This newly created position will provide oversight to the Graduate Medical Education Program for residents and fellows, as well as provide oversight to the various medical and graduate student educational programs at Karmanos and the Wayne State University School of Medicine. This ensures that the clinical and scientific activities of the Karmanos Cancer Center are enhanced by ongoing medical education opportunities.

Dr. Wozniak has extensive experience in educational programming, having served as the leader of Karmanos’ Medical Oncology Fellowship Program for many years. She is also president of Karmanos’ Medical Staff.

Due to her new position, Dr. Wozniak will step down as leader of the Thoracic Multidisciplinary Team.

Replacing Dr. Wozniak as the Thoracic Team leader is Shirish Gadgeel, M.D., associate professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology for the School of Medicine

Dr. Gadgeel completed his residency at Wayne State University in 1996 and was named the outstanding fellow in the division of Hematology and Oncology in 1997.

Cassann Blake, M.D., M.P.H., was named team leader of the Breast Multidisciplinary Team, and Zeina Nahleh, M.D., was named co-leader.

An assistant professor of Surgery at the School of Medicine, Dr. Blake joined Karmanos in 2002 and is co-director of the Walt Comprehensive Breast Center.

Dr. Nahleh, an assistant professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the School of Medicine, joined the Karmanos Cancer Center in 2007. She is active in clinical research and teaching.

All are members of the Wayne State University Physician Group.

Linda D. Hazlett, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor and Chair of Anatomy and Cell Biology for the Wayne Sate University School of Medicine, has been named a 2009 Gold Fellow by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

The prestigious award is presented by the world’s largest vision research organization to colleagues who have contributed high-impact research in the field of vision science and eye care.

“I am very pleased to have been named a Gold Fellow,” said Dr. Hazlett, who has chaired a number of ARVO committees.

“Contact lens wear is a significant contributor to infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other pathogens, which can ultimately lead to blindness,” Dr. Hazlett said of her research. “In the United States alone, there are 25,000 to 30,000 cases of microbial keratitis annually with a cost medically of $15 million to $30 million. With this health issue as our focus, we developed excellent animal models that lend themselves to studies of immunopathogenesis whose goal is eventual development of alternate therapeutics to decrease the sequelae of this disease.”

Dr. Hazlett serves as a member of a founding committee for the newly established Women in Eye and Vision Research, a group established by ARVO to promote women in science. The organization’s goals include developing and strengthening the career path of women in eye and vision research by addressing methods to enhance diversity, encouraging involvement from women new to eye research, and identifying opportunities for leadership and skill development.

“The recognition of Dr. Hazlett’s contributions to vision research is well deserved,” said Robert M. Mentzer Jr., M.D., dean of the School of Medicine and senior advisor to the president for medical affairs. “Her devotion to research that will ease the suffering of tens of thousands of people is characteristic of the dedication of the scientists at the School of Medicine.”

Ms. Novak, 46, who served the past year as MSMS acting executive director, succeeds Kevin A. Kelly, who died in December 2008 after a year-long illness. Mr. Kelly served 29 years at MSMS, including the past three years as executive director.

"Julie Novak was unanimously selected by the board from a field of excellent local and national candidates. The board has complete confidence that she will continue the tradition of excellence in leadership that our organization has enjoyed for many, many years," said Gregory J. Forzley, M.D., chairman of the MSMS Board.

The MSMS represents more than 16,000 physicians in all specialties across Michigan.

Ms. Novak joined the society in 1990 and has served in a variety of positions relating to health care delivery and medical economics. Since 2007, she served as director of Operations.

She holds a master’s degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan and a bachelor's degree in International Relations from Michigan State University.

"Julie Novak has more than two decades of experience in health care policy issues that will serve our organization well," said MSMS President Michael A. Sandler, M.D., a 1971 graduate of the Wayne State University School of Medicine. “She knows the issues facing physicians and their patients, and has the leadership skills necessary to address those challenges effectively."

In 2007, Ms. Novak received an MSMS Presidential Citation for her outstanding staff support of the MSMS Future of Medicine initiative that involved all stakeholders in Michigan's health care delivery system and developed the four principles of quality, wellness, value and universal coverage that any reforms should include.

