April 2011 - GSO Newsletter

The GSO News GHSU Graduate Student Organization

Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2011

www.georgiahealth.edu/gradstudies/students.html

Graduate Research Day 2011

Inside this Issue

Samuel Herberg

Graduate Research Day 2011

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Kickin’ It For The Kids

1

GHSU Chorus

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I AM FIT a Success

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Student: Anil Bhatta

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Student: Caitlin Madigan

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Alumni: Dr. Dennis Marshall

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Japan Relief

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Start!

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UGA/GHSU Exhibition

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Happenings

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The largely anticipated 27th annual Graduate Research Day (GRD) of the new College of Graduate Studies was held on March 25. A total of 115 graduate students (1st – 6th year) including international graduate exchange trainees from 14 programs and 21 post-doctoral fellows from 10 programs, respectively, presented their posters and gave their talks in front of the GRD judging committee. An exciting list of topics was covered and truly reflected the interdisciplinary focus of our college.

Immediately following the poster session, Dr. Azziz gave his keynote address:

In Search of the Etiology of Adrenal Androgen Excess in Women: A 20 Year Journey. And while most students by now had a chance to listen to at least one professional talk of our President, this presentation was special in that Dr. Azziz provided some insights into his past and active research as a clinician scientist.

This year’s festivities culminated on April 19 with the GRD awards banquet where all 2011 award recipients were announced. Congratulations to all winners! O

Kickin’ it for the kids a success This March, SGA Representative Anil Bhatta, got together a group of graduate students to form a GSO team and play in the SGA Volunteer Committee’s Kickball Tournament which was held in the gym of the Wellness Center. The tournament was organized by current SGA Humanitarian, Aimee Hartle, and

photography by Patricia Cameron

Colleen Carey

2011 graduate research day participants poster presentations.

…to “Kickin’ it”, pg. 6 The GSO News

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GHSU Chorus Namita Hattangady

I AM FIT Program a Success for GPI Colleen Carey The I AM Fit program, developed and spearheaded by the Georgia Prevention Institute here at GHSU seeks to instill good physical health habits in its participants with the hope that these habits will continue throughout their lifetimes. This program is a 4 year program collaboration between GHSU and AR Johnson school and aims to determine the effects of increased physical activity, in the form of walking, on blood pressure and body weight. Each student is given a pedometer and the goal of walking 10,000 steps per day.

The challenge has been posed that in this 4 year time span students will ‘walk around the world’. In previous years teams have walked through South

...to “I AM FIT”, pg. 7

photograph submitted by Namita Hattangady

GHSU, though a health sciences educator by definition, acknowledges the importance of arts in our lives. A product of this thought is ‘The GHSU Chorus’.

The choir consists of GHSU staff members, students, retirees as well as family members and friends of GHSU who enjoy singing together. The choir is managed by Tricia Perea, the liaison officer, coordinated in the academic year 2010-11 by Namita Hattangady (President), Chelsea Jones (Vice President) and Bhavna Desai (Secretary). This year, GHSU Chorus has had a fun filled and productive year performing for several occasions such as the Noon Arts Concerts, the Cadaver Memorial, Christmas caroling for children at the Childrens’ Medical Center (CMC) as well as at the GHSU President’s House. The GHSU Chorus has also performed along with

the choral groups of Paine College and Augusta State University for Martin Luther King Day. Song selections have been versatile to suit the occasion, ranging from semi classical music, popular music by Beyonce, choral versions of soft rock such as ‘Viva la vida’ by Coldplay to childrens’ songs and church music. The choir is directed by Jayson Maynard, the Director of Music and Organist at the Covenant Presbyterian Church. The GHSU Chorus is funded by the GHSU Arts Council and their sheet music sponsored by Sky City and the Soul Bar. The choral group has also organized fund raising coffee and bake sales. After an enjoyable and memorable year of performances, the GHSU Chorus will resume its performances in the next academic year. All GHSU students and employees and well as their families and friends are invited to join and sing along and come to our events to support us! Come sing with us! O

