Summer Assistantship Faculty Sponsor List Summer 2016 Below is a list of Brown faculty who have expressed an interest in working with medical students this summer. We urge you to contact them early in your application process to discuss potential collaborations. Please note that that you are not limited to faculty on this list – you may identify other faculty mentors independently. Faculty were asked if they would be able to provide funding for student work outside of the Summer Assistantship process. Their answers are included below. Barbara S. Stonestreet, MD Professor, Department of Pediatrics 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI (401) 274-1122, x 47429 bstonestreet@wihri.org (1). Neuroprotective strategies in neonatal brain injury. Brief Description: Hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is the leading cause of neurodevelopmental morbidities in preterm and full term infants. The only therapeutic strategy to treat HI encephalopathy (HIE) is hypothermia for full term infants, which is only partially protective, and treatment does not exist for HI exposed preterm infants except for supportive care. Based upon the Stroke Therapy Academic Industry Roundtable (STAIR) criteria, sufficient dose-response and therapeutic time windows, adequate histological and behavioral outcomes, and understanding mechanism(s) of action for neuroprotectants are necessary for preclinical drug development to facilitate translation of neuroprotective strategies from animals to humans. The basis of this proposal is the identification of novel immunomodulatory proteins, Inter-alpha Inhibitor Proteins (IAIPs) that are currently in development as effective therapeutic agents in systemic inflammation/shock syndromes. Results should yield novel preclinical information to accelerate IAIPs use as neuroprotective agents to treat HI-related brain injury in human premature and full term infants. (2). Neuroprotective strategies in the fetus and neonate. Brief Description: Students can be involved in work with rodents that includes surgery, behavioral studies, and histopathological evaluation of important anti-inflammatory neuroprotective studies in neonatal hypoxic ischemic rats. Other exciting work includes translational studies in fetal sheep again to develop therapies to protect the premature brain from injury. Qualifications: some biology and neuroscience background Funding: None Eli Y. Adashi, MD, MS, CPE, FACOG Professor of Medical Science eli_adashi Multiple health policy projects. No funding available. Sun Ho Ahn, MD, FSIR Assistant Professor of Radiology Alpert Medical School of Brown University Director IR Fellowship Associate Editor MHRI sun_ho_ahn@brown.edu Mike (Mai) He, MD, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI (401) 274 – 1122 x 41310 mai_he@brown.edu; mhe@wihri.org Title: D-dimer Levels during Pregnancy Description: Pregnancy is associated with increased risk of deep-venous thrombosis. The natural course of D-dimer levels during and after pregnancy has not been well studied so there are no established normal reference ranges for the antepartum and postpartum periods. This is a prospective study using residual blood sample combined with chart review. Qualification/previous experience: None needed. Funding: Yes. Again, we may need two and able to fund two. Dr. James Padbury Department of Pediatrics 401 2741122,x147405 james_padbury@brown.edu Description: Preterm delivery and preeclampsia are the leading causes of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. We are employing a Pathway Analysis based approach whereby we are curating the medical literature, public databases and archives of expression and genetic data for genes with demonstrated relationship to preterm labor and preeclampsia. We have built a robust, web-based, semantic data mining tool to curate published literature on preterm birth and preeclampsia. The curators review each article, identify the genes clearly associated with preterm delivery or preeclampsia, assign the correct Human Genome Database unique gene ID number for each relevant gene in the article, review the citations in the article for additional publications that may not have been captured in the database query, provide annotations on the individual articles and, lastly, extract SNPs in the genomic region and SNPs in the 10 kb of sequence in the upstream 5’ region of the gene and 5 kb of sequence downstream of the genomic region using the UCSC genome browser and dbSNP. This is a robust educational experience. Bioinformatics is an important new discipline that is allowing researchers interested in clinical and translational projects to manipulate large data sets and large amounts of information. This is a very contemporary approach and an invaluable skill set. This will further be valuable as a scientific experience with extensive exposure to genetics, cell and molecular biology. Students develop substantial expertise in genetics, genomics, understanding of gene structure, understanding the sources of genetic variation between individuals and participation in the publication process. Joseph Bliss, MD, PhD Associate Professor of Pediatrics 101 Dudley St., Providence, RI (401) 274-1122 x 47484 jbliss@wihri.org Title: Effect of Dietary Medium Chain Triglyceride Intake on Colonization of Preterm Infants with Candida Description: A pilot clinical trial in which premature infants who are colonized with the yeast, Candida, are randomly assigned to receive a nutritional supplement to determine whether it reduces their colonization. Candida can cause serious invasive infections in premature infants who are colonized. Qualifications: Prior experience with human subject research and/or