Physiology Gastrointestinal Liver Physiology. 2008 Feb;294(2):G576-88.
  3. Sharma A, Wayne S, Nikiforova MN, Johnson JT, Walvekar RR. Two sites of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: utility of loss of heterozygosity. Annals of Otology Rhinology and Laryngology. Accepted and in press.
  4. Sharma A, Ruscetta MN, Chi DH. Ophthalmologic findings in children with sensorineural hearing loss. Archives of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Sugery. Accepted and in press.
Presentations
  1. Oral Presentation: Sharma A, Adipokines. "Obesity, and Severe Acute Pancreatitis," presented at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Board of Visitors, Pittsburgh, PA, 2007.
  2. Poster Presentation: Sharma A, Lamb J, Corrado K, Kandula L, Lowe ME, Avula H, Slivka A, Barmada MM, Whitcomb DC, Papachristou GI. "TNF-a polymorphisms increase the risk of acute pancreatitis," presented at Digestive Disease Week, Washington, D.C., 2007, and at University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine Research Day, Pittsburgh, PA 2007.
  3. Poster Presentation: Sharma A, Lamb J, Muddana V, Whitcomb DC, Papachristou GI. "Visfatin polymorphisms and elevated BMI interact to increase the susceptibility to acute pancreatitis," University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine Research Day, Pittsburgh, PA, 2007.
  4. Poster Presentation: Sharma A, Ruscetta MN, Chi DH. “Ophthalmologic findings in children with sensorineural hearing loss,” presented at the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, 2008.
  5. Poster Presentation: Muddana V, Sharma A, Lamb J, Slivka A, Whitcomb DC, Papachristou GI. “The IL-6 -174 G/G genotype increases susceptibility to acute pancreatitis (AP) in obese subjects,” presented at Digestive Disease Week, San Diego, CA, 2008.
  6. Poster Presentation: Sharma A, Muddana V, Lamb J, Slivka A, Whitcomb DC, Papachristou GI. “Visfatin polymorphisms and elevated BMI interact to increase the susceptibility to acute pancreatitis,” presented at Digestive Disease Week, San Diego, CA, 2008.
Honors and Awards
  1. University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine Research Day Poster Award for "Visfatin polymorphisms and elevated BMI interact to increase the susceptibility to acute pancreatitis," 2007.
Ann Silk
Ann Silk graduated from Swarthmore College in 2001 with a BA in Biology. Ann entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2003 after working for 2 years as clinical research coordinator for ovarian cancer clinical trials conducted by Dr. Ursula Matulonis and Dr. Susana Campos at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Ann graduated with an MD/MS in clinical research in 2008, having completed mentored clinical research with Dr. Olivera Finn, Chair of the Department of Immunology, on the immunology of gastrointestinal tumors. She is currently an internal medicine resident at the University of Pittsburgh.
Publications
  1. Hodi FS, Mihm MC, Soiffer RJ, Haluska FG, Butler M, Seiden MV, Davis T, Henry-Spires R, MacRae S, Willman A, Padera R, Jaklitsch MT, Shankar S, Chen TC, Korman A, Allison JP, Dranoff G. Biologic activity of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 antibody blockade in previously vaccinated metastatic melanoma and ovarian carcinoma patients. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2003;100(8):4712-4717.
  2. Penson RT, Campos SM, Seiden MV, Krasner C, Fuller AF Jr, Goodman A, Roche M, Willman A, Muzikansky A, Matulonis UA. Gynecologic Oncology Research Program at Dana Farber/Partners CancerCare: A phase II study of fixed dose rate gemcitabine in patients with relapsed mullerian tumors. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. 2005;15(6):1035-41.
  3. Silk AW, Finn OJ. Cancer vaccines: a promising cancer therapy against all odds. Future Oncology. 2007;3(3):299-306.