January 26, 2012
Honored to Serve as the Chair, Board of Directors for the W. Montague Cobb/National Medical Association (COBB) Health Institute
The Cobb Institute, founded by the National Medical Association (NMA) is focused on the elimination of disparities in health and healthcare that disproportionately affect African Americans. Disparities in health among, racial and ethnic groups in the US are significant and, by many measures, continue to increase.
The institute is named for William Montague Cobb, who dedicated his life to turning prejudice into pluralism. The first black physical anthropologist to earn a Ph.D. and the only one until the Korean War, Dr. Cobb’s work focused on the consequences of segregation and racism, and he used his work to confront these issues. Dr. Cobb served as president of the National Medical Association from 1964-65. In 1976, he became president of the NAACP, a post he held until 1982.
As a physician-scientist involved in research on health disparities and its affect on health status in this country, I am acutely aware of the need for community education and outreach. Bringing effective health care to the underrepresented populations of this country is my mission inf serving as the Chair of the Board for the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute.
Thanks to the leadership of the W. Montague Cobb/National Medical Association (COBB) Health Institute, especially Dr. Randall Morgan our Executive Direcotr, and thanks to the leadership of the National Medical Association for helping to make Dr. Cobb's dream a reality.
Posted at 12:58 PM
January 11, 2012
Reflecting on the Past and Looking to the Future: The Constancy and Commonality of Challenges
On Monday, we will commemorate the 83rd anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth. Reflecting on his legacy, I recall 2 speeches I gave in 2011. On 2 vastly different subjects, they shared the commonality of challenge. At the National Institutes of Health, I was fortunate to be asked to provide last year’s NIH National Day of Remembrance Speech in honor of Dr. King. In the 1960s, he challenged the status quo, fighting for racial justice and an end to racially based disparities. Even now, 43 years after his death, Martin Luther King continues challenging us to carry on that battle.
Last June, I spoke at the 25th anniversary celebration of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). The theme was “Meeting the Grand Challenges.” I talked about the scientific work the Institute for Regenerative Engineering is doing here at UConn, work with the potential to revolutionize the field. Mainly, though, I talked about the people doing that work. We have been very, very blessed here at the Institute. We have brought together a wonderful group of scientists of diverse backgrounds—all good people—with protean interests that work together.
I constantly think of Dr. King’s challenge: “What are you doing for others?” It is my hope that all of us keep that in mind as we face the challenges ahead in science, in medicine, and, most importantly, in our lives as members of our local and global communities.
Posted at 10:07 AM
January 06, 2012
Featured Student of the Institute for Regenerative Engineering: Keshia Ashe
Keshia Ashe is one of my graduate students pursuing her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. Our paths crossed at the University of Virginia where she received her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering under the guidance of my former student, Dr. Edward Botchwey. I was really honored when she decided to move to Connecticut with me after finishing her undergraduate degree. Since joining my lab, she has explored her interests in bone and ligament regenerative engineering, controlled drug delivery, novel biodegradable biomaterials, nanotechnology, and biochemistry. In her four years as a graduate student, she has successfully published a book chapter on integrin-mediated cell adhesion, co-authored four highly cited publications in the new field of osteoinductive synthetic small molecules for bone regenerative engineering, and has begun to investigate the use of small molecules for ligament repair and regeneration. Specifically, Keshia’s research interests include:
1. Investigating the signaling pathways involved in collagen production and degradation during anterior cruciate ligament repair.
2. Synthesis and characterization of the novel inorganic-organic polyphophazene polymer.
3. Development and evaluation of small molecule releasing nanofibrous matrices for enhanced anterior cruciate ligament regeneration.
In addition to her research activities, she actively contributes to the development of her colleagues and underserved youth population as the vice president of the Controlled Release Society (CRS) and as a mentor to 20 high school students within the UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs (HCOP). Furthermore, she recently started a non-profit organization, ManyMentors, which uses online video conferencing to connect women and minority high school students with college students in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. It has been a pleasure advising Keshia through her many research endeavors and serving as a role model for her youth-focused activities. I anticipate nothing but the best as she continues to make an impact on not only academia, but also on the social climate of STEM.
Posted at 08:30 AM
December 30, 2011
Honored to Speak at NIH
Last June, I was invited to speak at the 25th anniversary celebration of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). My talk, entitled “Meeting the Grand Challenges: Bold Ideas; Bold, Smart People; Organizations that Believe,” was based on my firm belief that we need those three things to successfully tackle challenges in medicine. Other keynote speakers included Professor Helen Lu, my former fellow at Drexel who is Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University. I thank NIAMS for providing ongoing financial support for our research and for having the courage to believe in bold ideas. My talk was recently placed online. Please visit Meeting the Grand Challenges. I welcome your comments. Thank you.
Posted at 08:12 AM
December 29, 2011
A Bold, New Research Initiative
Recently, the National Science Foundation (NSF) Science and Technology Center Program reviewed our grant p re-proposal and invited us to develop a full application. It was particularly exciting for us because we scored in the top 10% of all submissions.
If the NSF approves our application, a unique center, focused on a regenerative engineering approach to complex tissue and organ regeneration, will be established with a base here at UConn. The proposed studies will assist in designing strategies to transition from individual tissues to complex organ regeneration. This program will focus on the integration of stem cell technology, regenerative biology, and Biomaterials science. Having a dedicated center will bring basic science, engineering, and medicine together under one umbrella. Our hope is that we will develop practical strategies which will ultimately lead to whole limb regeneration.
Congratulations to all the investigators who are participating in this proposal!
Posted at 08:10 AM
December 27, 2011
Featured Fellow of the Institute for Regenerative Engineering: Dr. Kevin Wai Hong Lo
Dr. Lo is a fellow who’s been in my team since 2008. He was born in Hong Kong and received his Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Dr. Lo’s research interests include musculoskeletal tissue engineering, drug delivery, regenerative medicine, biomaterials, biochemistry, and cell molecular biology. Dr. Lo has been an outstanding fellow and it's been great to have the opportunity to mentor him. His research contributions are reflected in his nineteen papers published in high-impact journals which have been highly cited by other investigators. Dr. Lo submitted several grant applications to funding agencies and two of the applications were recently funded. Dr. Lo also serves as an independent reviewer for a number of international peer-review journals.
Specific areas of Dr. Lo’s interest include:
1. Develop bone-inducing small molecules for bone regenerative engineering.
2. Develop targeted drug delivery system for osteoporosis.
3. Evaluate the therapeutic potential of using molecular motors as nano-scale motor vehicles to deliver drugs and/or genes intracellularly.
4. Investigate the signaling pathway mechanism underlying bone regeneration in cells and tissues.
Posted at 08:36 AM