GHSU Chorus members performing at a recent concert

The GSO News

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Anil Bhatta Colleen Carey Anil Bhatta is a 2nd year Biomedical Sciences Ph D. student in the Pharmacology program. Anil is originally from Kathmandu, Nepal and was influenced to attend GHSU by both Deepesh Pandey (recently defended) and Mary Zimmerman (3rd year) as they were

Caitlin Madigan Colleen Carey Caitlin Madigan is a 1st year Biomedical Sciences Ph D. student originally from Conyers, GA. When asked why she chose to come to GHSU Caitlin said that her participation in the STAR program as an undergraduate as well as her like of the school and Augusta had a great impact in her decision.

Caitlin has chosen the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics as her department and will be working in the Neuroscience program under the direction of Dr. Lynette McCluskey. She chose this lab because she enjoyed the research, the laboratory atmosphere and the people. Thus far, Caitlin feels that her most rewarding experience while at GHSU has been finding a lab where she

The GSO News

alumni of his undergraduate university Minnesota State University Moorhead.

In addition, upon arriving for interviews and after meeting with faculty and students Anil knew that GHSU was the right place for him.

is that of defining the role of arginase in diabetes-induced vascular proliferation and fibrosis, especially in the coronary arteries. The focus on this aspect is due to the fact that diabetes is one of the leading causes of death worldwide with coronary artery disease as one of the major complications of disease. It is their hope to show that inhibiting diabetes-induced arginase might prevent the development of vascular complications due to diabetes.

Anil works in the lab of Dr. R. William Caldwell in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Anil chose Dr. Caldwell’s lab for several reasons however perhaps one of the most influential reasons was the size of the lab. Anil felt that the size of the lab was average and contained a good mix of graduate students, post doctoral fellows and junior faculty that he would be working with on the common goal of training to become scientists of tomorrow and

Although Anil admits that as a second year he is just getting his project going and thus has not yet been afforded the opportunity for awards, publications, etc. he is looking forward to attending his first Experimental Biology Confer-

to contribute to make human health better. Anil’s particular research focus

ence as well as holding his first

feels like she belongs.

meet so many people and find out about other opportunities to become further involved”.

…to “Bhatta”, pg. 4

In addition to her studies, Caitlin has become very involved on the GHSU campus. Her major accomplishments to date include being elected as the Student Government Association Humanitarian by her peers. Furthermore, Caitlin has participated in Intramural Softball, the Student Advisory Council and the ‘I Am Fit’ team in the short time while she has been here.

Off campus Caitlin is currently training for a half-marathon in June with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team-In-Training. As a result, she mentions that running has become her main hobby!

Caitlin states “Getting involved with student organizations has allowed me to

Caitlin’s dedication to being involved and helping others will certainly be a

…to “Madigan”, pg. 4

photograph submitted by Caitlin Madigan

photograph submitted by Anil Bhatta

CURRENT STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

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photograph submitted by Dr. Marshall

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT accepted a position at Berlex Laboratories as a Research Pharmacologist where

Buccafusco Memorial Drug Discovery Lecture Seminar Series. This seminar

he was responsible for the development and overall management of the general pharmacology laboratories. After a few

began with Dr. Marshall as a guest panelist for a panel discussion of the topic of “Interactions with Basic Science

short years Dr. Marshall accepted a position with Pfizer International, Inc. first as the Assistant Director and then

and Pharmaceutical Industry” followed

by Dr. Marshall’s talk (as part of the Experimental Therapeutics Course)

Associate Director and finally Senior Associate Director of Scientific Affairs.

He later moved to a Senior Associ-

“Design and Implementation of Clinical Trials”. For those enrolled in the class this seminar provided a great perspec-

ate Director position for Worldwide Safety. Currently Dr. Marshall holds the position of Executive Director for

tive on how one can take an idea from the ground up to a potentially clinically useful product.

Medical Affairs and Clinical Operations at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in New Jersey.

