Clinical Scientist Training Program (CSTP) for Medical Students - Our Students

Participants in the CSTP for Medical Students

2009 Entering Class

Jayshiv Badlani Mentors: Dr. James Irrgang and Dr. Christopher Harner
	Jayshiv Badlani graduated from Northwestern University in 2009 with a BA in Economics and a Certificate from the Kellogg School of Management in Financial Economics. During his undergraduate education, Jayshiv did continued research at the University of Pittsburgh Stem Cell Research Center with Dr. Johnny Huard. His research included projects investigating the impact of vascularity and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the healing of injured skeletal muscle. He also spent a summer working with Dr. Robert Parker for the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative, on a project developing ideal chemotherapy schedules. In the CSTP, Jayshiv plans to pursue a Masters of Science in Clinical Research.
Simiao Li Mentor: Dr. Rachel Berger
	Simiao Li graduated from Pomona College in 2008 with a BA in molecular biology. As an undergraduate, she worked in the lab of Dr. Clarissa M. Cheney researching the localization of novel Drosophila melanogaster vesicle transport protein Gint3 via in vivo tagging with green fluorescent protein. Before entering the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2009, Simiao taught pre-college and college-level test preparation courses. In the CSTP, Simiao plans to pursue a Master of Science in Clinical Research.
Constantino Michaelidis Mentor: Dr. Kenneth Smith
	Constantino Michaelidis graduated from Swarthmore College in 2005 with BAs in Biology and History. As an undergraduate, he conducted research on mechanisms of sexual selection and correlates of mating success in male Photinus greeni fireflies. Upon graduation, he worked as a high school biology teacher and healthcare consultant before entering the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2009. Within the CSTP, he intends to pursue a Master of Science in Clinical Research and is particularly interested in clinical outcomes and cost efficacy of emerging neurointerventional stroke therapies.
Jacqueline Moreau Mentors: Dr. Scott Watson and Dr. Derek Angus
	Jacqueline Moreau graduated from Boston University in 2006 with a BA in public health. During college, she conducted thesis research on the impact of cultural factors on health beliefs and patient-healthcare provider interactions. In addition, she created and contributed to educational curricula for several national organizations. For nearly a year after graduating, Jacqueline worked as a research and content development assistant for the science education division of the journal ‘Nature.’ Subsequently, she served as the project manager of a quality improvement research project at Brigham and Women’s Hospital ‘s Department of Emergency Medicine. As a CSTP student, Jacqueline plans to earn a Masters in Clinical Research. Her research mentors are Dr. Scott Watson and Dr. Derek Angus in the Department of Critical Care Medicine.

2008 Entering Class

Aaron Baum Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Steel
	Aaron Baum graduated from the University of Chicago in 2003 with a BS in mathematics. After college, he worked for several years in finance as an equities trader and completed a postbaccalaureate premedical program at Northwestern University. Before entering the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2008, Aaron worked with Dr. Michael Kohrman, an associate professor of neurology at the University of Chicago, studying the normative sleep habits of pediatric patients with neurologic diseases. In the CSTP, Aaron plans to pursue a Master of Science in Clinical Research. His research mentor is Dr. Jennifer Steel, an associate professor in the department of surgery and director of the Center for Excellence in Integrated Behavioral Medicine and UPMC. Their research focuses on the relationship between migration-related variables, post-traumatic growth and HIV knowledge in refugees from sub-Sarahan Africa.
Ryan Li Mentor: Dr. James Irrgang
	Ryan Li graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 2008 with a BA in chemistry and a BSE in biomedical engineering. During his undergraduate education, he researched chemical morphogen gradient effects on human mesenchymal stem cell chemotaxis and differentiation with Dr. Harihara Baskaran. Ryan also completed research internships under Dr. Adam Hsieh at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Dr. Robert Mauck at the University of Pennsylvania, both involving MSC chondrogenesis. Ryan entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the fall of 2008. In the CSTP, he plans to pursue a Master of Science in Clinical Research. His research mentor is Dr. James Irrgang, director of clinical research in orthopaedic surgery. Their research focuses on examining clinical factors that contribute to osteoarthritis following anterior cruciate ligament repair. Publications Erickson IE, Huang AH, Chung C, Li R, Burdick JA, Mauck RL. Differential Maturation and Structure-Function Relationships in Mesenchymal Stem Cell and Chondrocyte-Seeded Hydrogels. Tissue Engineering Part A. 15(5) 2009 1041-1052. Erickson IE, Huang AH, Chung C, Li R, Burdick JA, Mauck RL. Biomaterial dependent mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenesis in 3D hydrogel culture. Tissue Engineering. In press.
Vera Mayercik Mentors: Dr. Joel Schuman and Dr. Gadi Wollstein
	Vera Mayercik graduated from Brown University in 2006 with an AB in Old World archaeology and art. After graduation, she spent a year at Oxford before returning to Brown University to work as a research assistant at the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies under the guidance of Dr. Jennifer Tidey. Her project investigated the relationship between schizophrenia and nicotine dependence. Vera entered the University of Pittsburgh in the fall of 2008. In the CSTP, she plans to pursue a Master of Science in Clinical Research. Her research mentors are Dr. Joel Schuman, Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology, and Dr. Gadi Wollstein, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology. Their research focuses on the use of spectral domain optical coherence tomography for the diagnosis and management of glaucoma.
Benjamin Sprague Mentor: Dr. Flordeliza Villaneuva
	Ben Sprague graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in 2006 and 2008 with a BS and MS in biomedical engineering. During this time he worked with Dr. Naomi Chesler, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Dr. Ronald Magness, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology. For his master's thesis, Ben measured hemodynamics and mechanical properties of vascular tissues within various ovine models or pregnancy to improve understanding of factors that cause maternal cardiovascular maladaptations, like preeclampsia. He entered the University of Pittsburgh in the fall of 2008. In the CSTP, he plans to pursue a Master of Science in Clinical Research. His mentor is Dr. Flordeliza Villanueva, MD, professor of medicine and Director of Noninvasive Cardiac Imaging and the Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics at the UPMC Cardiovascular Institute. Their research focuses on the use of ultrasound contrast agents for prediction of cardiovascular disease and acute cardiac events. Publications Sprague BJ, Chesler NC, Magness RR. Shear stress regulates nitric oxide production in uterine and placental artery endothelial cells. International Journal of Developmental Biology. Special Issue: Placenta. In press. Sprague BJ, Phernetton TM, Magness RR, Chesler NC. The effects of the ovarian cycle and pregnancy on uterine vascular impedance and uterine artery mechanics. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2009;144 Suppl 1:S170-8. Zhu Y, Sprague BJ, Phernetton TM, Magness RR, Chesler NC. Transmission line models to simulate the impedance of the uterine vasculature during the ovarian cycle and pregnancy. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2009;144 Suppl 1:S184-91.
Lisa Tseng Mentors: Dr. Kim Sutton-Tyrrell and Dr. Anne Newman
	Lisa Tseng graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 2008 with a BA in molecular and cell biology (MCB) and psychology. As an undergraduate, she worked under Dr. Paola S. Timiras to complete an MCB thesis on growth factor–induced neurogenesis in neuroglial cells. Lisa also worked with the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute under Dr. Robert T. Knight to complete a psychology thesis about the effects of aging and stroke on visual working memory networks. Lisa entered the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 and plans to complete the requirements for a Master of Science in Clinical Research. Her mentors are Dr. Kim Sutton-Tyrell, professor of Epidemiology, and Dr. Anne Newman, professor of Medicine and Epidemiology. Their research focuses on racial and ethnic variations in the epidemiology of the metabolic syndrome in older women.