She serves on the Michigan Health Policy Forum Board of Directors, the Michigan Health Council Board of Directors, the Michigan Health & Safety Coalition Steering Committee, the MSMS Foundation Board of Directors, the American Physicians Michigan Advisory Board, the Medical Advantage Group Board of Directors, the Professional Credential Verification Service Board of Directors and the local American Red Cross Blood Services Board of Directors. She is a member of the American Association of Medical Society Executives, the Michigan Society of Association Executives and the American Society of Association Executives.

Dr. Chinni will use the $564,302 Idea Development Award to study the biologic implications of a common chromosomal translocation in prostate cancer tissue. He suspects the translocation, in conjunction with androgens, drives the expression of certain receptors and growth factors that enhance the aggressiveness and metastatic capacity of prostate cancer cells, particularly as they metastasize to bone.

In the majority of prostate cancer cases, Dr. Chinni explained, the cancer moves to bone long before its growth becomes apparent in soft tissue. The spread to bone can be attributed to “homing” of cancer cells or increased growth of prostate cancer cells after they reach the bone. Chemokine molecules may play an earlier role in the migration of the cancer by attracting prostate cancer cells. The process, Dr. Chinni said, may additionally direct cancer cells in the marrow toward cells lining the bone cavity, providing a catalyst for the “vicious cycle” of metastasis.

Cancer cells overexpress a chemokine receptor called CXCR4. Several groups of investigators, including Dr. Chinni’s, have demonstrated that prostate cancer cells overexpress CXCR4, contributing to the disease progression. Dr. Chinni hopes to determine how prostate cancer cells overexpress the receptor. Once that factor is determined, research on blocking the receptor – and the spread of cancer cells – can move forward.

In patients with prostate cancer, testosterone causes overproduction of a cancer-causing transcription factor called ERG. That overexpression promotes cancer progression. Dr. Chinni recently discovered that ERG causes enhanced production of the CXCR4 gene in cancer cells. His laboratory models found that testosterone can over-produce CXCR4 in cancer cells. The cancer-causing gene facilitates the spread of cancer cells. His research seeks to determine the role of ERG translocations that contribute to the spread of cancer cells to secondary sites.

“When these questions are answered it will have a high impact on the prostate cancer patients who exhibit these frequent chromosomal translocations in terms of devising strategies to target CXCR4,” Dr. Chinni said. “Successful completion of this line of research will lead to development of strategies in targeting CXCR4 for patients prone to develop metastatic disease.”

Another area of Dr. Chinni’s research is to understand the mechanisms related to growth of cancer cells at bone sites. He recently published work indicating that CXCR4 in tumor cells activates members of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). That activation fuels the growth of tumor cells at bone metastatic sites.

“We plan to identify the mechanism of the activation and subsequent function of this activation related to growth of tumor cells in bone tissue using bone metastasis model systems,” Dr. Chinni said. “We are also proposing to determine the efficacy of inhibiting CXCR4 with a novel compound (Gefitinib) that was known to inhibit CXCR4 function in tumor cells.”

Since Gefitinib is already in clinical use, Dr. Chinni said, successful completion of the research presents a “huge advantage” in its utilization as an inhibitor for patients with bone metastasis.

“The important explorations that Dr. Chinni and his colleagues are engaged in could lead to treatments to stop the invasive spread of prostate cancer,” said Robert M. Mentzer Jr., dean of the School of Medicine and senior advisor to the president on medical affairs. “This is the type of research performed at the School of Medicine that offers real hope for patients.”

John Malone, M.D., professor in the Wayne State University School of Medicine and Karmanos Cancer Institute’s Division of Gynecological Oncology, died Jan. 25. He was 57.

"Dr. Malone was a respected administrator, but his greatest sense of accomplishment came from caring for patients with gynecologic cancers," said Robert M. Mentzer Jr., M.D., dean of the School of Medicine and senior advisor to the president for medical affairs. "He inspired hope while honestly admitting that the fight for survival could be arduous. He felt that patients were family – he was involved with their lives and understood their goals and their fears. He also appreciated the value of levity, using laughter to assist patients facing great tribulation."

