Faculty News (continued from page 5)
Research Staff Introductions Kimberlee Mix, PhD
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, Loyola University
Dr. Kimberlee Mix is excited about the work she is doing in her sabbatical with the Department of Orthopaedics at LSU Health New Orleans (LSUHNO). “This is a great opportunity to work with a dedicated team on some translational research that could have a profound impact on producing better patient outcomes following surgery,” she explained. Dr. Mix’s investigation is aligned with precision medicine, as it examines molecular features within individual patients in conjunction with demographic factors. In the future, results from the study may lead to customized treatments for patients recovering from joint replacement. Her work benefits from the tissue repository created by Dr. Vinod Dasa in the Department of Orthopaedics, and colleagues from across the LSUHNO system. The repository, funded by the Louisiana Clinical & Translational Science Center (LA CaTS), is a translational research effort meant to apply science research in order to move discovery and knowledge into a clinical testing environment with patients. The tissue samples are examined by Dr. Mix and the basic science research team, while the clinical team monitors patient health and outcomes after joint replacement. This approach will allow the interdisciplinary group to better understand how patients with osteoarthritis recover after joint replacement surgery. Her research examines specific molecular factors involved in inflammation and cartilage degradation. “We’re seeing results that align with other research indicating that race, age, and gender can predict some outcomes, like increased pain,” she said. “What we’re trying to understand is which biological factors also may be contributing to these disparities.” “We hope to use these findings and information to help customize treatment for each patient,” Dr. Mix said. “The results of this research can help physicians better manage treatment, and improve outcomes and health quality for every patient.” As an associate professor of biological sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Loyola University New Orleans, Dr. Mix involves her students not only in the discussion of disease mechanisms in the classroom, but also encourages them to participate in research as well. “Engaging students in health disparities research increases their awareness about the complexities of research and the practice of medicine,” she explained. “Findings by these students interested in pursuing a medical degree helps improve understanding of how health disparities coupled with molecular mechanics can impact patient outcomes.” Dr. Mix is a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and
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received her PhD in biochemistry from Dartmouth College. She has collaborated on translational research projects related to arthritis at New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases and University College Dublin in Ireland. She has taught at Loyola University New Orleans since 2009. She lives in New Orleans with her husband, Ram, and children, Kiran (7) and Priya (4).
Jennifer Simkin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Research
“I will be joining the department as an Assistant Professor of Research. My goal is to make sure everyone, regardless of their sex, ethnic background, and economic class, has the best opportunity for positive long-term outcomes after surgery. To accomplish this, my work seeks both new and supplemental clinical therapies tailored for the individual and will help uncover the molecular basis behind disparate health outcomes.”
Luis Marrero, Ph.D., HTL (ASCP)
Assistant Professor, Orthopedic Surgery Director, Morphology and Imaging – School of Medicine
“The overarching goal of our research team is to bridge the gap between basic science and orthopedic medicine in an effort to address musculoskeletal disease, trauma, and patient disparities during recovery from surgical intervention against osteoarthritis. My work as a Research Professor of Orthopedics will focus on manipulating the inflammatory response, extracellular microenvironment remodeling, and cellular metabolic crisis during traumatic limb injury to encourage salvage, repair, and regeneration of damaged soft tissue and bone. I plan to conceptualize projects and design experiments in strategic synergy with the rest of our research team of scientists and clinicians while using established collaborations with researchers at Tulane Medical School, Texas A&M, Fort Gordon, and the Medical University of South Carolina.”
Harel Schwartzberg
Chair-Elect, LSU Musculoskeletal Research Committee
“My main goal for the coming year as chair-elect is to learn as much as I can from my senior members Jacob Neary and Hunter Starring so when it is my turn to fill the position of committee chair we can continue to publish a large volume of high quality orthopedic research projects. Another big goal for us moving forward is the institution of a system in which older students with research experience are paired with younger students on research projects so that we create a cycle of older medical students orienting their less experienced peers as to how we accomplish quality research through the musculoskeletal research committee.”