2007 Entering Class

Tanner Bartholow Mentors: Dr. Anil Parwani and Dr. Dr. Michael Becich
	Tanner Bartholow graduated from Juniata College in 2007 with a BS in biology. During his undergraduate education, he worked with Dr. Jeff Demarest in research focusing on the electrophysiologic and morphologic properties associated with gastric secretory processes in Necturus maculosus. He also completed a research internship in the Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury at Brigham and Women's Hospital, where he worked in the laboratory of Dr. Gregory Stahl and studied complement. Tanner entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the fall of 2007. In the CSTP, he plans to complete work leading to the Master of Science in Clinical Research. His research mentors are Drs. Anil Parwani, assistant professor of bioinformatics and pathology, and Michael Becich, professor and chair of Bioinformatics. Their research focuses upon identifying immunohistochemical markers for prognosis correlation in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.
Tiffany Behringer Mentor: Dr. Eleanor Schwarz
	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 semistructured interviewing to better understand the psychosocial experience of female factor infertility and doctor-patient communication about in vitro fertilization treatment. After college, she spent 2 years working with Dr. Kevin Volpp on a study examining the impact of the 2003 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) work hour policy on mortality in the VA and Medicare population. Tiffany entered the University of Pittsburgh in the fall of 2007. In the CSTP, she is unsure if she will pursue the Master of Science or the Certificate in Clinical Research. Her research mentor is Dr. Eleanor Schwarz, assistant professor of medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and epidemiology. Their research focuses on contraceptive decision making and outcomes of IUD users. Publications 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;298:984-92. 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;298:975-83.
Vanessa Flores Mentor: Dr. Derek Angus
	Vanessa Flores was born and raised in Ecuador. She graduated from Rutgers University in 2007 with a BA in biology and business administration. While at Rutgers, Vanessa participated in several research projects, including a study of spindle dynamics in rat liver epithelial cells and a study of the effects of albendazole on microsporidia. Before coming to Pittsburgh, she also completed three summers of biomedical research at the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, where she performed neurobehavioral studies in rhesus monkeys and evaluated the biochemistry and metabolism of nitric oxide in rat liver tissue. In the CSTP, Vanessa plans to complete work leading to the 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. Their research focuses on between-center variations in the informed consent process in a multicenter randomized clinical trial of protocolized resuscitation for septic shock. Presentations Flores V, Raghavachari N, Gladwin M. Evaluation of the performance of a single round amplification technique for microarray analysis using MessageAmp II biotin-enhanced amplification. Poster presentation at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Poster Session, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, August 2007. Flores V. Variation in Standards of Informed Consent in a Multisite Septic Shock Study (ProCESS). Abstract and poster presentation at the University of Pittsburgh Dean's Summer Symposium; Poster presentation at University of Pittsburgh Science 2008. October 2008. Honors and Awards Merit Award for Excellence in Biomedical Science Research, University of Pittsburgh, October 2008.
Naomi Pitskel Mentors: Dr. Kevin Pelphrey and Dr. Nancy Minshew
	Naomi Pitskel graduated from Brandeis University in 2005 with a BS in neuroscience. While attending Brandeis, she worked for 3 years with Dr. Ann Skoczenski at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where she studied visual development and dyslexia and where she also conducted a senior research project on visual processing in adults with autism. After college, she worked for 2 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 work leading to the Master of Science in Clinical Research. Her primary research mentor is Dr. Kevin Pelphrey, Irving B. Harris Associate Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the Yale Child Study Center and Director of the Yale Program in Neuroimaging and the Child Neuroscience Laboratory. Her co-mentor is Dr. Nancy Minshew, Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Director of the NIH Autism Center of Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh-Carnegie Mellon University. Their research focuses on the neural bases of social cognition in adults and children with autism, especially with respect to the processing of eye gaze as a social cue. Publications 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. 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. 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. In: Reiser JJ, Ashmead DH, Ebner FF, Corn AL, eds. Blindness and Brain Plasticity in Navigation and Object Perception. New York, NY: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 2008. Merabet LB, Hamilton R, Schlaug G, Swisher JD, Kiriakopoulos ET, Pitskel NB, Kauffman T, Pascual-Leone A. Rapid and reversible recruitment of early visual cortex for touch. PLoS One. 2008; 3(8):e3046. Presentations Pitskel NB, Hudac CM, Vander Wyk BC, Minshew NJ, Lantz SD, & Pelphrey KA. Brain mechanisms for processing a social approach in autism. Poster presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research, Chicago, IL, May 7-9, 2009.
Sarah Ramer Mentors: Dr. Mark Unruh and Dr. Anne Germain
	Sarah Ramer graduated from Harvard College in 2003 with an AB in folklore and mythology, specializing in Chinese studies. Although she originally did not plan on a career in medicine, her first job out of college, as a clinical research coordinator in the Pediatric Psychopharmacology Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, 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 premarketing 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 2007. In the CSTP, she plans to pursue the Master of Science in Clinical Research. Her mentors are Dr. Mark Unruh, assistant professor of medicine and Dr. Anne Germain, assistant professor of psychiatry,. Their research focuses on predictors and correlates of event-related emotional distress in patients with kidney disease. Presentations Ramer S, Germain A, Dohar S, Unruh M. Event-related distress in kidney disease patients. Poster presentation at the National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meetings 2009, Nashville, Tennessee, March 2009.
Susan Shyu Mentor: Dr. Mary Amanda Dew
	Susan Shyu graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, in the spring of 2007 with a BS in biochemistry. During all 4 years in college, she worked with Dr. Kenneth Frauwirth in the Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics. Her project involved studying 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 pursue the Master of Science in Clinical Research. Her mentor is Dr. Mary Amanda Dew, professor of psychiatry, psychology, epidemiology, and biostatistics. Their research focuses on quality of life and survival among transplant patients. Publications Dew MA, Dabbs AD, Myaskovsky L, Shyu S, Shellmer DA, DiMartini AF, Steel J, Unruh M, Switzer GE, Shapiro R, Greenhouse JB. Meta-analysis of medical regimen adherence outcomes in pediatric solid organ transplantation. Transplantation. 2009;88(5):736-46.
Niketa Williams Mentors: Dr. Sharon Hillier and Dr. Aletha Akers
	Niketa Williams graduated from Brown University in 2005 with an 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 human immunodeficiency virus (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. In the CSTP, she plans to pursue the Master of Science in Clinical Research. Her research mentors are Dr. Sharon Hillier, director of reproductive infectious diseases research at Magee-Womens Hospital, and Dr. Aletha Akers. Their research focuses on better understanding participant motivations for, expectations of, and experiences with microbicide clinical trials in Sub-Saharan Africa. Presentations Moshabela M, Pronyk P, Williams N, Schneider H, Lurie M. Health system utilization patterns by people attending an HIV/ART clinic in rural South Africa. Poster presentation at the 2009 South African AIDS Conference, Cape Town, South Africa. Moshabela M, Lurie M, Williams N, Schneider H, Pronyk P. Holistic determinants of health-seeking behaviour among rural people living with HIV/AIDS in the South African HAART era. Poster presentation at the South African AIDS Conference, Cape Town, South Africa. Williams N, Akers A, Reid C, Kapina M, Stringer J, Hillier S. Evaluating the Legacy of Microbicide Trial Participation among Women in Lusaka, Zambia. Poster presentation at the 2009 Unite for Sight Conference, New Haven, CT. Williams N, Akers A, Reid C, Kapina M, Stringer J, Hillier S. Experiences with Decision-Making for Microbicide Clinical Trial Enrollment among Women in Lusaka, Zambia. Oral presentation at the American Public Health Association Conference, Philadelphia, PA. Honors and Awards Arnold P. Gold Foundation Medical Scholars Award, 2008. Infectious Disease Society of America Medical Scholars Award, 2008. University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Student Global Travel Grant, 2008.