A native of Detroit, Dr. Malone graduated from University of Detroit High School and then graduated magna cum laude from John Carroll University in Ohio. He received his medical degree from Wayne State University in 1977 and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University. Upon completing his residency, he joined the full-time faculty at the School of Medicine and began a successful academic medical career.

Dr. Malone took a leave of absence to pursue sub-specialty training in Gynecologic Oncology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and then returned to the School of Medicine. He served as chairman of the department from 2001 to 2007.

“John was a dedicated clinician, teacher and administrator at the Wayne State University School of Medicine,” said Robert Frank, M.D., executive vice dean for the School of Medicine. “He participated in all aspects of medical education. He was associate dean for graduate medical education for many years and was a strong supporter of Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center residency programs.”

During Dr. Malone's tenure as Chair and under his leadership, the department became home to the Perinatology Research Branch of the National Institutes of Health, which is ranked in the top two nationally in terms of research expenditures.

“John had a wonderful sense of humor and an immense sense of the history and background of Wayne State University, the Detroit Medical Center and Karmanos,” said John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D., associate dean of Cancer Affairs for the School of Medicine, and president and chief executive officer of the Karmanos Cancer Institute. “He always championed finding rational ways to improve research and patient care. He built a great department.”

Colleagues said Dr. Malone served his community and the medical profession expertly and compassionately.

He received numerous awards for his leadership and teaching in obstetrics and gynecology. He was voted one of the Best Doctors in America many times and was active in a numerous organizations, including the Southwest Oncology Group, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Medicine was a family legacy for Dr. Malone. His father, John M. Malone Sr., M.D., a well-respected obstetrician-gynecologist, instilled in him a strong interest in women's health.

Dr. Malone is survived by his father, John Malone Sr.; his former wife, Mary; sons John III and Austin; four brothers; and three sisters.

Viewing is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday and 1 p.m. Wednesday at Verheyden Funeral Home, 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Ambrose Church, Grosse Pointe Park. Burial will be Friday at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dr. Malone's name can be made to the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center, 4100 John R, Mailcode NC06DS, Detroit, MI 48201; or the University of Detroit Jesuit High School Scholarship Fund, 8400 S. Cambridge Ave., Detroit, MI 48221.

Jun Li, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of the Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Department of Neurology, has secured a grant to help him explore a better understanding of pathogenic mechanisms that could lead to improved treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The three-year grant from the Muscular Dystrophy Association will allow Dr. Li to study a gene mutation and its treatment, which could lead to a greater understanding of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“With the collaboration with Dr. Miriam Meisler of the University of Michigan and Dr. Michael Shy of Wayne State University, we have identified an inherited disease that is caused by mutation in the Fig4 gene. This mutation results in severe neuronal degeneration,” Dr. Li said. “A recent publication finds that this gene is also a susceptible gene for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ALS is fatal. Thus far, there is no treatment. Our search could help us understand this disease, and hopefully yield certain therapeutic strategy.”

Dr. Meisler, Ph.D., is associate dean of Research and a professor of Human Genetics at the University of Michigan. Dr. Shy, M.D., is a professor of Neurology and member of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics at the WSU School of Medicine.

Recent research in Dr. Li’s laboratory shows impaired trafficking of intracellular organelles in the cells from patients with Fig4 mutations. The patients present rapidly progressive asymmetric weakness with many features also found in motor neuron diseases, including ALS. “This new grant will allow us to further explore these pathogenic mechanisms” Dr. Li said.

Frank MacMaster, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research assistant, was awarded nearly $60,000 for a Young Investigator Award from NARSAD, the world's largest donor-supported organization for mental health research, to investigate the neurobiology of familial depression -- depression that has some degree of heredity -- in adolescents. NARSAD was formerly known as the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression.

Working in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences in the Wayne State University School of Medicine, Dr. MacMaster is focusing on depression in adolescent daughters of depressed mothers, a group at particularly high risk for the disorder, with the goal of finding biological markers indicative of the disease.

