Grants Awarded
Grant awarded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Dr. Bryan O’Hara, a Research Assistant Professor of Biochemistry in the School of Medicine at WVU, was recently awarded an eighteen month, $100,000 grant to study a new scientific-based therapy to improve nutrition. This Foundation award will allow Drs. O’Hara and Rajendran to continue their investigation of the contributing factors causing disturbances in the colon, commonly in infants, which lead to the appearance of chronic diarrhea. The research is intended to develop basic biological information that can be used in developing clinical-grade compounds that will provide an effective method of treatment of chronic colitis and persistent diarrhea.
Bryan joined the faculty at WVU in 2009 following the completion of several research positions with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Progenics Pharmaceuticals and an academic appointment at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine early on in his career. Prior to these appointments, he completed his postdoctoral studies with Drs. George Vande Woude and Don Blair in the Department of Molecular Oncology at the National Cancer Institute, FCRDC. He received his formal scientific education at various institutions, earning his B.S. degree from the Department of Microbiology at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland and Ph.D. degree within the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Cincinnati’s School of Medicine. Bryan performed his dissertation work in the laboratories of Drs. Lang and Lingrel within the Department of Microbiology at UC.
This is a prestigious award designed to provide continued support for the research program of a senior research investigator within the Department. This work is part of the independent research program of Dr. V. M. Rajendran, a Professor within the Department of Biochemistry.
Dr. Rajendran is a co-Investigator on this award with Bryan. Congratulaions Brian...!!
Grant awarded by the American Diabetes Association
Dr. Brad Hillgartner, a Professor of Biochemistry in the School of Medicine at WVU, was recently awarded a three year, $345,000 grant to study a hormone that he and other researchers believe has the potential to help reverse some of the effects of diabetes and obesity. The ADA Basic Science Award will allow Dr. Hillgartner and his laboratory team to continue their investigation of fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) in animals. FGF-21, produced in the liver, appears to have an impact of both diseases. The research is intended to develop basic biological information that can be used in developing drugs or nutritional supplements that will enhance the body’s production of FGF-21.
Brad joined the faculty at WVU in the spring of 1992, following the completion of his postdoctoral studies with Dr. Alan Goodridge in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Iowa. He received his formal scientific education at various institutions, earning his B.S. degree from Pennsylvania State University, his M.S. degree from the University of California, Davis and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Brad performed his dissertation work in the laboratory of Dr. Dale Romsos within the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at MSU.
This is a prestigious award designed to provide continued support for the research program of a valuable faculty and senior investigator within the Department. This work is part of the dissertation project of Holly Cyphert, who is a Ph.D. candidate in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Program.
Congratulations Brad...!!
Grant awarded by the International Myeloma Foundation
Dr. David M. Smith, an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry in the School of Medicine at WVU, was recently awarded a one year, $80,000 International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) grant to study new ways to inhibit proteasome function that could be relevant to the treatment of Multiple Myeloma. This Brian D. Novis research award will allow Dr. Smith and his laboratory team to continue their search for novel ways to inhibit the 20S proteasome. Velcade®, a proteasome inhibitor, is a first line therapy for Multiple Myeloma; however, it is toxic to patients, most likely because of the central roles the 20S proteasome plays in cellular regulation. This research is intended to develop basic biological information that can be used in developing a new type of proteasome inhibitor that are less toxic and more effective for treating Multiple Myeloma.
David joined the faculty at WVU in the fall of 2010, following the completion of an academic appointment as an Instructor in Cell Biology at Harvard University’s Medical School. Prior to this appointment, he completed his postdoctoral studies with Dr. Alfred Goldberg in the Department of Cell Biology at Harvard University’s Medical School. David’s doctoral research was performed in the laboratory of Dr. Q. Ping Dou, in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center at the University of South Florida.
This is a prestigious award intended to support the research program of a promising junior investigator in the early stages of their career. Congratulations David...!!
Awards
Michael Schaller, Ph.D.
2012 Dean’s Excellence for Service Award Winner
Dr. Michael Schaller, Chairman and Professor of Biochemistry in the School of Medicine at WVU, was recently presented with the 2012 School of Medicine Dean’s Excellence in Service Award for his exemplary contributions to the service mission of the School of Medicine and the Health Sciences Center at WVU. The Dean’s Excellence Award program is an opportunity for faculty, staff and students to nominate any faculty who makes outstanding contributions to the service mission of the school. Mike’s numerous nominations and support for this award came from the faculty of the Department who understand and appreciate the effort he has put into reshaping the department, which has resulted in our growth in faculty and a rejuvenated graduate program that is now one of the more attractive and popular programs in the School of Medicine. Dr. Schaller has created a supportive, productive and encouraging atmosphere throughout the Department. He has also been a key organizer of a new Cell Biology Training Program, which has brought together students and faculty from across the HSC who have common interests in the discipline of cell biology. His extensive participation on numerous School of Medicine committees has been vital in stimulating research and academic excellence across the Health Science Center.