clinical trials is a plus, but not required. Funding: None available. Wael Asaad MD, PhD Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience wael_asaad@brown.edu Project Title: Human Neuromodulation Research Project Description: Our lab studies human subjects in the setting of neuromodulation to better understand the basic manifestations and mechanisms of neurological diseases as well as normal brain function, and to understand the mechanisms of neuromodulation (deep brain stimulation) and devise ways to improve upon it. Qualifications: Strong interest in neuroscience; coding in Matlab or Python a plus (for data analysis and experimental task design). Funding: Students in our lab would be eligible to apply for a Doris Duke Fellowship for an entire year, but we currently have no mechanism just for summer funding. Jun Feng, MD, PhD Assistant Professor of Surgery Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Lab. 1 Hoppin Street, Providence RI 02903 (401) 793-8065 jfeng@lifespan.org Title: Diabetic Regulation of SK/IK Channels and Endothelial Function Description: My current research interests focus on the role of potassium channels in coronary microcirculation and endothelial function in both animals and humans. My current project is focusing on the effects of diabetic regulation of calcium-activated potassium channels and human coronary endothelial function. My strong background in cardiovascular physiology, pharmacology, microvascular physiology, cell biology and bio-informatics combined with my specific training and expertise make me well suited for the key research areas for this application. Qualification: Medical Students with or without Lab experiences Funding: None. Jerrold Rosenberg, MD Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics jerrold_rosenberg@brown.edu Description: Our project would be measuring functional improvement in patients undergoing rehabilitation. Qualifications: No specific qualifications. A student interested in PM&R would be preferred but not required. Funding: None. Phyllis A. Dennery, M.D. Sylvia Kay Hassenfeld Professor of Pediatrics Chair, Department of Pediatrics Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University Pediatrician-in-Chief, Rhode Island Hospital Medical Director, Hasbro Children’s Hospital 593 Eddy Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903 401-444-5648 - phone 401-444-6378 - fax David Egilman MD, MPH President GHETS Clinical Professor of Family Medicine Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University 8 North Main Street Attleboro, Massachusetts 02703 Cell 508-472-2809 Office 508-225–5091 Ext 11 degilman@egilman.com Project description: This person will be responsible for providing critical support in family medicine program development in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. They will provide logistical and programmatic support to our partners at various medical institutions for a variety of projects including curricula development projects, faculty exchange and training projects, as well as projects seeking to improve primary care. It is a great opportunity for a student seeking hands on experience in global health. Qualifications: An ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills, and be extremely organized and detail-orientated. The ideal candidate will also possess prior experiences in cross-cultural settings, field experience in a developing country, foreign language skills, and a background or demonstrated interest in public health, development, media, or social justice. Funding: None available. Beatrice E. Lechner, MD Neonatologist, Department of Pediatrics Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI 02905 Assistant Professor of Pediatrics The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University | 401-274-1122, ext. 47438 2 possible projects: 1. Defining the role of proteoglycans in preterm birth. In this project, a cell culture scratch test model will be used to assess the role of various proteoglycans in the maintenance of intact fetal membranes throughout pregnancy, including rescuing the phenotype. Some experience in basic research methods, ideally cell culture, is helpful. 2. A survey based analysis of the communication gap between healthcare providers and parents of sick newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit. In this study, a survey will be developed and administered to healthcare providers as well as parents. Some experience in qualitative research methods is helpful. Funding: none available Lindsay M. Orchowski, Ph.D. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Alpert Medical School of Brown University Staff Psychologist, Rhode Island Hospital 146 West River Street, Suite 11B, Providence RI 02904 Lindsay_Orchowski@brown.edu (p) 401-444-7021; (f): 401-444-7109 Description: Dr. Orchowski serves as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for the Medical School, and is the PI of 2 CDC funded evaluations of sexual assault programming for middle and high school students, and the PI of a Department of Defense funded evaluation of sexual assault prevention for men in the military. Medical students would have the opportunity to contribute to study tasks on one of the projects of their choosing, may opt to work with Dr. Orchowski on developing a publication relating to sexual violence from existing project data, or develop a review of the literature addressing violence prevention. Qualifications: No prior research experience is necessary. Individuals who are motivated to learn about sexual violence prevention and evaluation research would be a good fit for our research team. Funding: None available. Mark J. Fagan MD Department of Medicine 