“There’s no biological test currently for diagnosing psychiatric disorders. It’s all up to the skill of the clinician to diagnose a patient based on the behaviors he or she displays,” Dr. MacMaster said. “One of our big goals is to find enough biological markers to identify major depressive disorder and bi-polar disorder, eventually developing biological profiles for these diseases.”

The study also has the potential to advance the development of more effective medications for adolescents, for whom current serotonin-based medications, such as Prozac, yield mixed results.

MacMaster is beginning his research by focusing on the activity of the frontal-limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (FL-HPA) axis, or what he refers to as the “stress axis.” In stressful situations, the FL-HPA axis undergoes a sequence of reactions that result in the stress hormone cortisol being released into the body -- in what is known as the “fight or flight” reaction -- ending its trip by binding with receptors in the hippocampus. In people with depression, the cortisol releasers do not shut off when they should, and the feeling of stress persists.

One possible explanation for the defect could be there are fewer cortisol receptors in the hippocampus, a hypothesis based on a previous study that found smaller hippocampal volumes in children with familial depression.

“What this study proposes to do is to look at things like hippocampal volume and cortisol concentrations, and try to link them together to get an understanding of what’s going on with patients suffering from familial depression,” Dr. MacMaster said.

He is beginning his research by focusing on depressed adolescent girls whose mothers also suffer from depression, due to the group’s statistically high risk for the disorder -- more women suffer from depression than men, at a rate of 2 to 1. Additionally, children whose parents suffer from depression are two to three times more likely to become depressed. Evidence from previous studies suggests a strong genetic component for depression in adolescent girls with depressed mothers.

“One of the biggest obstacles for studying depression is that there are many things that can make you depressed,” he said. “So for this project, we’re using the most uniform group that’s out there; depressed daughters of depressed mothers.”

Though his current study is focused on the biological aspect of adolescent familial depression, Dr. MacMaster intends to incorporate environmental factors in future studies on the same group. “Environment and genetics are so intertwined in psychiatric disorders that you can’t have one without the other,” he said. “While environment can play a large role in and of itself, developing a biological profile for the disease is the vital first step from which we can advance our understanding of all the contributors of depression.”

Dr. MacMaster conducts his research in the laboratory of David Rosenberg, M.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience.

The annual awards are presented by the Ranbaxy Science Foundation, a non-profit organization established by Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited to encourage and honor Indian scientists working around the world in the endeavors of medical and pharmaceutical research.

Dr. Jena received the Ranbaxy Award in the field of basic research in medical sciences.

“The cell is the unit of life. The curiosity to understand even a small aspect of the fundamental workings of the cell structure-function at the molecular, and ultimately at the atomic level, has always been a dream,” Dr. Jena said. “The major driving force (in my work) is the joy in knowing how nature works, while awards are pleasant distractions, and importantly, recognition by one’s peers.”

The foundation honored Dr. Jena for his discovery of a new cellular structure -- the porosome -- as well as his elucidation of the general molecular mechanism underlying cell secretion and membrane fusion. “Professor Jena's discoveries have resulted in a paradigm shift in our understanding of the secretory process in cells, profoundly impacting human health and medicine," foundation representatives said.

The porosome, discovered by Dr. Jena 14 years ago, is the universal secretory machinery in cells. Secretion is a fundamental cellular process that occurs in all living organisms. Cell secretion is responsible for numerous activities, including neurotransmission, and the release of hormones and digestive enzymes. Secretory defects are responsible for a number of debilitating conditions, including growth defects, diabetes and neurological disorders. Dr. Jena’s discoveries have opened a gateway for the possible development of future treatments for such disorders at the very basic level of life.

“Dr. Jena is deserving not only of this latest award, but of the accolades of researchers around the world seeking potential cures for a gamut of disorders and illnesses,” said Robert M. Mentzer Jr., M.D., dean of the School of Medicine and senior advisor to the president for medical affairs. “His body of work continues to set the stage for any number of untold future treatments that researchers and doctors will use to address conditions that now elude our grasp. His work puts Dr. Jena in that special sphere of medical science pioneers, and places the School of Medicine firmly at the forefront of cutting-edge science that will lead to new cures.”