Mike joined the Department of Biochemistry as a Professor and new Chairperson in 2008. Mike received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, where his dissertation work was performed in the laboratory of Drs. S. Mak and F.L. Graham in the Department of Biology. He completed his postdoctoral studies with Dr. J.T. Parsons in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Virginia’s School of Medicine, and he then accepted a faculty position in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he quickly established an internationally-recognized research program investigating focal adhesion kinase.
Congratulations on your well-deserved award Mike...!!
Visvanathan Ramamurthy, Ph.D.
2012 Dean’s Excellence for Research Award Winner
Dr. Vishy Ramamurthy, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Biochemistry within the School of Medicine at WVU, was recently presented with the 2012 School of Medicine Dean’s Excellence in Research Award for his exemplary contributions to the research mission of the School of Medicine and the Health Sciences Center at WVU. The Dean’s Excellence Award program is an opportunity for faculty, staff and students to nominate any faculty who makes outstanding contributions to the research mission of the school. The long-term goal of Vishy’s research is to decipher the biochemical pathways that control the complex processing of information through neurons to the brain, using the visual system as a model to understand this process. Vishy’s nominations and support for this award came from faculty in two departments who understand and appreciate the effort he has put into establishing himself as an independent researcher through publishing his work in high profile journals and the active role he played in securing a highly competitive “Research to Prevent Blindness” challenge grant, an NIH RO1 award and other multiple grants from the Lion’s Foundation and WVU’s internal granting system.
Vishy joined the Department of Biochemistry as an Assistant Professor in 2006. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Birla Institute of Technology & Science in Pilani, India, which is one of the country’s most prestigious institutions. He received his Ph.D. in 1998 for his dissertation research in the laboratory of Dr. Donald Oliver in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. He completed his postdoctoral studies with Dr. James Hurley in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Washington, Seattle, where he quickly established his own research program investigating retinal degeneration and phosphodiesterases.
Congratulations on your well-deserved award Vishy...!!
Mary Wimmer, Ph.D.
2012 Distinguished Teacher Award Winner
Dr. Mary Wimmner, a Professor of Biochemistry in the School of Medicine at WVU, was recently awarded the 2012 School of Medicine Distinguished Teacher award for her outstanding contributions as a teacher and as a coordinator of professional and medical courses offered within the Health Sciences Center at WVU. Mary has been a leader in developing Problem-Based Learning for our medical students, and she has worked tirelessly to ensure excellence in professional education. Mary is also outstanding in the classroom, one of our university’s most respected teachers. She is described as “exceptional, passionate, innovative, enthusiastic, patient, generous and organized” by her students in her approach and performance in the classroom setting. Her students emphasize how Mary has provided them with “confidence” and the ability to “learn and achieve great things” through her vigorous efforts to find ways to make the learning experience in the classroom a better one for our students.
Mary joined the faculty at WVU in 1978, following the completion of her postdoctoral studies with Dr. Irwin Rose at the Institute for Cancer Research in Philadelphia, PA. She received her formal scientific education at various institutions, earning her B.S. degree from the State University of New York and her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina. She performed her dissertation work in the laboratory of Dr. John Harrison in the Department of Chemistry at UNC. In 1998, Mary made the decision to close her lab and refocus her efforts towards the educational mission of the Health Sciences Center. Since that time, Mary has become a leader (as evident in the numerous awards and honors she has received) within the teaching mission of both the department and the university. We wish to thank her for all of her hard work, which has helped make our program a huge success.
Congratulations on your well-deserved award Mary...!!
Peter Stoilov, Ph.D.
Most Involved Faculty Member
Congratulations to Dr. Peter Stoilov for being named the “Most Involved Faculty Member” of the Biochemistry Department’s Seminar Series and Research Forum. The departmental Seminar Series is presented by scientists invited from outside of the department or institution, with the goal of broadening our awareness of state-of-the-art developments in research and, potentially, stimulating new collaborative efforts. The weekly departmental Research Forum is aninternal mechanism designed to stimulate a lively discussion by faculty, research staff, and students of current research in laboratories across thedepartment. The students were asked to vote for the faculty member who combined a stellar record for attending seminars and forum with active, constructive participation in discussions at these venues. Peter, a new faculty member who joined the Biochemistry Department as an Assistant Professor in early 2010, was their choice. Peter is also always eager to assist graduate students with their research by sharing his technical expertise and laboratory resources.
Thanks, Peter, for all your help and Congrats!!