2006 Entering Class

J'mir Cousar Mentors: Dr. Robert Clark and Dr. Yvette Conley
	J'mir L. Cousar graduated from the University of Rochester in the spring of 2006 with a BS in neuroscience. While at Rochester, J'mir dedicated himself to a diverse array of research projects, including the study of cyclooxygenase inhibition in mice prior to traumatic brain injury, the study of the expression of heme oxygenase 1 in pediatric trauma patients, and the study of 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 to pursue the Master of Science in Clinical Research while earning an MD. His research mentors are Dr. Robert Clark, associate director of molecular biology at the Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, and Dr. Yvette Conley. Their research focuses on genetic variation in proteins related to outcomes after traumatic brain injury. Publications 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 severe traumatic brain injury. Developmental Neuroscience. 2006;28:342-7. Presentations Sarniak A, Cousar JL, Conley Y, Clark RS. Polymorphism of p-glycoprotein may impact outcome in traumatic brain injury. Abstract and poster presentation at the University of Pittsburgh Dean's Summer Symposium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 2007. Cousar JL, Sarnaik A, Conley Y, Clark RS. Mitochondrial uncoupling protein-4 polymorphims are associated with depth of coma after traumatic brain injury. Abstract accepted and poster presentation at Harvard Medical School New England Science Symposium, Boston, Massachusetts, April 2009. Cousar JL, Sarnaik A, Conley Y, Clark RS. Mitochondrial uncoupling protein-4 polymorphims are associated with depth of coma after traumatic brain injury. Abstract and oral presentation at the 24th International Symposium on Cerebral Blood Flow, Metabolism, & Function, and the 9th International Conference on Quantification of Brain Function with PET at Chicago, Illinois, June 2009. Honors and Awards Travel Bursary Award, Brain & Brain PET 2009 at Chicago, Illinois, June 2009.
Lara Cox Mentors: Dr. David A. Brent and Dr. Lisa A. Pan
	Lara J. Cox graduated in May 2006 from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. She received a BA with high honors in neuroscience and with distinction in psychology. Throughout her 4 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 pursuing the MD, she plans to complete work leading to the Master of Science in Clinical Research. Her research mentors are Dr. David A. Brent, Endowed Chair of Suicide Studies and professor of psychiatry, pediatrics, and epidemiology; and Dr. Lisa A. Pan, assistant professor of psychiatry. Their research focuses upon causes of non-suicidal self-injury adolescents. Publications Cox LJ, Stanley B, Melhem NM, Oquendo M, Birmaher B, Burke A, Kolko DJ, Zelazny JM, Mann JJ, Brent DA. Familial and individual predictors of non-suicidal self-injury in the offspring of mood-disordered parents. In submission. Honors and Awards Clinical and Translational Science Institute Multidisciplinary Predoctoral Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh Institute of Clinical Research Education, July 2009-July 2010. Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship, July 2009-July 2010.
Elizabeth Genovese Mentors: Dr. Mary Amanda Dew and Dr. Robert Kormos
	Elizabeth Genovese graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science, with a major in Preprofessional Studies and a minor in Gender Studies. While attending Notre Dame, she studied for 2 years under Dr. JoEllen Welsh, researching the use of natural and synthetic vitamin D as a treatment for breast cancer. Elizabeth matriculated at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2006. In addition to earning her MD, Elizabeth will pursue the Master of Science in Clinical Research. Her primary research mentor is Dr. Mary Amanda Dew, professor of psychiatry, psychology, and epidemiology, and her co-mentor is Dr. Robert Kormos, professor of cardiothoracic surgery and medical director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and UPMC Artificial Heart and Thoracic Transplant Program. Their research focuses on the predictors of survival and adverse events that occur during the acute period following the implantation of ventricular assist devices in patients with end-stage heart failure. Publications Genovese EA, Dew MA, Simon MA, Teuteberg JJ, Kay J, Siegenthaler MP, Bhama JK, Bermudez CA, Lockard KL, Winowich S, Kormos RL. Cumulative incidence and pattern of adverse events in the first 60 days post ventricular assist device implantation. Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 2008. Kay J, Teuteberg JJ, Simon MA, Siegenthaler MP, Genovese EA, Bermudez CA, Bhama JK, Dew MA, Lockard KL, Winowich S, Kormos RL. Ventricular assist device adverse events effect not only VAD survival but subsequent survival after cardiac transplantation. Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 2008. Kormos RL, Teuteberg JJ, Siegenthaler, MP, Marc SA, Kay J, Genovese EA, Bermudez CA, Toyoda Y, Lockard KL, Winowich S. Pre-VAD Implant Risk Factors Influence the Onset of Adverse Events (AE's) while on a VAD. Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 2009. Rayappa S, Teuteberg JJ, Siegenthaler MP, Kay J, Genovese EA, Simon MA, Dew MA, Bhama JK, Lockard KL, Kormos RL. Pre-Implant Risk for VAD s and VAD AE s Influences the Onset of Adverse Events (AE s) Following Cardiac Transplantation (CTX) and Ultimate Survival. Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 2009. Genovese EA, Dew MA, Teuteberg JJ, Simon MA, Kay J, Siegenthaler MP, Bhama JK, Bermudez CA, Lockard KL, Winowich S, Kormos RL. Incidence and Patterns of Adverse Event Onset During the First 60 Days After Ventricular Assist Device Implantation. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, in press. 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 after ventricular assist device implantation. Poster presentation at the Gordon Research Conference on Assisted Circulation, Big Sky, Montana, August 19-24, 2007, and at “Science 2007” Symposium, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 12, 2007. Genovese EA, Dew MA, Simon MA, Teuteberg JJ, Kay J, Siegenthaler MP, Bhama JK, Bermudez C, Lockard KL, Winowich S, Kormos RL. Cumulative incidence and pattern of adverse events in the first 60 days after ventricular assist device implantation. Poster presentation at the 28th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, Boston, Massachusetts, April 2008. Honors and Awards Travel Award, Gordon Research Conference on Assisted Circulation, August 2007. Merit Award for Excellence in Biomedical Science Research, University of Pittsburgh, September 2007. Travel Award, Society for Vascular Surgery Annual Meeting, June 2009.