The award will be presented March 19 in New Delhi, India, during the foundation’s 15th annual symposium. Dr. Jena said he will attend the symposium to receive the award.

“We discovered the porosome almost 14 years ago,” Dr. Jena said. “In the interim, we have gained much understanding of its structure, dynamics, composition and function at the molecular level, and of cell secretion and membrane fusion in general.”

Dr. Jena seeks to expand his research and work in cross-disciplinary partnerships in his position as founder and director of the Wayne State University NanoBioScience Institute. The institute’s overall objective is to prepare U.S.-trained scientists who can assume the “next generation of leadership roles in the U.S. academic and industrial environment.”

Nano technologies, Dr. Jena explained, are powerful emerging fields that facilitate research and understanding of the smallest molecular structures. The understanding of how cells and biomolecules function will lead to the development of nanoscale devices that assist biological processes and assist in developing “smart drugs” and drug delivery systems. The merging of medical science and engineering science is crucial to the field.

The center has three primary objectives: research, collaboration and partnerships, and education and knowledge transfer. Dr. Jena and the center seek to train a “new breed” of researchers with a cross-disciplinary background. This new wave of scientists will have backgrounds in medicine, engineering, physics, biology, chemistry and mathematics.

A study by Avraham Raz, Ph.D., professor of pathology and radiation oncology, and collaborators Vitaly Balan, Ph.D., research associate and Pratima Nangia-Makker, Ph.D., assistant professor of ­­­­pathology in the School of Medicine and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, was published in the Dec. 15, 2008, edition of Cancer Research, a scientific journal supported by the American Association for Cancer Research Inc. In addition, an image from the study – the graph of allelic variations in Asian and Caucasian women superimposed over an image of galectin-3 expression in cancer patients – was featured on the cover of the issue.

The study provides evidence that an allelic variation in the galectin-3 gene may influence a woman’s risk for developing breast cancer and partially explain why Caucasian women have a higher occurrence of breast cancer than Asian women.

Despite a tremendous amount of variations in cancer incidence and mortality between races, Dr. Raz’s study is the first to identify a genetic contributor for those differences. “It is well-established that Asian women have a lower propensity for breast cancer than Caucasian women,” he said. “Up until this point, it has largely been attributed to differences in lifestyle, diet and local environment. Our study shows for the first time that in addition to these factors, inheritable genes such as galectin-3 also contribute to differences in breast cancer between races. This opens a new vista of research in the understanding of the disease.”

The association between galectin-3 gene and breast cancer was first discovered by Dr. Raz’s lab 20 years ago. It is widely expressed in various tumor cells and is also linked to metastasis, the spread of cancer from the primary tumor to other parts of the body.

For this study, his laboratory initially set out to determine whether variations in the galectin-3 genome influence a woman’s likelihood to develop breast cancer. They performed a genotype analysis of cancer patients and cancer-free women, categorizing them based on an allelic variation that leads to the expression of the amino acids histidine (H) or proline (P). It was then that a correlation between the H allele and cancer in Asian and Caucasian women became apparent.

“The H allele is far less frequent in Asian women than it is in Caucasian women, and this difference is similar to the distribution of breast cancer in Asian and Caucasian women,” Dr. Raz said. “This highlights the role of this gene in breast cancer incidence and development.”

Numerous attempts have been made to identify potential breast cancer risk alleles and genetic signatures with limited results. Although mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 were identified as genetic risk factors a decade ago, they account for only 5 percent of breast cancer cases.

Further studies that analyze larger groups of people and include more races need to be conducted to determine the extent to which galectin-3 influences a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. Once researchers have more information, they may be able to develop drugs that target high risk genes and prevent the onset of cancer. A long-term goal for identifying high risk genes for cancer is genome screening, wherein patients who are found to have breast cancer-associated genes will be followed more closely or more frequently, so that signs of cancer can be detected as early as possible.

“Dr. Raz’s brilliant research is leading us closer to discovering the genetic risk factors for developing breast cancer,” said Dr. Gloria Heppner, associate vice president for Research at WSU. “His work at Wayne State and the Karmanos Cancer Institute is another example of the tremendous research we are doing to uncover the cause of this deadly disease, which will lead us to new treatments, ultimately giving hope to many.”