Dr. Dennis Marshall Colleen Carey Dr. Dennis Marshall is a 1984 graduate, “With Distinction” from the Pharmacology PhD program here at Georgia Health Sciences University, mentored under Dr. Jerry Buccafusco. Upon graduation from GHSU (Medical College of Georgia at that time) Dr. Marshall took a more industry focused path and

...from “Bhatta”, pg. 3 committee meeting and getting through qualifying exams this summer.

Outside of the lab, Anil has been very involved. Currently he is participating in two intramural sports (soccer and softball) and always looks forward to getting involved in as many social activities on campus as there are to be offered. Anil also enjoys very much to watch different sports in his free time.

In addition Anil is currently serving as a Student Government Association Representative for the Graduate

The GSO News

In addition to his excellent contributions to the pharmaceutical industry Dr. Marshall has also held academic appointments at universities including University of Medicine and Dentistry and Fairleigh Dickinson University, both in New Jersey.

When discussing with Dr. Marshall what advice he might give to students currently in the biomedical sciences PhD program he emphasized the need to ‘network, network, and network’.

Dr. Marshall stated, “Use every opportunity to meet and interact with fellow scientists and colleagues because you never know what these meetings and interactions may lead to regarding opportunities in the future.” O

Dr. Marshall recently visited campus to give a talk for the first annual Dr. Jerry

Student Organization as well as a member of the Student Health Advisory Committee.

Anil’s “survival” strategy at GHSU and in Augusta in general is to “work your tail off and the same goes for ‘rest’ and ‘fun’.” He tried to balance his school and out-of school life especially in trying to make time for GSO events such as camping, holiday parties, etc. as well as community things such as First Friday’s downtown and Wild Wing Tuesdays!

Since moving to Augusta Anil says his

most rewarding experience is to, “be able to go outside in shorts and t-shirts during winter months”. Although he is a devout Minnesota fan and loves his Vikings, he says the cold weather can take its toll on you and he really enjoys the difference in weather that is afforded here in Augusta! O

...from “Madigan”, pg. 3 great asset to whatever her project may be and we wish her the best academically as well as encourage her to stay involved as much as she can! O

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GSO donates to American Red Cross for Japan Earthquake and Tsunami victims On March 10 Japan was hit by the most powerful earthquake (8.9-magnitude) in recorded history, which unleashed a disastrous tsunami that also affected other countries in the Pacific region. It caused the formation of 30-foot walls of water that swept across rice fields, engulfed entire towns, dragged houses onto highways, tossed cars and boats like toys, and led to a nuclear crisis that kept the world in suspense.

In response to these events, the Graduate Student Organization launched a fundraising campaign on behalf of the American Red Cross of Augusta on March 14. As many of you know, several Japanese graduate students and post-doctoral fellows study and work amongst us at our university.

photograph submitted by Samuel Herberg

Samuel Herberg

Samuel Herberg with Ms. Jennifer Pennington, Exec. Director of the American Red Cross of Augusta collect a total of $1792.26 over the last month. Together with Ms. Jennifer Pennington, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Augusta, we would like to extend our thank you.

With your help we’ve been able to exceed our fundraising goal and send a

Through a concerted effort of our diverse graduate student body, faculty, and staff alike, we have been able to

strong signal from our university and our organization to the greater community. We greatly appreciate our collaboration with the American Red Cross of Augusta and the ability to contribute to those in need. O

Start! 2010-11 Heart Walk – A walk to remember Namita Hattangady

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), CPR and many more.

It was that time of year again – the time for the ‘Start! 2010-11 Heart walk’.

‘Start!’ is an annual non-competitive,

photography by Katie Spitler

fund-raiser event organized by one of the largest and most successful volun-

The GSO News

This year, on March 5th 2011, more than 1000 walkers of all ages, from the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) region, from various organizations

tary health organizations –the American Heart Association, whose mission is “Building healthier lives, free of cardio-

walked a distance of almost 4 miles at North Augusta’s breathtaking Greenway. GHSU was enthusiasti-

vascular diseases and stroke”. Over sever-

cally represented by several groups including a team of the ‘GHSU-

al years, the AHA has been contributing towards major discoveries and research in the areas of cardiovascular damage.