Erin Ohmann Mentor: Dr. Steven A. Webber
	Erin L. Ohmann graduated from Cornell University in 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 with 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 pursue the Master of Science in Clinical Research and participate 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. Their research focuses on optimizing outcomes after pediatric heart transplantation. Publications 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;354:424-5. 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 P de 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;143:2098-105. Presentations Ohmann EL, Burckart GL, 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. Poster presentation at Science 2007, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 2007, and at the 5th Annual Joint Research Poster Symposium, American Medical Association Medical Student Session (AMA-MSS), Honolulu, Hawaii, November 2007. 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. Oral presentation at Science 2007, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 2007; the Philip K. Caves Award Candidate Presentations at the 28th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, Boston, Massachusetts, April 2008; and the 36th Annual ODICH Meeting, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 2008. Honors and Awards Arthur Mirsky Student Research Award, Summer Research Program Symposium, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 2007. Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship, 2009-2010. NIH CTSI T32 Pre-Doctoral Trainee, 2009-2010.
Rebecca Pomerantz Mentors: Dr. Larisa Geskin and Dr. Louis Falo
	Rebecca (Reva) Pomerantz graduated from Harvard College in the spring of 2006 with an AB 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 studying 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 the fall of 2006 to attend the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. In the CSTP, Rebecca plans to pursue the Master of Science in Clinical Research. Her research mentors are Dr. Larisa Geskin, assistant professor of dermatology, and Dr. Louis Falo, professor and chair of the Department of Dermatology. Their research focuses on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Publications Chirinos RE, Pomerantz RG, Jukic DM, Geskin LJ. Systemic antineoplastic and/or immune modulating drugs induce high CD30 expression in skin lesions [abstract]. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2007;127(Suppl):S14. Pomerantz RG, Husni ME, Mody E, Qureshi AA. Adalimumab for treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum. British Journal of Dermatology. 2007;157:1274-5. Pomerantz RG, Chirinos RE, Falo LD Jr, Geskin LJ. Acitretin for treatment of EGFR inhibitor-induced cutaneous toxic effects. Archives of Dermatology. 2008;144:949-50. Pomerantz RG, Kupper TS, Qureshi AA. Immunomodulation in dermatology. In: Krieg T, Bickers D, Miyachi Y, eds. Therapy of Skin Diseases. Berlin New York: Springer. 2009. Pomerantz RG, Mirvish ED, Erdos G, Donnenberg AD, Falo LD Jr, Geskin LJ. Novel approach to genomic profiling in Sezary Syndrome [abstract]. J Invest Dermatol 2009 Apr; 129: S29. Pomerantz RG, Mody E, Husni ME, Qureshi AA. Follow-up of psoriatic arthritis mutilans patients treated with anti-TNF-alpha therapy. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2009 April; 8(4): 406-12. Pomerantz RG, Patton TJ Jr, Donnenberg AD, Mirvish ED, Falo LD Jr, Geskin LJ. Disease stage-related changes in T cell receptor-VB profile in cutaneous T cell lymphoma [abstract]. J Immunol, Apr 2009; 182: 88.10. Pomerantz RG, Campbell LS, Jukic DM, Geskin LJ. Post-transplant cutaneous T cell lymphoma: Case reports and review of the relationship between calcineurin inhibitors and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder risk. Archives of Dermatology. In press. Pomerantz RG, Mirvish ED, Geskin LJ. Cutaneous reactions to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. In press. Presentations Pomerantz RG, Mody E, Qureshi AA. Follow-up of psoriatic arthritis mutilans patients treated with anti-TNFa therapy. Poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, Washington D.C., February 2007. Chirinos RE, Pomerantz RG, Jukic DM, Geskin LJ. Systemic antineoplastic and/or immune modulating drugs induce high CD30 expression in skin lesions. Poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology, Los Angeles, California, May 2007. Mirvish ED, Pomerantz RG, Watkins SC, Geskin LJ. FoxP3 and CD30 expression in drug-induced cutaneous lymphoproliferative lesions. Presented at the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas annual meeting, San Francisco, CA, March 5, 2009. Pomerantz RG, Mirvish ED, Moore PS, Chang Y, Swerdlow SH, Geskin LJ. Lack of association of novel polyomavirus with Mycosis Fungoides tumors. Presented at the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas annual meeting, San Francisco, CA, March 5, 2009. Pomerantz RG, Mirvish ED, Erdos G, Donnenberg AD, Falo LD Jr, Geskin LJ. Novel approach to genomic profiling in Sezary Syndrome. Presented at the Society for Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada, May 7, 2009. Pomerantz RG, Patton TJ Jr, Donnenberg AD, Mirvish ED, Falo LD Jr, Geskin LJ. Disease stage-related changes in T cell receptor-VB profile in cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Presented at the American Association of Immunologists 96th Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, May 10, 2009. Mirvish ED, Pomerantz RG, Geskin LJ. “Dendritic cell vaccines in cancer: obstacles to overcome.” In Dendritic Cells in Cancer, in press. Honors and Awards Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship, 2008-2009 Brian V. Jegasothy Award for outstanding achievement in cutaneous oncology research, 2009