In this new position, Dr. Mathur will provide leadership in the areas of combined M.D. degree programs, including M.D./Ph.D., M.D./M.P.H., M.D./M.B.A., M.D./J.D., M.D./M.S. and B.S./M.D., and for Postdoctoral Affairs.

Dean Robert M. Mentzer Jr., M.D., dean of the School of Medicine and senior advisor to the president for medical affairs, said Dr. Mathur will oversee recruitment of nationally competitive applicants; the development of innovative curricula; the development of programs to increase the research, educational and clinical achievements of trainees in the combined degree programs; and develop and implement policies for appointment, annual evaluation and career development of postdoctoral trainees, including oversight of the Postdoctoral Association.

“I am honored by the confidence placed in me by Dean Mentzer and Executive Dean (Robert) Frank for this opportunity to create a number of exciting new programs for medical students,” said Dr. Mathur, who will continue her responsibilities in the Department of Pediatrics and as associate director of the Institute of Medical Education.

“With the guidance of Dr. (Kenneth) Palmer, we have been able to build a vibrant and innovative M.D./Ph.D. program. We worked hard to put all those initiatives together for the program, and I am completely dedicated to adding to our successes there,” she said. “In addition, we established the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs just a few months ago. While we have moved forward on a number of fronts for improving the quality of the postdoctoral experience by establishing several new policies and career development opportunities for the trainees, we still have numerous areas that remain to be addressed. We hope to accomplish our goals with the help of the trainees, mentors, administration, and, most particularly, the Postdoctoral Association.”

Dean Mentzer said that Dr. Mathur’s drive in building a thriving M.D./Ph.D. program for the School of Medicine makes her the ideal candidate to develop other dual-degree programs.

“Dr. Mathur has been instrumental in developing our vibrant M.D./Ph.D. program,” Dean Mentzer said. “The success of that program is due largely to her fervent desire to improve the School of Medicine’s educational and service missions. Now in its sixth year, Dr. Mathur’s leadership and enthusiasm as director of the M.D./Ph.D. program and curriculum has kept the project thriving. Her intensity and dedication in time and focus to the project provide the impetus for its continued growth.”

Dean Mentzer noted that Wayne State University offers “excellent law, business management and education schools” as partners for dual-degree programming.

In fact, the spark for the creation of Dr. Mathur’s new position was the recognition by university officials that a large postdoctoral trainee population warrants establishing an Office of Postdoctoral Affairs to serve the university as a whole. Until such time as that office can be established, the university and Dr. Steven Salley, interim associate provost and dean of Wayne State University’s Graduate School, support moving forward with the programs that Dr. Mathur will develop and oversee.

“It is clear from the success of the M.D./Ph.D. program that both students and faculty alike are eager to expand the horizons of medical training,” Dr. Mathur said. “For example, knowledge and experience in judicial areas are important for physicians to be involved in crafting laws that influence medical practice. Similarly, having clinicians involved in hospital administration and management is beneficial to patients. Therefore, dual degrees such as M.D./J.D. or M.D./M.B.A. are important. In a climate that is emphasizing clinical and translational research, the M.P.H. degree provides physicians with the wherewithal to conduct important clinical and epidemiological research. And, of course, the importance of teaching can never be underestimated; hence a combined M.D./M.Ed. degree program.”

Dr. Mathur’s success with the M.D./Ph.D. program within the School of Medicine convinced university officials to expand the dual-degree program.

“As this initiative gains momentum, it is obvious Dr. Mathur’s involvement in educational and administrative service to the School of Medicine is broad and deep, and is to be admired and commended,” Executive Dean Frank wrote in his letter of recommendation. “Although the effort required to effectively carry out these responsibilities might have moderated her research activity, she still is able to publish, collaborate with other investigators, and actively develop and submit new grant proposals. A member of the faculty who can participate in all aspects of academic life must be considered an asset to the department and the school.”

