The
LABORATORY REPORT
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Dr. Muthiah Kumaraswami Receives Grant from American Heart Association
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mild pharyngitis and impetigo to r. Muthiah Kumaraslife threatening flesh-eating diswami, an investigator ease and toxic shock syndrome. in the Department’s Post-infection sequelae can also Center for Molecular and Transinclude acute rheumatic heart lational Human Infectious Disdisease, the leading cause of eases Research, has received a 4cardiovascular morbidity and year Scientist Development mortality in young people in Grant from the American Heart developing countries. Association to study the effect of In the proposed studies, Dr. gene regulation on virulence in Kumaraswami will use genetic, group A Streptococcus. biochemical, biophysical, and “These bacteria cause a wide crystallographic methods to range of infections, and some elucidate the role of growthcan be very serious,” said Dr. phase-specific secreted small Kumaraswami. “Understanding Dr. Kumaraswami (right), with Senior Research Technician Nishanth peptides as potential intercelluwhy some Streptococcus infecMakthal, in their laboratory at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute. lar signals in the gene regulation tions are more severe than others of Streptococcus virulence. is important, and will help us For more information on Dr. Kumarasdevelop more effective treatments.” wami, visit methodisthealth.com/ Group A Streptococcus causes a broad Kumaraswami. range of clinical manifestations, from
Trainee Spotlight: Jian Chen, M.D., Ph.D. PGY4 Resident
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r. Jian Chen, PGY4 clinical pathology resident, is the recipient of the Department’s Trainee Leadership and Innovation Award for the 4th quarter of 2012. He received the award for initiating and conducting a stem cell donation study with Dr. Christopher Leveque that resulted in a Fenwal Award from the American Association of Blood Banks. Dr. Chen will also be presenting a poster on partial e antibody at the Texas Society of Pathologists’ 92nd Annual Meeting in Austin in January. Dr. Chen received his medical degree from the Shandong Medical University in China and his Ph.D. in molecular and cellular pathology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He completed a blood banking/transfusion medicine fellowship at Methodist last year.
Jian Chen, M.D., Ph.D.
Office of Academic Development to Hold Additional Seminars
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he Office of Academic Development (OAD) in the Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine has scheduled its seminars and workshops for 2013. “These seminars can be very helpful to trainees and junior faculty,” said Dr. Kathryn Stockbauer, manager of the OAD. “It gives them the information they need to „jump start‟ their academic development and really get moving with their projects.” The OAD will hold 2 one-hour seminars
Dr. Stockbauer leading a scientific writing seminar with trainees in 2011.
in the first quarter of 2013. These seminars will cover research credentialing, ARAF/IRB submissions, and study design (Jan. 15), and scientific writing and presentations (Mar. 12). A more interactive workshop on manuscript development will be held in April. That workshop will last approximately 2 hours, and attendees will bring actual manuscripts in preparation to further develop with the instructor. For more information on the OAD, visit methodisthealth.com/OAD.