2005 Entering Class

Neilly Ann Buckalew Mentor: Dr. Debra Weiner
	Neilly Ann Buckalew graduated from Dartmouth College in 1991 with a BA in anthropology and environmental studies and with certification in elementary education. She also holds a master's 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 7 years, Neilly was a consultant on environmental health issues and toxic waste cleanup for Native American tribal governments throughout the country and received the Charles Lindbergh Certificate of Merit for her work and the 2000 Notable Women Award for outstanding leadership in the United States. Before entering the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2005, she practiced as a licensed naturopathic physician for 4 years. In pursing her Master’s of Science in Clinical Research she has participated in the Translational Science 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 of the University of Pittsburgh and a leading authority in pain management. Their research focuses multimodal brain imaging to understand the impact of chronic pain in older adults and to inform the development of more effective treatment regimens. Publications Buckalew N, Haut MW, Morrow L, Weiner D. Chronic pain is associated with brain volume loss in older adults: preliminary evidence. Pain Medicine. 2008;9:240-8. Presentations Buckalew N, Haut MW, Morrow L, 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, Pennsylvania, May 2007. Buckalew N, Haut MW, Subashan P, Morrow L, Weiner D. Brain Morphology Differences in Older Adults with Chronic Disabling Pain. University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Institute on Aging. Abstract and poster presentation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dec 9, 2008. Buckalew N, Haut MW, Subashan P, Morrow L, Weiner D. Brain Morphology Differences in Older Adults with Disabling Chronic Pain. Abstract and poster presentation. American Geriatrics Society, Chicago, Illinois, April 2009 conference. Buckalew N, Siegle G, Haut MW, Aizenstien H, Morrow L, Subashan P, Weiner D. Is Pupillary Response an Objective Bio-Marker for Disability and Brain Dysfunction in Older Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain? Abstract and podium presentation. Colloquium on the Pupil, Champion, Pennsylvania, August 2009. Honors and Awards Gold Humanism Honor Society, UPSOM division, Charles Watson Humanism Honor Society. 2008. David C. Martin Award for Academic Excellence in Geriatric Medicine. Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society Western Division. March 2009. NIA T32 pre-doctoral fellowship, 2008-2009
Alison Goldberg Rubin Mentors: Dr. Melanie Gold and Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz
	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, Elizabeth Ozer, and Mary-Ann Shafer for 3 years at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, where she focused on screening and counseling for risky behaviors and Chlamydia screening among adolescents. She entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2005 after completing a postbaccalaureate premedical program at Scripps College. In the CSTP, she plans to pursue the Master of Science in Clinical Research in the Effectiveness, Outcomes, and Quality Research Track. She has also completed a Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship. Her research mentors are Dr. Melanie Gold, Clinical associate professor of Pediatrics, and Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, assistant professor of Medicine, Epidemiology, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences. Their research focuses on the relationship between adolescent depression and sexual risk behavior, and access and barriers to emergency contraception in female adolescents. Publications Rubin AG, Gold MA, Primack BA. Associations between depressive symptoms and sexual risk behavior in a diverse sample of female adolescents. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. June 2009. In press. 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. 2007;20(Suppl 2):S131. Presentations Goldberg AD, Chiappetta L, Gold MA. The relationship between depressive symptoms and risk-taking behavior in female adolescents. Poster presentation at Science 2006, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 2006, and at the Annual Meeting of the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Atlanta, Georgia, April 2007. Rubin AG, Gold MA, Kim YH, Schwarz EB. Teen use of emergency contraception: Methods of access and perceived barriers. Oral presentation at Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship Meeting, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, May 2009. Honors and Awards Sally E. Perlman Award for Best Poster, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, April 2007. Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellow, 2008-2009 Selected as oral presenter for University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine at Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship Meeting, May 2009.
Emily Spangler Mentor: Dr. Kim Sutton-Tyrrell
	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 the requirements for the Master of Science in Clinical Research in the Effectiveness, Outcomes, and Quality Research Track. Between her first and second years of medical school, she conducted research focusing on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of carotid plaques with Dr. Brian Chapman, research assistant professor of radiology. With her current research mentor, Dr. Kim Sutton-Tyrrell, professor and vice chair for academics in the Department of Epidemiology, Emily is using data from the Health Aging and Body Composition Study to examine associations of physical function and endurance with subclinical vascular disease in older adults. Publications Spangler EL, Brown C, Roberts JA, Chapman BE. Evaluation of internal carotid artery segmentation by InsightSNAP. Proceedings of SPIE. 2007;6512:65123F. Spangler EL, Watson NL, Venkitachalam L, Sutton-Tyrrell K, Newman AB et. al. for the Health ABC study, Arterial stiffness and walking endurance in community-dwelling older adults [abstract]. Circulation. 2009; 119(10); e318. Spangler EL, Watson NL, Venkitachalam L, Sutton-Tyrrell K, Newman AB et. al. for the Health ABC study, Ankle arm index and walking endurance in community-dwelling older adults [abstract]. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2009; 57(Suppl 1):S173. Presentations Spangler EL, Watson NL, Venkitachalam L, Sutton-Tyrrell K, Newman AB et. al. for the Health ABC Study. Arterial stiffness and walking endurance in community-dwelling older adults. Poster presentation at Celebrating Research on Aging, the University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, December 2008, and at the American Heart Association Joint Conference-Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism and 49th Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Tampa, Florida, March 2009. Spangler EL, Watson NL, Venkitachalam L, Sutton-Tyrrell K, Newman AB et. al. for the Health ABC Study. Ankle arm index and walking endurance in community-dwelling older adults. Poster presentation at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Geriatric Society, Chicago, Illinois, May 2009. Honors and Awards Medical Student Award for presentation of "Adventitial Cystic Disease of the Popliteal Artery: Angioplasty Resulting in Thrombosis," Eastern Vascular Society, 2007. David C. Martin Award, Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society, Western Division, March 2009. NIA T32 pre-doctoral fellowship, 2008-2009