Dr. Mathur received her doctorate degree in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Iowa. Following a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Richard Lynch at the University of Iowa and Dr. Brian Van Ness at the University of Minnesota, she was appointed assistant professor at the University of Minnesota and five years later was promoted to tenured associate professor. She joined Wayne State University in 2003 and was appointed the first permanent director of the M.D./Ph.D. program in 2003 and first director of the newly created Office of Postdoctoral Affairs in 2008.

You can help support the School of Medicine’s chapter of the World Health Student Organization relief effort by visiting Buffalo Wild Wings at 280 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale from 5 to 9 p.m. Jan. 14. Diners who present a certificate distributed throughout the School of Medicine earlier this week will see 15 percent of their food purchase price donated to the WHSO medical relief trip.

Twenty School of Medicine students will participate in the week-long trip to Belize, which begins Feb. 26. The majority of the group members are first-year students, like Jennifer Bruni.

“We do both group fundraisers and individual student fundraisers,” Ms. Bruni explained. “A portion of the money is raised by the whole group together -- like our Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser. In addition to the group fundraisers, individual students raise the rest of the money themselves. If not enough money is raised after both of these methods, then whatever cost is left over students would have to pay for themselves.”

Student trip leader Mala Gupta said the trip costs each student about $1,500, so the organization is working to raise $30,000 to cover travel costs.

The student group generally sees and treats about 1,000 patients during the week. Ms. Gupta said the students treat conditions such as worms, congenital disorders, malnutrition, cytomegalovirus, a variety of bacterial and viral infections, and injuries and wounds.

In special cases that may require surgery or other treatment, the students contact other physicians in the area, or those who will be coming to the area for relief work.

Last year, Ms. Gupta said, the group saw a child with congenital CMV that required eye surgery, and contacted an ophthalmologist who was willing to perform the surgery at no charge.

The students also collect donated medical supplies to treat the people they see in Belize. Anyone interested in making a donation of medical supplies can contact Ms. Bruni at jbruni@med.wayne.edu.

The program, featuring guest speaker the Rev. Nicholas Hood, a co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with the Rev. King, will take place from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. in Room 2268 of Scott Hall.

The $564,375 health disparity grant from the U.S. Department of Defense will fund Dr. Powell’s three-year study.

Deaths from prostate cancer are more than two times higher among African-American men than among European-Americans, Dr. Powell said. Genetics and environmental factors, including diet, play a major role in the disparity.

Recent reports suggest a link between prostate cancer and metabolic syndrome, which includes a cluster of symptoms such as abdominal obesity, high serum fat levels, low HDL cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes. The reports, Dr. Powell said, indicate that the presence of any three of these factors are associated with a 56 percent increase in prostate cancer risk.

“We hypothesize that metabolic syndrome plays a significant role in the aggressiveness and biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer among African-American men and may contribute significantly to disparity in outcomes among African-American men compared to European-American men,” Dr. Powell explained.

African-American men have been reported to have the highest incidence of obesity and hypertension in the United States. They also develop more aggressive prostate cancer.

Dr. Powell will compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among patients with an aggressive form of the disease as compared to non-aggressive forms. He will additionally stratify patients by race to examine whether the relationships to metabolic syndrome differ between African-Americans and European-Americans.

“We expect these studies will confirm our hypotheses that metabolic syndrome significantly contributes to racial disparity in prostate cancer recurrence and outcome,” Dr. Powell said. “Validation of this association will lead to better education, testing and treatment options in the African-American community, and ultimately will have significant impact on disparity of the death rate and complications associated with advanced prostate cancer, as well as the cost of health care.”

Specimens collected during the research, Dr. Powell said, will serve as a basis for future studies on biological and genetic indicators of aggressive prostate cancer, which could lead to new therapeutic interventions and prevention of aggressive forms of the disease.

Dr. Konski comes to Wayne State and Karmanos from the renowned Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pa., where he serves as chief medical officer for the center’s Partners Program. He will assume his new responsibilities by the end of March.

