Past Awardees
Pilot Project Awards
The Institute of Integration for Medicine & Science is pleased to announce the following recipients of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Pilot Projects for 2019.
2019 IIMS/CTSA Program
Name | Institute | Title |
Yidong Bai, PhD | The role of Hispanic specific mitochondrial haplogroups on HCC in Mexican Americans | |
Jeffery Boychuk, PhD | Metabolic disorders interfere with behavioral and cellular stroke recovery: Effects of high fat diet | |
Xiao-Dong Chen, MD, PhD
Jean Jiang, PhD |
Mesenchymal stem cells suppress tumor cell growth | |
Yvonne Covin, MD | Diagnostic Excellence through Patient Engagement (DICE) study | |
David Morilak, PhD
April Risinger, PhD |
Developing a rat prostate cancer model as a platform to investigate cancer therapy-induced cognitive impairment and its treatment | |
Naomi Sayre, PhD
Miranda Orr, PhD |
Investigating a role for celluar senescence in brain trauma-induced neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment | |
Eun Yong Shim, PhD
Hai Rao, PhD |
Targeting Brca1- or Brca2-Mutant Ovarian Cancers by Small Molecule-Induced Proteolysis of Rad52 | |
Kexin Xu, PhD
Matthew Hart, PhD Stanton McHardy, PhD |
Development of small-molecule inhibitors of EZH2 using a new strategy | |
Qitao Ran, PhD
James Lechleiter, PhD |
Astrocyte activation by small-molecule compounds as a novel therapy for motor neuron disease | |
Soo Chan Lee, PhD
Alexi Tumanov, MD, PhD |
Interaction between intestinal fungi and bacteria in the regulation of gut permeability and inflammation | |
2016-2017 Pilot Project Awards
The Institute of Integration for Medicine & Science is pleased to announce the following recipients of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Pilot Projects for September 2016-August 2017.
IIMS/CTSA Program
Armen Akopian, PhD Associate Professor |
Endodontics UTHSCSA |
Approaches in management postoperative pain in aged individuals |
Thomas Boyer, PhD Professor |
Molecular Medicine UTHSCSA |
Targeting uterine fibroid stem cells with precision‐based therapies |
Sara Espinoza, MD, MSc Associate Professor |
Medicine/Geriatrics, Gerontology & Palliative Care UTHSCSA/STVHCS |
Intranasal Oxytocin for Treatment of Sarcopenic Obesity in Older Adults |
Janna Lesser, PhD, RN Professor |
Family & Community Health Systems UTHSCSA |
Reaching an Underserved and Hard to Reach Population in a Rural County at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes |
Andrew Meyer, MD, MS Assistant Professor |
Pediatrics/Critical Care SAMHS/UTHSCSA |
EMILIN2 genetic variation effects on platelet aggregation and thrombosis |
Polly Noel, PhD Associate Professor |
Family & Community Medicine UTHSCSA |
Linking Older Primary Care Patients to Community‐based Resources to Improve Health & Functioning |
Luke Norton, PhD Assistant Professor |
Medicine/Diabetes UTHSCSA |
The Regulation of Hepatic Pyruvate Metabolism by Pioglitazone |
Raymond Palmer, PhD Professor |
Family & Community Medicine UTHSCSA |
An Exploratory Investigation of Organic Chemicals Measured in Deciduous Teeth |
Luiz Penalva, PhD Associate Professor |
Cellular & Structural Biology UTHSCSA |
miRNA‐transcription factor networks in neurogenesis and tumorigenesis |
Hai Rao, PhD Associate Professor |
Molecular Medicine UTHSCSA |
Overcoming VCP‐induced ALS |
Shivani Ruparel, PhD Assistant Professor |
Endodontics UTHSCSA |
Role of BDNF in Oral Cancer Pain |
IIMS/TBRI Program
Luis Giavedoni, PhD Scientist |
Virology & Immunology TBRI |
Towards a cure for AIDS in the SIV/rhesus macaque model |
IIMS/MHI Program
Michael Liss, MD Assistant Professor |
Urology UTHSCSA |
Transitional Care of Service Members with Genitourinary Injury |
Mary Jo Pugh, PhD Associate Professor |
Epidemiology & Biostatistics UTHSCSA/STVHCS |
Military and Veteran Caregiver Epilepsy Survey |
Lora Watts, PhD Assistant Professor |
Cellular & Structural Biology UTHSCSA |
Could gut microbes serve as biomarkers for traumatic brain injury? |
IIMS/UTSA Program
Ashok Chaturvedi, PhD Assistant Professor |
Biology/STCEID UTSA |
Repurposing FDA‐approved Ebselen and Auranofin as antifungals: teaching old drugs new tricks |
Stan McHardy, PhD Director, CIDD |
Chemistry, College of Sciences UTSA |
Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Fatty Amino Acid Hydrolase Inhibitors for Schizophrenia Pharmacotherapy |
2015-2016 Pilot Project Awards
The Institute of Integration for Medicine & Science is pleased to announce the following recipients of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Pilot Projects for October 2015-September 2016.
