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Alum Notes

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Spring 2001

Scribe SPRING 2001
WSU gets funding from Michigan Life Sciences Corridor Wayne State University has received funding for six project proposals submitted to the Michigan Life Sciences Corridor initiative. Three of the six projects are from medical school faculty members: Drs. Roy Baynes, Hiranmoy Bhattacharjee and June Kan-Mitchell. (See research project profiles.) In addition, WSU will house the Michigan Center for Genomic Technologies, under the direction of Dr. Mark Hughes.	Michigan Life Sciences Corridor Core Facility: Michigan Center for Genomic Technologies at WSU The Michigan Center for Genomic Technologies, one of five core Life Sciences Corridor facilities, will operate at Wayne State University with satellite offices at Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and the Van Andel Research Institute. Funding for this center was awarded at $6 million and will be led by Dr. Mark Hughes.
Michigan Life Sciences Corridor Grant: “The Michigan Cell Therapy Center of Excellence” The Michigan Cell Therapy Center of Excellence is being established as a joint venture between the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University and Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. The center’s principle aims include leveraging the unique competencies and resources of the component entities to optimize cellular therapies and to speedily bring them to clinical evaluation and implementation.	Michigan Life Sciences Corridor Grant: “Mimic Peptides of Human T Cell Epitopes as HIV Vaccines” Dr. June Kan-Mitchell and her research team are focusing their research efforts on elucidating the antiviral T cell-mediated immunity, which is pivotal for controlling the HIV infection. Using a new technology provided by her collaborators, they hope to identify new epitopes that are more effective than the natural viral proteins in generating an effective anti-HIV immune response.
Michigan Life Sciences Corridor Grant: “Mechanism of Eukaryotic Arsenic Transport and Resistance” Arsenic, which usually enters the human system through ordinary drinking water, can be toxic to cells and is associated with such ailments as cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes. With a Life Sciences Corridor grant, Dr. Hiranmoy Bhattacharjee is using a mouse model to understand how arsenic is detoxified in mammalian systems.	Graduate student receives National Research Service Award Third-year graduate student Samuel Park was awarded a National Research Service Award from the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Drug Abuse. This three-year fellowship includes funding of his graduate stipend and associated costs, and provides him with $2,500 per year to pursue his research, which focuses on neural signaling mechanisms.
Letter from the dean As some of you are aware, WSU President Irvin Reid is in the process of leading a strategic planning initiative to guide the university over the course of the next five years. Concurrently, I have initiated a strategic planning process for the School of Medicine.	WSU participates in Michigan Parkinson Initiative The state’s top experts in Parkinson’s disease have joined together to bring resources and information to patients and physicians through the Michigan Parkinson Initiative. Wayne State University faculty members Drs. Paul Cullis, Edwin George and Peter LeWitt will participate in a series of “second opinion” clinics that bring multidisciplinary teams to 15 locations throughout Michigan to evaluate patients and assist local physicians in disease management and treatment options.
Genetic and environmental factors interact for disease susceptibility With the revolution of information flowing from the Human Genome Project, a single-gene approach to research is no longer adequate. Dr. Craig Giroux’s work shows the importance of studying each gene in relation to the elements with which it interacts. This perspective examines how each gene is integrated into a larger system—not just with other genes or disease states, but with the environment at large.	WSU faculty keep Senior Health Center in operation The Senior Health Center is back by popular demand. A core group of Wayne State University faculty members rescued the former Detroit Medical Center service, which endured budget cuts and was faced with possible closure.
Treatment for “lazy eye” is more than cosmetic John Baker, MD, clinical professor of ophthalmology, is among a cohort of ophthalmologists who are providing evidence that correction of strabismus as an adult offers much more than just a cosmetic advantage to patients. Treatment can improve depth perception and field of vision in addition to enhancing self-esteem, communication skills, driving and a better chance for career advancement.	New faculty member studies association between diet and colorectal cancer Ikuko Kato, MD, PhD, joined WSU last year and brought with her a National Institutes of Health grant that examines whether iron and folate are associated with colorectal cancer risk in women. Two major findings have already been verified. First, folate does offer some protection against colorectal cancer, and second, high iron intake combined with a high-fat diet increases risk for the disease.
Study to determine whether use of defibrillators in public places saves lives As part of the two-and-a-half year study, employees of 40 Meijer stores, the Museum of African-American History and the Detroit Institute of Arts will be instructed to use defibrillators or rapid-response CPR in the case of cardiac arrest. Robert Zalenski, MD, is leading the Michigan branch of a nationwide research study to determine whether more people who have cardiac arrests in public would be more likely to be saved by lay people using defibrillators or CPR within three minutes.	Regulation of Ras plays role in cancer development Dr. Raymond Mattingly has received a Faculty Development Award in Basic Pharmacology and Toxicology from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Foundation. His studies are providing evidence that tumorigenesis may be triggered by inappropriate expression and control of the Ras protein and its exchange factor, Ras-GRF.
Microvascular contractility as an after-effect of traumatic brain injury Damage from a traumatic brain injury can continue well after the initial impact due to decreased blood flow and secondary harm to nerve cells. Two researchers are taking a closer look at these injury-related changes in the brain’s small blood vessels to learn how they occur and how to stop them. Drs. Theodor Petrov and José Rafols recently received a $1 million, three-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the problem.	Understanding calsequestrin and its role in heart function A single protein buried in a tiny organelle inside heart cells could have a major impact on heart function, and might even play a role in heart failure. Despite its importance, researchers know little about this protein called calsequestrin. Steven Cala, PhD, an assistant professor in internal medicine/cardiology, plans to change that.
Dr. Pieper to Lead Continuing Medical Education Programs David Pieper, PhD, has joined the WSU School of Medicine as assistant dean for continuing medical education (CME). In this role, he directs continuing education activities for practicing physicians throughout metropolitan Detroit and the state.	Dr. Walz named assistant dean for research at medical school John Crissman, MD, dean of the Wayne State University School of Medicine, has announced the appointment of Daniel Walz, PhD, as assistant dean for research at the medical school.
Dr. Grignon appointed chair of pathology David Grignon, MD, has been appointed chairman of the Department of Pathology at the WSU School of Medicine and specialist-in-chief of pathology for the Detroit Medical Center.	School of Medicine appoints director of biotechnology development Joan Dunbar, PhD, has been appointed director of biotechnology development at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. Her role is to promote translational research and the development of biomedical technologies with emphasis on academic-industry partnerships.
Dr. Schenk is first woman clinical chair Maryjean Schenk, MD, MPH, has been appointed chair of Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine and specialist-in-chief of family medicine for the Detroit Medical Center. She is the first woman to serve as chair of a clinical department at the school, where two women currently serve as chairs of basic science departments.	Student group provides intersection for love of medicine, nature “It’s important to know how to get a person safely out of a tough spot and to a place where they can receive proper care,” said Trevor Nydam, president of the Wilderness Medicine Student Interest Group, Wayne State University’s chapter of the Wilderness Medical Society. The scope of wilderness medicine can include: health risks from plants, animals and specific environments; search and rescue protocol; and infectious diseases from wilderness and foreign travel.
WSU provides outreach for people with hearing loss The newly inaugurated Lions Hearing Center of Southeastern Michigan will benefit hearing impaired people across the state through education, treatment and service. The center, which is located in the University Health Center, is a partnership between local Lions Clubs, Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center.	Medical students recognized for research
Rounds	Honors
New faculty	Upcoming symposia