593 Eddy St. Providence, RI 02903 401-444-8472 mfagan@lifespan.org Title: Using Morbidity and Mortality Conference to Teach Third year Medical Students about Patient Safety and Diagnostic Error Brief Description: The purpose of this project is to design, implement, and evaluate a tool for students to use when attending Morbidity and Mortality conference during the internal medicine clerkship. The tool would prompt students to identify and classify patient safety issues that occurred in the case and propose remedies to address the identified safety issues. The student’s role would be to conduct a literature review, design and pilot test the tool, submit the project for IRB approval, and create a plan for implementation and evaluation of the tool in the internal medicine clerkship. Qualifications: Ideally, the student would have some experience with survey design and the IRB submission process. Funding: None available. Roland C. Merchant, MD, MPH, ScD Associate Professor Emergency Medicine and Epidemiology Alpert Medical School of Brown University Rhode Island Hospital (O): (401) 444-5109 (F): (401) 444-4307 Researchers from the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Psychiatry and Human Behavior are seeking a highly motivated medical student for an interesting study on an emergency medicine-based intervention to decrease risk of sexually transmitted infections. The research involves direct contact with adult emergency department patients at Rhode Island Hospital during summer 2016. The medical student chosen for the study will recruit adult emergency department patients to watch a video about sexually transmitted infections and complete a survey. The study particularly aims to recruit racial/ethnic minority patients into the study. The intent of the study is to determine the efficacy of this type of intervention in the emergency medicine setting. The ideal candidate for the position will be someone who can work independently, is comfortable with approaching patients and recruiting them to the study, is interested in the topic under study, and has an interest in racial/ethnic minority health promotion. Elizabeth Goldberg, MD 593 Eddy Street Claverick 209 Providence, RI 02903 401-444-7975 egoldberg1@lifespan.org Title: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Physician Quality Measures and Hypertension Screening of At Risk Individuals in the Emergency Department Qualifications: Applicants should be interested in health services research or cardiovascular risk prevention strategies. Competency in excel and statistical data analysis is preferred, but not necessary. Attention to detail and excellent communication skills will be important. The RA will assist the PI with analyzing CDC data on elevated blood pressure visits in the ED setting and will help design tables that show change over time of hypertension by age, gender, and other demographic variables. Description: The principal investigator will meet weekly to discuss study progress, concerns, and address research questions. The student is welcome to shadow the PI during adult emergency medicine shifts and will have the opportunity to assist with recruiting adult emergency department patients in another ongoing hypertension study. Students will receive career mentorship about physician scientist and academic faculty tracks. Funding: None available. Mary M. Flynn, PhD, RD, LDN Biomed – Brown University Department of Medicine, The Miriam Hospital 164 Summit Ave Providence, RI 02906 401.793.4707 Mary_Flynn@brown.edu Title: Food is Medicine Description: The student(s) would be involved in the Food is Medicine program I have started at Lifespan Community Health Institute. The program involves delivering a 6-week cooking program of plant-based, olive oil recipes to low-income patients. There will be at least 2 cooking programs underway the summer of 2016. One involves patients from clinics at RIH and TMH who have type 2 diabetes. The other cooking program will involve overweight/ obese 10-15 year olds that are referred from the Pediatric Endocrinology clinics at Hasbro. The student(s) will be involved in data entry and basic statistical analysis for both programs, under my guidance (mentor). Desired previous experience: some work with low-income populations would be preferred; work experience that involved working with people; basic cooking skills Academic qualifications: completion of a at least one college level nutrition course preferred; completion of CITI training or willingness to do so for anyone taking this assistantship. Funding: None available. Neha P. Raukar, MD, MS FACEP CAQ Primary Care Sports Medicine Assistant Professor Director, Division of Sports Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine Consulting Physician, Brown University Athletics Warren Alpert School of Medicine nraukar@lifespan.org Title: Does awareness lead to change? Description: Regarding mentoring, the team (including the student), will meet weekly. These meeting will focus on feedback and guidance on research activities (which include patient recruitment, consent, and administration of the intervention; patient follow ups; basic data analysis; literature reviews and abstract and manuscript development) and discussion about career interests and plans; weekly progress reports; focused readings on the topic. The SRA student will be mentored in the interpretation of clinical data, and the pursuit of research questions with important, practical clinical and public health implications. The SRA student will benefit from weekly journal clubs presented by SRA program PIs which furnish insights to communication and interoperation of research findings in clinical and scientific