By THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH
Jia Zhou, associate professor in the UTMB Center for Addiction Research, has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health for more than $2.46 million. The goal of this 5-year project is to develop small molecules that can regulate the balance of serotonin receptors in the brain in such a way that decreases relapse in cocaine addicts.
Volpi to lead on NIH study panel on aging
Dr. Elena Volpi will serve as the chairman of the National Institutes of Health’s Aging Systems and Geriatrics Study Section. Study sections review grant applications and score them on their scientific merit before the NIH decides on which grants to fund. Volpi, a professor of internal medicine and director of the Sealy Center on Aging, said serving on a study section is an honor and a great responsibility. Volpi will serve as chairman until June 30, 2017.
School of Health Professions graduation
The UTMB School of Health Professions will present approximately 360 graduates with their degrees at its Aug. 14 ceremony at Moody Gardens in Galveston. The event will start at 2 p.m. and Dr. Danny Jacobs, UTMB executive vice-president, provost and dean of the School of Medicine will confer the degrees. Six degrees will be presented to students along with several awards that recognize high achievements, including the new Interprofessional Scholar Medal, which goes to students who embody UTMB’s interprofessional philosophy of collaborating with health care professionals, community-based providers, patients, and patients’ families to enhance health care. Mario Celis, UTMB School of Health Professions alumnus, will be the guest speaker.
LeDuc named to national public health/scientific affairs board
James LeDuc, director of the Galveston National Laboratory, has been appointed by the American Society for Microbiology as chair of the Committee on Public Health of the Public and Scientific Affairs Board for a term ending June 30, 2018. His appointment was confirmed by the ASM’s Council on June 2.
Paessler appointed by NIH to review panel
Slobodan Paessler, a professor in the department of pathology, has been appointed by the National Institutes of Health as a member of the Virology B Study Section, Center for Scientific Review for a term beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2021. In this role, he will review grant applications submitted to the NIH, make recommendations on the applications to the NIH national advisory council and survey the status of research in their fields of science. Paessler was chosen because of his demonstrated competence and achievement in his scientific discipline.
Inside UTMB is compiled by the communications department at the University of Texas Medical Branch.