It has also been providing training in

Graduate Student Organization (GSO)’. Captained by the GSO Vice

…to “Start”, pg. 7 5

2011 UGA/GHSU Scientific & Medical Illustration Exhibition for his surgical piece titled “ Extensor Indicis Tendon Transfer Surgery.” This image demonstrates in exquisite detail the necessary procedure for reconstructing tendons in the wrist and hand.

Colby Polonsky, class of 2011, also received a certificate of merit for her editorial illustration called “Keeping in Touch with Your Heart.” Her piece deftly combines references from classical art with a nearly photorealistic drawing of a human heart. Finally, second year class president Paul Kim, also class of

Carly Trowbridge

Every student of the Medical Illustration program was encouraged to enter one or two of their finest pieces to be displayed. The splendid artwork from GHSU students varied from photorealistic images of surgical instruments, to full color multistep renderings of complex surgical procedures. During the gallery opening, honors for outstanding examples of medical and scientific illustration were awarded. Three of GHSU’s students took home awards for their excellent work. Joshua Bird, class of 2011, received a certificate of merit

...from “I AM FIT”, pg. 2 America, Australia, Madagascar and Africa. This year the trek continued on through Asia, Europe and Russia. The total distance for this leg of the journey was 5,260 miles. The final year, next year, students will walk across Scandinavia, Greenland, Canada and right back to where it all started in Augusta, GA. During this year’s 8 week competition

The GSO News

This annual event is co-curated by Gene Wright, Director of the Scientific Illustration Program at UGA and Bill Andrews, Director, David J. Mascaro Teaching Gallery, Department of Medical Illustration at MCG. O

photography by Thomas Hays

On Wednesday March 2nd, 2011, the combined classes of Georgia Health Sciences University’s Medical Illustration program traveled to Athens, Georgia for the 2011 UGS/GHSU Scientific & Medical Illustration Exhibition. The trip was a joint effort by the Scientific Illustration department at the University of Georgia in Athens, and GHSU’s own Medical Illustration program.

Artwork from both programs was placed on display that day in the main gallery of the Lamar Dodd School of Art on the UGA campus.

2011, received the prestigious William J. Stenstrom Award of Excellence for the second year in a row. His sensational and award-winning poster was entitled “Viagra and its Treatment of ED”. Congratulations to all of the winners!

Joshua Bird, Colby Polonsky, and Paul Kim with Medical Illustration Dept. Chair, Steven Harrison

six teams competed; 4 from AR Johnson, one for each grade and a teacher team and 2 teams from GHSU, to walk a total of 48,601 miles. Each team successfully walked to 5,260 miles to get them to the start of the final leg next year!

Here at GHSU our team kept up the tradition of leading the way with the most miles. We had a large majority

of our team members reach the 70k a week goal and many walkers ended the program with their highest steps yet. Of note Dr. Schafer was in the 100k club every week, and Ms. Azziz placed as our highest stepper.

Although the results of this year’s study have yet to be completely analyzed, based on previous data we expect to

…to “I AM FIT”, pg. 7 6

...from “Kickin’ It”, pg. 1

Despite the fact that even with double elimination tournament play the GSO team ‘Experimental Disasters’ were unable to bring home the coveted tournament trophy, all who participated had fun and helped to support a great cause.

In total the event, including player fees, donations and the sale of baked goods and snacks throughout the tournament, raised a total of $687.00 towards the overall cost of this child’s dream, which is $2500.

It is Aimee’s hope that this event becomes an annual charity event to support the Kid’s Wish Network and encourages anyone who didn’t get the chance to play this year to plan on being involved next year. For those interested in making a donation to this cause please see the information below. Also check out our team picture! Unfortunately not pictured are Ashlee Tipton and Folami Lamoke who had to leave after the first game. O

…from “Start”, pg. 5 President, Katie Spitler, the team was comprised of graduate students, staff, faculty and their families and friends.