communities. Students will have the opportunity to gain clinical perspective by electing to observe clinical Emergency Medicine and spending time alongside residents/attendings at a level I trauma center. Qualifications: Write well; Have some background in research; Are goal oriented and can get tasks done; Are organized; Have outstanding attention to detail and ability to multi-task; Self-motivated; Have strong interpersonal skills and can quickly develop rapport; Have familiarity with citation software (e.g., EndNote) Funding: None available. Elizabeth Lowenhaupt Departments of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry) and Pediatrics (Division of Adolescent Medicine) elowenhaupt@lifespan.org, 401-444-3743 RIH, 593 Eddy Street, POB-122, Providence 02903. Title: Rhode Island Training School - Juvenile Correctional Treatment Services. Description: A student working with me would identify a specific project relating to either medical or psychiatric treatment of adolescent currently incarcerated at the Rhode Island Training School (RITS). The experience would include the development of a new program or service at the Training School, analysis of available data relating to medical and psychiatric factors of incarcerated youth in RI, and/or clinical observation in the medical and psychiatric clinic as well as some individual and group therapy interventions at the RITS. The student should talk with me prior to applying for summer funding so that we could identify a more specific interest and topic for the project. Funding: none available; although students could apply to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry for possible additional funding. Ghada Bourjeily, MD Biomed Medicine The Miriam Hospital 146 West River Street, Suite 1F (Research suite) Providence, RI 02904 Description: Our Lab investigates sleep disordered breathing in special populations, with a focus on cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes of sleep disordered breathing. We study pregnant women with obesity and patients with end stage renal disease. Qualifications: We would like to have a student who speaks Spanish if possible as we are trying to focus on some minority populations. Funding: We are unfortunately unable to provide funding for a student. Name: Chiung-Kuei Huang, Medicine 55 Claverick St. Providence, 401-444-7378 Title: miR-34a in alcoholic liver disease Brief description: miR-34a has been found highly elevated in human alcoholic liver disease. Although miR-34a has been shown to promote cellular apoptosis in cancers, it remains unclear if miR-34a promotes hepatocye apoptosis to induce alcoholic liver disease. The project will focus on investigating the effect of miR-34a on hepatocytes. Qualifications: Student should have molecular biology background. Funding: none available. Eunyoung Cho Department of Dermatology 339 Eddy St 401-863-5895 eunyoung_cho@brown.edu Study topic: Epidemiologic studies of dietary factors and chronic disease. Qualifications: none necessary. Funding: none available. Qing Lu, DVM. Ph.D. Associate Professor of Medicine Alpert Medical School of Brown University Providence VA Medical Center 830 Chalkstone Ave, Providence, RI Tel: 401-273-7100 extension: 3865 Email: Qing_Lu@Brown.edu Title: Mitochondrial fission and cigarette smoke-induced lung endothelial cell injury Brief description: The overall objective of my research is to address the mechanisms of cigarette smoke priming for development of acute lung injury using in vivo and in vitro approaches. Using both cell cultures and a mouse model, this summer research project will investigate the role of increased mitochondrial fission (division) in cigarette smoke-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress and cellular injury of lung endothelial cells. Qualifications: none necessary Funding: I will provide funding to support supplies and animal tissue. Bradley Hospital Adolescent Program Summer Medical Student Elective Supervisors: Jeffrey Hunt, MD, Alysha Thompson, PhD, Elizabeth Frazier, PhD, Jennifer Wolff, PhD Minimum 8-10 weeks - 8 AM -4PM M-F Stipend: $3500.00 Scholarly project expected - Poster presentation at annual meeting of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in New York, NY October 24-30 Contact info: Jeffrey_hunt@brown.edu or 401-432-1173 (Missy Tatum) Description: This elective provides experience and training for the interested first or second medical student on acute care child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) programs. The student will learn about and help to implement empirically-supported assessments and treatments of severe mood, psychotic and anxiety disorders in inpatient, partial hospital, and intensive outpatient settings. The multidisciplinary team is comprised of child and adolescent psychiatry attending and residents, staff psychologists and psychology residents, as well as social workers, nurses, and milieu staff. On the adolescent inpatient unit (AIU), trainees will have opportunities to assess adolescents with depressive symptoms who present with a range of co-occurring issues (including suicidality, non-suicidal selfinjury, substance use, and behavior problems). Students will be trained to for conduct an initial structured diagnostic assessments and will become an integral part of the treatment team. The initial assessment that is completed is then used to develop a case conceptualization and that informs the selection of specific Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skills to deliver in short-term treatment on the AIU. Students will be assigned several cases over the summer to work with under close supervision of faculty. Students will also help lead skills groups on