“We are fortunate to have an individual like Dr. Konski to lead the department,” said Robert M. Mentzer Jr., M.D., dean of the School of Medicine and senior advisor to the president for medical affairs. “I am steadfastly committed to supporting Dr. Konksi’s vision for a world class Radiation Oncology program for the School of Medicine and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. That vision, coupled with his inherent drive for cancer treatment research, care for patients and business acumen, is consistent with the Karmanos Cancer Center’s mission and commitment to providing outstanding comprehensive cancer care.”

John C. Ruckdeschel, president and chief executive officer of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, added, “Dr. Konski’s expertise and caliber of experience will support our efforts as one of the leading cancer centers not only in Michigan, but in the nation and world, providing cancer patients with exceptional cancer care second-to-none. We are also grateful for our continued partnership with Wayne State University School of Medicine, collaborating to make our community a destination for quality health care and state-of-the-science research."

In addition to his current duties as chief medical officer at Fox Chase Partners Program, Dr. Konski served as clinical research director for Radiation Oncology and clinical director of the center’s Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Program.

Dr. Konski joined Fox Chase in 2002. After completing his fellowship, he pursued his M.B.A. and M.A. in economics.

“I am excited to be joining the Department of Radiation Oncology and to continue the long history of groundbreaking accomplishments in the field of radiation oncology that have emanated from Wayne State’s Department of Radiation Oncology,” Dr. Konski said.

He added that he looks forward to working with other investigators at the school to “develop new cancer therapies that will reduce the burden of cancer for patients and their families.”

Dr. Konski received his bachelor’s degree from Saint Michael's College in Winooski, Vt., and his medical degree from New York Medical College. He served his internship and residency in radiation oncology at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital, where he was chief radiation oncology resident from 1987 to 1988. He also held an American Cancer Society clinical oncology fellowship.

He later earned his master’s in business administration degree and his master’s in economics at the University of Toledo. He was awarded the University of Toledo’s College of Business Pacemaker Award, and was elected to the Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma honorary societies.

Active in the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), a national organization sponsoring clinical trials using radiation therapy for cancer patients, he chairs the economics subcommittee on treatment outcomes. He also serves on the group’s research strategy committee.

Dr. Gorski is also the program leader for the Breast Cancer Biology Program at Karmanos.

Cancer Liaison Physicians are an integral part of cancer programs accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC). The CoC is a national network of more than 1,600 volunteer physicians who are responsible for providing leadership and direction to establish, maintain and support their facilities’ cancer program.

Dr. Gorski will spearhead CoC initiatives within the Karmanos Cancer Center; collaborate with local agencies such as the American Cancer Society, and facilitate quality improvement initiatives utilizing data submitted to the CoC’s National Cancer Database. The CoC collects data from participating cancer programs and provides them with information to assist in the analysis of diagnosis and treatment patterns.

On Jan. 13, Kevin J. Roberts, B.A., an ADHD coach and educational consultant, will present “Video Game Addiction: An Insider’s View.” The presentation will take place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the main auditorium of Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Lunch will be served from noon to 12:30 p.m.

Jeffrey A. Stanley, Ph.D., associated professor, will present “Update on BRAIN’s Pediatric Neuroimaging Studies at WSU” on Jan. 7.

The presentation will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center auditorium.

Sessions include:

Jan. 7, at 7 a.m., Hong Wang, M.D., will moderate a mortality and morbidity conference in the Murphy Auditorium at Harper University Hospital.

Jan. 14, at 7 a.m., Nazario Villasenor, M.D., will present “Pain Management & Regional Anesthesia in the Trauma Patient.”

Jan. 14, at 4:45 p.m., Milos Marjanovic, M.D., will present “Pain Seminars – Neuropathic Pain.”

Jan. 21, at 7 a.m., Shamsuddin Akhtar, M.D., associated professor and director of Medical Studies at the Yale University School of Medicine, will present “Perioperative Hyperglycemia: To Treat or Not to Treat.”

Jan. 21, at 5 p.m., Dr. Akhtar will present “Is it Time to get on the Beta-Blocker Bandwagon?”

Jan. 28, at 7 a.m., Hong Wang, M.D., will present “General vs. Regional Anethesia.”

All seminars will take place in the Prus Auditorium of Harper University Hospital unless otherwise noted.