The Heart Walk aimed at not only raising funds towards the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders, but also increasing awareness about heart disease and stroke, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers. It involved families and friends and, in a fun way, encouraged physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle while also raising funds for this cause. This year, the GHSU-GSO Team’s fund-raising efforts have been

The GSO News

photography by Aimee Hartle

aimed to raise funds to benefit the Kid’s Wish Network for a local Augusta girl with sickle cell disease to help fulfill her wish of wanting to meet singer Beyonce.

GSO’s Experimental Disaster kickball team

...from “I AM FIT”, pg. 6

To make a donation: Kids Wish Network Attn: Donna - Development Office 4060 Louis Avenue Holiday, Florida 34691 *Put “Kickball” in the memo*

find similar statistical significance in the effects that increased physical exercise can have on overall well-being, especially at a young age.

Despite the fact that this program is over for the year, those who have participated encourage anyone who is looking for a way to get fit to consider purchasing a pedometer and challenging yourself to walk 10k a day! O

very successful, collecting over $1100,

go a long way in supporting research

more than double the initial target of

in the field of cardiovascular damage

$500! This formed a small yet important contribution towards the year’s event goal of $260,000.

and touching the lives of those afflicted with one of these disorders. The effort towards Start! 2010-11 Heart walk was

We would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude towards all those who

a truly inspiring, thoroughly enjoyable and a very memorable event! We hope

helped support this cause with their participation and generosity. The AHA has been a large and generous source of

that GHSU’s participation continues to grow over the years in this fight against heart disease and stroke. Good Job

funding for GHSU, supporting several

Team GHSU-GSO! O

research labs and awarding fellowships to several graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. We, as a research Insti-

For more information on AHA and it efforts, please visit:

tution, realize that this contribution will

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/

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HAPPENINGS Mohammed Irfan Ali sends us an update from Grenada where he is attending the medical school at St. George’s University School of Medicine.

After his thesis defense he was a postdoctoral fellow here at GHSU with Dr. Sean Didion prior to beginning medical school. Also, a former graduate student from the Cell Biology and Anatomy Department Jae Kim is in his medical class as well.

SGA Leadership Banquet The Student Government Association Leadership Banquet was held on March 23, 2011 and many of the graduate students involved in the GSO executive board were in attendance. The Graduate Student Organization was awarded the GHSU Student Organization of the Year Award in the category of Campus Contibutor. This award is a great honor for our organization and is dedicated to all those who have been a part of the tremendous efforts that GSO has been involved in. In addition, this banquet served to recognize outstanding student leaders and both Samuel Herberg and Colleen Carey were the selected recipients of the Student Services and Development Student Leader Achievement Award. On behalf of the entire graduate student body the GSO News congratulates you both!

The GSO News

David Fessler recently attended the annual meeting of the Southern Neurosurgical Society which was held at the Grand Floridian Resort in Orlando, Fl. Here he presented a poster entitled “Activation of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) Contributes to Functional Loss after Spinal Cord Injury “ which was awarded the Basic Science Award.

Samuel Herberg attended the International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles, CA this past February where he presented a poster entitled “Rapamycin Enhances Autophagic Mediated Protection in a Permanent Middle Cerebral Artery Ligation Stroke Model”. He also will be attending the International Society for Stem Cell Research, 9th Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada this upcoming June to present the poster titled “Transgenic Adult Murine Mesenchymal Stem Cells Conditionally Overexpressing SDF-1β Enhance New Bone Formation in Both In Vitro and In Vivo Model Systems”.

David (left) pictured with his award alongside his father who was the William Henry Hudson Lecturer at this meeting

Paramita Pati attended this year’s Experimental Biology Conference held in Washington, DC where she presented the poster entitled, “The hypertensive response to L-NAME and Angiotensin II in ciradian clock mutant mice”.

...to “Happenings”, pg. 10

Samuel Herberg and Colleen Carey with Drs. Kevin Frazier and Patricia Cameron

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Spring Camping Trip & Family Day Save the Date!