Alum Notes SPRING 2001
Alumna Trailblazer The first woman to head a clinical department at the School of Medicine, Maryjean Schenk, MD,’83, has been appointed by Dean John Crissman to chair the Department of Family Medicine.	Alum’s Career Reflects Social Commitment Dr. Silas Norman, Jr. has dedicated his 25-year medical career to shaping health care policy and practice to improve lives of others he describes as “common people, like myself.” But Dr. Norman is an uncommon individual.
Recent grad tackles health crises in global hot-spots Few School of Medicine alumni are as engaged with global health issues as Jamie Eliades, MD, ’96. Currently a fellow at the Johns Hopkins University Department of Emergency Medicine’s Center for International Emergency, Disaster and Refugee Studies, Dr. Eliades is also completing a masters degree in public health and has been gaining first-hand experience around the world.	Alum Appointed New York City’s Top School Physician A recent New York Times feature article introduced readers to Terry Marx, MD, ’81, who was appointed to a newly created position as chief physician for the New York City Public Schools. With 1,100 elementary, junior and senior high schools throughout the city’s five boroughs, this system is among the nation’s largest. Dr. Marx has accepted the formidable challenges of developing and implementing policies to address student health care issues.
Sandberg Gift Will Support Student Researchers Through the generosity of a 1953 graduate and his wife, the School of Medicine will expand the popular Summer Fellowship Program. The Dr. Hershel and Lois Sandberg Medical Student Scholarship Fund for Summer Research Fellowships will enable additional students to conduct research under faculty supervision during 12 weeks each summer.	Alumni Describe Experiences at Career Evening At the Alumni-Student Career Evening, an annual Medical Alumni Association event, 100 School of Medicine students learned about practicing various medical specialties by meeting with alumni who shared first-hand insights into their career experiences.
Donors honored for contributions to pediatric research Wayne State University’s School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Michigan joined together Jan. 31 to honor donors who altogether pledged more than $17 million during the past two years to support the institutions’ shared pediatric research mission through endowed chairs and professorships.	Pathfinders To Be Honored at Comerica Park’s Tiger Club A reception and dinner will honor the accomplishments of five exemplary individuals. Joan Stryker, MD, Kamran Moghissi, MD, Julius Combs, MD, and Mary Fisher will receive awards. Charles Vincent, MD, will be honored posthumously.
Class notes Want to know what your classmates and colleagues are up to? Check here.	Medical Alumni Reunion & Clinic Day: May 18 – 19, 2001
Freedom Festival Fireworks	President’s update
Program Will Examine Estate Planning Issues	Wings Fans Enjoy Evening at “the Joe”
Briefs Endowed chair honors Dr. Tranchida; Grandon Prize in Ophthalmology; Telefund raises $529,000; Faculty match campaign surpasses goal; Pharmacology department honors founders	We’ve moved! The Department of Development and Alumni Affairs has relocated to 101 E. Alexandrine.
Upcoming events	Send news

Scribe
Alum Notes
Spring 2001

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