Graduates of the CSTP for Medical Students

2009 Graduates

Deborah Kowalchuk Mentor: Dr. James Irrgang
	Deborah Kowalchuk graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2003 with a BA in biology. She spent a 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. She entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2004. In the CSTP, Deborah plans to complete the requirements for the 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 in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Their research focuses on developing a clinical prediction rule for determining the outcome of partial meniscectomy in older patients with a meniscus tear. Publications 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 and Vascular Anesthesia. 2005;19:310-5. 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 and Vascular Anesthesia. 2007;21:208-11. Presentations Kowalchuk DA, Seikya JK, Harner CD, Fu FH, Irrgang JJ. Prediction of patient-oriented outcome after ACL reconstruction. Poster presentation at the Meeting of the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery, and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, 2007.
Maria De La Luz Nieto Mentor: Dr. Steven Albert
	Maria De La Luz Nieto graduated from Wesleyan University in 2000 with a BA in neuroscience and behavior. She spent 2 years as a clinical research associate at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, working with Dr. Woodrow Weiss and investigating the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. She then spent 1.5 years as a clinical research associate at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, where she worked with Dr. Robert Gish, coordinating phase II, III, and IV studies in patients with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV coinfection. In 2004, she entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Maria is pursuing the Certificate in Clinical Research. Her research mentor is Dr. Steven Albert, professor of behavioral and community health sciences, and their research focuses on determining the cognitive and physical basis of independence in older people. Publications Nieto ML, Albert SM, Morrow LA, Saxton J. Cognitive status and physical function in older African Americans. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2008;56:2014-9. Presentations Nieto ML, Cognitive predictors of physical function in older African Americans. Poster presentation at the American Medical Student Association Conference, March 2008; the Sixth Annual Research Day of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, May 2008; and the Annual Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society, May 2008. Honors and Awards David C. Martin Award, 2008. "Sponsor and Mentor a Student" Program Award of the American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging, 2008. Kaiser Permanente Northern California Scholarship, in recognition of achievements in the areas of community leadership and population-based research, 2008.
Meredith Parrott Mentors: Dr. James M. Roberts and Dr. Lisa M. Bodnar
	Meredith Parrott graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2004 with a BS in nutritional sciences. For 3 years during college, she worked with Dr. Nancy I. Williams and studied the effects of diet and exercise on reproduction and metabolism in college-aged women. She entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2004. In the CSTP, Meredith is pursuing the 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 adaptation of the placenta to changes in nutrient environment in normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Meredith is also working with Dr. Lisa M. Bodnar, a nutritional epidemiologist, studying the effects of maternal cereal consumption on micronutrient adequacy in the periconceptional period and studying the relationship between prenatal nutrition and potential birth outcomes. Publications Parrott MS, Bodnar LM, Simhan HN, Harger G, Markovic N, Roberts JM. Maternal cereal consumption and adequacy of micronutrient intake in the periconceptional period. Public Health Nutrition. In Press. vonVersen-Hoeynck F, Rajakumar A, Parrott MS, Powers RW. Leptin Affects System A Amino Acid Transport Activity in the Human Placenta: Evidence for STAT3 Dependent Mechanisms. Placenta. In Press. Parrott MS, von Versen-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;14:687-93. Presentations Snook ML, Powers RW, Shibata E, Roberts JM. Reduced amino acid availability increases amino acid uptake by normal placentas. Poster presentation at Science 2005, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 2005, and at the Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, Toronto, Ontario, March 2006. Parrott MS, von Versen-Hoeynck F, Ness RB, Markovic N, Roberts J. Enhanced placental system A amino acid transporter activity with amino acid limitation is substrate specific. Poster presentation at the Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, Reno, Nevada, March 2007. Parrott MS, Bodnar LM, Simhan HN, Harger G, Markovic N, Roberts JM. Regular cereal consumption is associated with meeting micronutrient needs in pregnancy. Poster presentation at Clinical and Translational Science Day, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 2007.
Laura Raducha-Grace Mentor: Dr. C. Kent Kwoh
	Laura Raducha-Grace graduated from Wesleyan University in 2003 with a BA in molecular biology and biochemistry. She then worked for a year as a cancer research training award student in Dr. Mike Kuehl's laboratory at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, where she was involved in a project characterizing the role of p18 in multiple myeloma cell lines. Laura entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2004. In the CSTP, she is pursuing the Master of Science in Clinical Research in the Effectiveness, Outcomes, and Quality Research Track. Her research mentor is Dr. C. Kent Kwoh, professor of rheumatology, and their research focuses on the localization of knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Publications 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;1:23. 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;367:1246-57. Presentations Raducha-Grace L, Kwoh CK. The knee pain map: pain localization in knee osteoarthritis. Abstract accepted and poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society, May 2006. Raducha-Grace L, Boudreau R, Hannon M, Newman A, Nevitt M, Kwoh CK; for the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) Investigators. The knee pain map: pain localization in knee osteoarthritis, ancillary study to the OAI. Oral presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International, December 2007. Raducha-Grace L Boudreau R, Hannon M, Newman A, Nevitt M, Chu C, Kwoh CK; for the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) Investigators. Psychosocial and demographic predictors of concordant pain patterns in OAI study participants with bilateral knee pain. Poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society, April 2008.