June 10th– 12th 2011 Come enjoy a weekend of campfires, the lake and good friends essentially in Augusta’s backyard!

Not a Camper?

Come join us for a BBQ on Saturday afternoon & Bring Watch your email for more information to come

the kids!

Location: Hamilton Branch State Park 111 Campground Rd. Plum Branch, SC 29845 (Less than 1/2 hour from downtown) The GSO News

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G R A D U A TE R E SE A R C H D A Y A W A R D W INN E R S Graduate Faculty Assembly Award for Excellence in Research by a Graduate Student: Kirti Bhatt Amber Cyran Howard Betty Ishoy Melissa Laird Alfred Pennisi Christina Wilson

R. August Roesel Memorial Award Research Excellence in Biochemistry Ashish Gurav

Award for Excellence in Research – Biostatistics Nafisa Wadud

Award for Excellence in Research – Cell Biology & Anatomy Suchreet Takhar

UGA Clinical & Experimental Therapeutics Award Mohammed Abdelsaid

Virendra B. Mahesh Award Research Excellence in Endocrinology Wararat Kittikulsuth

Medical Illustration Educational Multimedia Award Helena S. Martin

Award for Excellence in Research – Molecular Medicine Wonkyoung Cho

Award for Excellence in Research – Neuroscience Kou Qin

Award for Excellence in Research – Nursing Jennifer Wilbeck

Award for Excellence in Research – Oral Biology Brent Wenzel

Lowell M. Greenbaum Award in recognition of Research Excellence in Pharmacology Scott Webster

Award for Excellence in Research – Physiology Aisha Cobbs

Award for Excellence in Public Health Research Matthew Giddens

Award for Excellence in Research – Vascular Biology Deepesh Pandey

Ji Cheng Memorial Award for Excellence in Research by a biomedical sciences student in the early years of training: Folami Lamoke

Fisher Scientific Award for Excellence in Biomedical Research: Samuel Herberg

The GSO News

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...from “Happenings”, pg. 8 Margaret Zimmerman was among the many graduate students who attended this year’s Experimental Biology seminar in Washington DC. She not only presented a poster but also gave an oral presentation, both of which were titled “Sex differences to AT1 receptor control of blood pressure unveiled following chronic angiotensin (ANG) II infusion in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)”. Margaret was selected as a finalist for the 2011 Water and Electrolyte Homeostasis Section Pre-doctoral Research Recognition Award along with two other finalists.

All finalists presented their work in a 7 minute oral presentation for a chance to receive an additional $500 award.

Crista Royal also attended the 2011 Experimental Biology conference at which she won the ASPET iSTCP Experimental Biology Best Abstract Award for her presentation entitled “Parnutrition Alters Estrogen Signaling in Microvascular Arteries: Impaired nNos”. Crista has also been busy with a recent first author publication: Royal CR, Ma H, Walker R, White RE. Estrogen signaling in microvascular arteries: parturition reduces vasodilation by reducing

17-beta-estradiol and nNOS. Steroids, 2011.

Namita Hattangady recently attended the Congress of Steroid Research conference where she presented a poster titled “Aldosterone Production and Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) expression are blocked by

steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1)”. She was awarded the NIH-Young Investigator Award this year for the same conference which was a $1000 travel grant.

Rui Wang attended the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 102nd annual meeting in Orlando and presented the following poster, “A potential role of PKG2 in intestinal homeostasis”. O Dr. Kevin Frazier, Samuel Herberg, Dr. Gretchen Caughman, and Mr. Dale Hartenburg

Contact Information

Newsletter Staff

Website

Chief Editor

http://www.georgiahealth.edu/gradstudies/students.html

Colleen Carey

Facebook Group

Address

Editors

Students of GHSU GSO

Graduate Student Organization College of Graduate Studies Georgia Health Sciences University 1120 15th St. CJ 2201 Augusta, GA 30912-1500

Namita Hattangady Paramita Pati

Email GSO@georgiahealth.edu

The GSO News

Samuel Herberg Carly Trowbridge

Layout Design Joshua Bird

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