the unit based in CBT and Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills. Students will be able to work with 3-4 patients per day that are seen 3 times per week during their 1-2 week stay on the AIU. Participating in family meetings with supervisors will also be possible periodically. Students will attend morning rounds and case conferences. Students will receive individual supervision by the medical director of the program as well as staff psychologists. The student will also be invited to participate in group supervision and didactics led by staff psychologists which include psychology and psychiatry residents. Supervision includes didactics, live supervision, discussion of empirical articles, and treatment planning. Hospital orientation at Bradley with SafetyCare course will be required. Courtney Clark Bilodeau, MD Department of Internal Medicine Division of Obstetric Medicine Women’s Medicine Collaborative 146 West River St Providence, RI 02904 401- 787-2393 (cell) courtney_bilodeau@brown.edu Title: Education in Breastfeeding: How prepared are medical students and residents to counsel their patients? Description: The goal of this project is to survey medical students and resident physicians (from family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, and pediatrics) on their training and preparation to counsel patients regarding breastfeeding. The student will get CITI certification, attend research meetings and receive training on aspects of clinical research including survey design and data analysis. The student will also help in creating multidisciplinary educational opportunities for trainees to strengthen their knowledge and skills in supporting and assisting women in achieving their breastfeeding goals. Qualifications: A qualified student should be interested in women’s medicine and medical education. Funding: None available. Dr. Rebecca Reece, Dr. Fredric Silverblatt, Dr. Timothy Flanigan Internal Medicine; Infectious Diseases Dr. Reece: rebecca_reece@brown.edu; (401) 444 - 8450 Dr. Silverblatt: fredric_silverblatt@brown.edu; (401) 457 -3045; (401) 885 - 4901 Dr. Flanigan: timothy_flanigan@brown.edu; (401) 793 - 7152 Description: This team is interested in looking at a new Borellia and testing strategy down at South County Hospital, which is epidemic for tick borne diseases. This project will have clinical exposure and the opportunity to see patients with providers. It has the high likelihood of interesting and exciting data. Funding: None. Dr. Philip Chan Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases (401) 793 – 2928 philip_chan@brown.edu Description: Dr. Chan is interested in the burden of STDs in Rhode Island and the intersection of STDs and syphilis and HIV and substance abuse. This project will have clinical exposure and the opportunity to see patients with providers. It has the high likelihood of interesting and exciting data. Funding: None. Dr. Aadia Rana Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases (401) 793 – 4680 aadia_rana@brown.edu Description: Dr. Rana is very interested in the impact of homelessness on HIV treatment and viral suppression. The database at the Miriam Hospital immunology center can be looked at for an exploratory analysis in this regard. This project will have clinical exposure and the opportunity to see patients with providers. It has the high likelihood of interesting and exciting data. Funding: None. Kristin Anderson, M.D., FAAP, FACP Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics (Clinical) Hasbro Children's Partial Hospital Program Medicine-Pediatrics Primary Care Center Kanderson5@lifespan.org Project description: F.I.T. Club promotes health and wellness for children of all ages using literacy and collaborative approaches in schools, afterschool programs, and in the home. Children explore food sourcing and production, cooking, sustainability, nutrition, and disease through clubs centered on these three themes: Young Farmers Club, Young Chefs Club and Young Doctors Club. Using a three-pronged approach, F.I.T. Club resources include: 1. Day-to-day core instruction in the classroom 2. Afterschool Sessions 3. Family booklists F.I.T. Club lesson plans incorporate health and wellness themes, within the context of understanding sustainability as it relates to food sourcing and production. F.I.T. Club’s focus on literacy to teach concepts of nutrition and physical health connects children with high quality fiction and nonfiction books. Lesson plans utilize common standards, incorporate the ELA, math, science, and social studies, and can be taught during or after school. F.I.T. Family serves as a literacy resource for parents and children to read together, using books that model healthy habits. Funding: none available Katherine M. Sharkey, MD, PhD, FAASM Assistant Professor Alpert Medical School of Brown University Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry & Human Behavior katherine_sharkey@brown.edu *Research:* Sleep for Science Research Laboratory 300 Duncan Drive Providence, RI 02906 tel: 401-421-9440 *Clinical*: University Medicine Foundation 1 James P Murphy Highway West Warwick, RI 02893 tel: 401-615-5878 Title: Perinatal Sleep and Mood Description: We are running an NIH funded clinical trial of a sleep and circadian rhythm intervention to improve sleep and mood in pregnant women with depression or anxiety. The student would participate in participant visits and data scoring and analysis. There are several projects that could emanate from this data set. Qualifications: Previous experience in sleep research or women's health would be ideal. Funding: funding through the lab may be available but student should still apply for SA funding.