2008 Graduates

H. Patrick Driscoll Mentor: Dr. Charles F. Reynolds
	H. Patrick Driscoll graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2000 with a BA in philosophy. After he completed a premedicine program at Goucher College, he worked for 2 years as a Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award Fellow with Dr. Robert M. Brosh in the Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology at the National Institute on Aging, where he studied the biochemical characterization of key DNA helicase proteins associated with aging and genomic stability. When Patrick came to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and entered the CSTP, he began working with Dr. Charles F. Reynolds, professor of psychiatry, neurology, and neuroscience, on clinical and treatment response variability in late-life major depression. In 2008, he received his MD and MS in Clinical Research. He is currently a resident in psychiatry at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of the University of Pittsburgh. Publications 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;278:41126-35. 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;278:23487-96. 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 branch-migrating DNA structures associated with the replication fork. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 2004;15:734-50. 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: clinical and treatment response variability. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2005;20:661-7. Driscoll HC, Karp JF, Dew MA, Reynolds CF. Getting better, getting well: understanding and managing partial response and non-response to pharmacological treatment of non-psychotic major depression in old age. Drugs and Aging. 2007;24:801-14. 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. 2008;16:74-82.
Alvin Jones Mentors: Dr. C. Kent Kwoh and Dr. Said Ibrahim
	Alvin Jones graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2003 with a BS in biological sciences. After working as a summer intern with the Center for Minority Health in the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh, he entered the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed mentored clinical research with Dr. C. Kent Kwoh, professor of medicine and epidemiology, and Dr. Said Ibrahim, associate professor of medicine, on provider-level factors contributing to the health disparities seen in the utilization of lower-extremity joint replacement. In 2008, Alvin graduated with an MD and MS in Clinical Research. He is currently a general surgery resident at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, North Carolina. Publications Jones A, Kwoh CK, Kelley ME, Ibrahim SA. Racial disparity in knee arthroplasty utilization in the Veterans Health Administration. Arthritis Care and Research. 2005;53:979-81. Emejuaiwe N, Jones A, Ibrahim SA, Kwoh CK. Disparities in joint replacement utilization: a quality of care issue. Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology. 2007;25(6 Suppl 47):44-9. Jones AC, Kwoh CK, Groeneveld PW, Mor M, Geng M, Ibrahim SA. Investigating racial differences in coping with chronic osteoarthritis pain. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology. 2008;23:339-47. Presentations Disparities in utilization of total knee arthroplasty in African-American men. Poster presentation at the 9th World Congress of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International, 2005. Doctor-patient communication and referral for total joint replacement: the Health ABC Study. Poster presentation at Clinical and Translational Science Day, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2007. Prayer is more important to blacks than whites in coping with chronic osteoarthritis pain. Poster presentation at the VA Health Services Research and Development National Meeting, 2007.
Nima Naghshineh Mentors: Dr. J. Peter Rubin, Dr. Kathleen McTigue, and Dr. Anita Courcoulas
	Nima Naghshineh graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2003 with a BS in biomedical engineering and psychology. During college, he conducted research in cardioelectrophysiology and tissue repair and in thoracic oncology outcomes research. After entering the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2003, he began 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. The research focused on metabolic changes associated with bariatric and body-contouring surgery. In 2008, Nima graduated with an MD and MS in Clinical Research. He is currently a resident in plastic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. Publications Sajjadian A, Naghshineh N, Magge KT, Kassir R, Nachlas NE, Rofagha R. Nasal reconstruction. In: Faust RA, Talavera F, Dorion D, Slack CL, Meyers AD, eds. Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery. emedicine/WebMD, 2007. Sajjadian A, Naghshineh N, Rofagha R, Tobin GR, Stadelmann W. Lip reconstruction. In: Ketch L, Talavera F, Newsome RE, Slenkovich N, Aly A, eds. Plastic Surgery. emedicine/WebMD, 2007. Rubinstein R, Naghshineh N, Sajjadian A. Grafts and implants in rhinoplasty, part II: homologous grafts and allogeneic implants. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In press. Sajjadian A, Rubinstein R, Naghshineh N. Grafts and implants in rhinoplasty, part I: autologous grafts. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In press. Presentations 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? Poster presentation at the SBAS Conference, April 2005. Naghshineh N, McTigue K, Courcoulas A, Fernstrom M, Rubin JP. Nutritional and metabolic status of post–gastric bypass body-contouring patients. Poster presentation at NAASO, the Obesity Society, October 2007. Naghshineh N, McTigue K, Courcoulas A, Fernstrom M, Rubin JP. Psychosocial and physical functioning status of post–gastric bypass body-contouring patients. Poster presentation at NAASO, the Obesity Society, October 2007.
