Breakthroughs in the Making

New Frontiers in Immunology

By Stacey Walters

The University of Pikeville secured its first-ever National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant. The $428,397 award, granted through the NIH R15 Research Enhancement Program, will support groundbreaking work in immunology led by Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Associate Dean of Biomedical Sciences Malgorzata Simm, Ph.D., M.Sc., FCM. NIH grants undergo rigorous review by expert panels, ensuring that funded projects significantly contribute to advancing biomedical knowledge. Simm, who has been with KYCOM for five years, sees this grant as a transformative moment for the institution.

“In the past five years, I have observed a growing momentum of research development at UPIKE,” said Simm. “Adding the NIH funds brings national recognition to the research conducted here.”

Simm leads a team of experts, including Professor of Anatomy Julia Smith, DH.Ed., Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Microbiologist Sujin Bao, Ph.D., Research Laboratory Assistant Bryan Chris Crager, and Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness and Athletics Compliance Administrator Margaret Sidle, Ph.D., along with a group of dedicated students. Together, they are focused on immunosenescence, the aging of the immune system. Their research centers on the thymus, a crucial immune organ that deteriorates with age. The team aims to determine how often a functional thymus is found in older adults and identify factors that predict thymic longevity.

“Modern research cannot be conducted in a vacuum. Collaboration leads to new ideas and directions. We have already determined two markers that may predict a person’s longevity based on the fitness of their immune system. Our current research will provide a blueprint for the aging thymus and validate whether these markers are associated with age, gender and cause of death,” said Simm. “The immune system is most affected by the aging process. Understanding how age-related changes impact susceptibility to infections, chronic diseases and vaccine responses is of great importance.”

Exploring Estrogen’s Role in Heart Health

By AMY CHARLES, MBA ’23

In spring 2024, the American Heart Association awarded Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine Professor of Physiology Guichun Han, M.D., Ph.D., a $154,000 research grant. Han’s study focuses on the impact of estrogen on heart disease and stroke in women, particularly examining how these effects vary with age. This research aims to address the major health issue of coronary artery disease, which remains the leading cause of death among older women. While estrogen has shown protective effects against heart disease in younger women, its benefits appear diminished after menopause. Some studies indicate an increased risk for stroke and coronary heart disease as women age. Treatments like baby aspirin and statins appear to be more effective in men, highlighting the need for alternate treatment interventions for women.

Han’s research is centered on the mechanism of estrogen receptors on coronary artery relaxation. Although the research is only in its first year, significant progress has been made in understanding the role of estrogen receptors in regulating coronary artery tension. Her team of students is investigating how these receptors influence blood vessel function and their potential role in preventing stroke and heart disease in women.

“The hope is our research could lead to novel therapeutic approaches, including new medicines or targeted treatments for women at high risk of coronary artery disease,” said Han. “I’m proud to be working with such a talented team of students on this important research.”