January 5, 2012

For many years, KU Medical Center's research around reproductive issues has broadened the world's understanding of human reproduction, pregnancy, fetal development and the diagnosis and treatment of male and female infertility.

Our efforts in reproductive research took a great leap forward in 2010 with the launching of KUMC's Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine (IRHRM). The IRHRM brought more than 40 of our research laboratories together to form an institute that combines our strengths in clinical, translational and basic science research focusing on reproductive biology, developmental origins of health and disease and epigenetics and stem cell biology. 

Under the leadership of Michael J. Soares, PhD, with Carl P. Weiner, MD, serving as associate director, the IRHRM has dedicated itself to preventing disease and promoting health in children and adults by focusing on the earliest stages of life. The institute is organized into three highly interactive centers with overlapping research interests:

The Center for Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology, directed by Kenneth R. Peterson, PhD, investigates how cells increase in number, become specialized and organize into tissues during embryonic development. The center is developing tools that will lead to potential treatments for infertility and a range of conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, liver fibrosis, stroke, heart disease, sickle cell disease and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and others.

The Center for Reproductive Sciences, directed by David Albertini, PhD, focuses on the issues of population control and treatment of human infertility. Our experts in molecular genetics, developmental and cellular biology are using state-of-the-art technology resources to address human reproductive health problems.

The Center for the Developmental Origins of Health and Adult Disease, directed by Carl P. Weiner, MD, seeks to understand how maternal physiology and pathology affect fetal development. This research will impact the health and longevity of future generations because a number of adult health care problems, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and many cancers, have their origins during fetal life.

I am so excited about the opportunities for research collaboration among the skilled scientists of the IRHRM. I am confident the institute will solidify our goal to become a leader in the effort to improve reproductive health and regenerative medicine worldwide.

Representatives with the annual Tour de BBQ cycling event presented a $50,000 check to The University of Kansas Cancer Center this week. Pictured are Carrie Helfers, grassroots fundraising liaison for the Tour de BBQ; Roy Jensen, MD, director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center; Kelly Urich, vice president of entertainment for the Tour de BBQ; Chris Deffenbaugh, coordinator of marketing and public relations for the School of Health Professions and vice president of communications for the Tour de BBQ; Nicole Moodie, cancer community liaison for the Tour de BBQ; and Jenn Nussbeck, director of sponsorships for the Tour de BBQ.

Around campus

2011 was a stellar year for KUMC faculty members, many of whom received national and international awards. A list of some of the major awards is currently on the KUMC website.

The KU website has a neat slide show that features the university's biggest accomplishments of 2011. Among the highlights are our NCI application submission and the opening of the School of Medicine–Salina. You can see the slide show here.

Julie Wei, MD, president of the School of Medicine's Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS) organization, will speak on "Managing Burnout and Living Your Best Life" on Thursday, Jan. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. in G013 School of Nursing Auditorium. Please RSVP for lunch.

A reminder that nominations for the Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Awards are due in the Office of Graduate Studies by Friday, Jan. 27. Nominations must be in the office at 5015 Wescoe by 5 p.m.

In collaboration with the Kansas Sports Concussion Partnership, School of Medicine–Wichita psychologists and assistant professors Kelli Netson, PhD, and Robin Heinrichs, PhD, LP, have helped create an exciting new website with education guides for coaches, school officials, parents, and student athletes, and provides reliable concussion assessment tools and standards of care.

Buddy, a beautiful African grey parrot with a very special relationship to KU Medical Center, is making quite a splash this week on YouTube. A video of Buddy singing the Rock Chalk Jayhawk chant was posted on the KU Medical Center Facebook page on Wednesday and has already been viewed by thousands of people. Check it out!

In the news

The New York Times ran an article this week featuring JiSun Choi, a postdoctoral fellow in nursing and long-term care at the School of Nursing, and her study on whether nonprofit nursing homes do a better job of caring for patients.

The Lawrence Journal World this week had an update on The University of Kansas Cancer Center's quest for NCI designation and the upcoming NCI site visit in February. Read more here.

Voice of America News aired a story on the new School of Medicine–Salina campus and its unique approach to training rural physicians. The story included interviews with School of Medicine–Salina director William Cathcart-Rake, MD, and first-year medical student Claire Hinrichsen. You can listen to the story here.

The School of Medicine–Salina program was referenced in a recent news story in the Argus Leader in South Dakota about that state's efforts to train more rural doctors. Details here.

Kudos

School of Medicine–Wichita assistant research professor Cari Ahlers-Schmidt, PhD, was recently elected to the Society for Pediatric Research. The organization’s mission is to foster the research and career development of investigators engaged in creating new knowledge that advances the health and well-being of children and youth.

Rick Kellerman, MD, chair of Family and Community Medicine at the School of Medicine–Wichita, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Wichita Medical Research and Education Foundation.