Kristen Scopaz Mentor: Dr. Kelley Fitzgerald
	Kristen Scopaz graduated from Dartmouth College in 2000 with a BA in biology modified with engineering. She worked for 2 years as a clinical research assistant with Dr. Frank Haluska at Massachusetts General Hospital in the field of melanoma research and treatment. After entering the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2003, Kristin began mentored clinical research with Dr. Kelley Fitzgerald, associate professor of physical therapy, and focused on osteoarthritis rehabilitation, including determinants of successful rehabilitation. In 2008, Kristen graduated with an MD and MS in Clinical Research. She is currently a resident in family medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. Publications Scopaz KA, Piva SR, Gil AB, Wollard JD, Oddis CV, Fitzgerald GK. Effect of Baseline Quadriceps Activation on Changes in Quadriceps Strength After Exercise Therapy in Subjects With Knee Osteoarthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatism. Arthritis Care & Research.2009:7 61:951-57. Scopaz KA, Piva SR, Wisniewski S, Fitzgerald GK. Relationships of Fear, Anxiety, and Depression With Physical Function in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis. American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2009: 11 90: 1866-73. Presentations 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 presentation at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatologic Health Professionals, Boston, Massachusetts, November 2007.
Arun Sharma Mentor: Dr. David Whitcomb
	Arun Sharma graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2003 with a BA in biology and the history of science. While in college, he worked as Dr. Ann Hubbard's research assistant and studied molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of tight junctions and cellular polarity. After being admitted to the University of Pittsburgh in 2003, he began mentored clinical research with Dr. David Whitcomb, professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, and focused on genetic and immunologic determinants of the severity and outcome of acute pancreatitis. Arun received his MD and MS in Clinical Research in 2008. He is currently an otolaryngology resident at the University of Washington. Publications Papachristou GI, Clermont G, Sharma A, Yadav D, Whitcomb DC. Risk and markers of severe acute pancreatitis. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2007;36:277-96. 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;294:G576-88. 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. 2008;117:591-3. Sharma A, Ruscetta MN, Chi DH. Ophthalmologic findings in children with sensorineural hearing loss. Archives of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. In press. Presentations Sharma A. Adipokines, obesity, and severe acute pancreatitis. Oral presentation to the Board of Visitors, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2007. Sharma A, Lamb J, Corrado K, Kandula L, Lowe ME, Avula H, Slivka A, Barmada MM, Whitcomb DC, Papachristou GI. TNFα polymorphisms increase the risk of acute pancreatitis. Poster presentation at Digestive Disease Week, Washington, DC, 2007, and at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine Research Day, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2007. Sharma A, Lamb J, Muddana V, Whitcomb DC, Papachristou GI. Visfatin polymorphisms and elevated BMI interact to increase the susceptibility to acute pancreatitis. Poster presentation at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine Research Day, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2007. Muddana V, Sharma A, Lamb J, Slivka A, Whitcomb DC, Papachristou GI. The IL-6–174 G/G genotype increases susceptibility to acute pancreatitis in obese subjects. Poster presentation at Digestive Disease Week, San Diego, California, 2008. 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. Poster presentation at Digestive Disease Week, San Diego, California, 2008. Sharma A, Ruscetta MN, Chi DH. Ophthalmologic findings in children with sensorineural hearing loss. Poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Orlando, Florida, 2008. Honors and Awards 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 Mentor: Dr. Olivera Finn
	Ann Silk graduated from Swarthmore College in 2001 with a BA in biology. She worked for 2 years as a clinical research coordinator for ovarian cancer clinical trials conducted by Dr. Ursula Matulonis and Dr. Susana Campos at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. After entering the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2003, she began mentored clinical research with Dr. Olivera Finn, chair of the Department of Immunology, on the immunology of gastrointestinal tumors. In 2008, Ann graduated with an MD and MS in Clinical Research. She is currently an internal medicine resident at the University of Pittsburgh. Publications 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;100:4712-7. 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 müllerian tumors. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. 2005;15:1035-41. Silk AW, Finn OJ. Cancer vaccines: a promising cancer therapy against all odds. Future Oncology. 2007;3:299-306.