IIMS/CTSA Program
Robert Ferrer Professor |
Family & Community Medicine UTHSCSA |
“Poner La Mesa: building skills for healthy eating in a vulnerable primary care population” |
Veronica Galvan Assistant Professor |
Physiology/ Barshop UTHSCSA |
“Neurovascular tau in dementia” |
Cara Gonzales Assistant Professor |
Comprehensive Dentistry UTHSCSA |
“Development of Novel Capsazepine Analogs to Treat Oral Cancer: A Collaborative Drug Development Program between UTHSCSA Dental School and UTSA Center for Innovative Drug Discovery” |
Yves Gorin Associate Professor |
Medicine/Nephrology UTHSCSA | “Dual oxidase 2 as a novel therapeutic target in diabetic kidney disease” |
Dharam Kaushik Assistant Professor | Urology UTHSCSA |
“Radical Cystectomy Compared with Combined Modality Treatment for Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Pilot Randomized Control Trial” |
Ellen Kraig Professor |
Cellular & Structural Biology UTHSCSA/VA |
“Acarbose as a safe effective modulator of aging deficits in geriatric subjects” |
Senlin Li Professor |
Medicine/ Infectious Disease UTHSCSA |
“Disruption of CCR5 gene in blood stem cells followed by transplantation as curative therapy for HIV ” |
Marcus Restrepo Associate Professor | Medicine/Pulmonary and Critical Care UTHSCSA/VA |
“Detection of Heart Scarring by Contrast MRI after a Pneumococcal Pneumonia Episode” |
Donald Royall Professor | Psychiatry UTHSCSA |
“A phase II clinical trial: Methylene blue in healthy aging and Alzheimer’s disease patients” |
Sandeep Sagar Assistant Professor |
Medicine/Cardiology UTHSCSA |
“Admittance to Detect Pre-Clinical Heart Failure” |
Paula Stigler Granados Assistant Professor |
Management, Policy & Community Health UTSPH |
“Exploring impacts on drinking water from unconventional oil and gas development in the Eagle Ford Shale” |
Robert Svatek Assistant Professor |
Urology UTHSCSA |
“Humanized animal model platform to investigate cancer immune therapy in bladder cancer patients” |
IIMS/TBRI Program
Anthony Comuzzie Scientist |
Genetics TBRI |
“Mechanisms of appetite control in lean individuals with a family history of obesity” |
Marcel Daadi Associate Scientist/ Associate Professor |
Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine TBRI |
“Imaging dopaminergic grafts in marmoset model of Parkinson’s disease” |
Ruth Ruprecht Scientist |
Department of Virology & Immunology UTHSCSA/TBRI |
“Structural analysis of a monoclonal antibody that targets a novel region on HIV-1 gp41” |
IIMS/GCCRI Program
Ann Griffith Assistant Professor |
Microbiology & Immunology UTHSCSA |
“Novel strategies to improve T cell reconstitution after cytoablative therapy” |
Sang Eun Lee Professor |
Molecular Medicine UTHSCSA | “Role of SLX4IP in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia” |
Yuzuru Shiio Associate Professor |
Biochemistry UTHSCSA |
“Cytokine addiction in Ewing sarcoma” |
2014-2015 Pilot Project Awards
The Institute of Integration for Medicine & Science is pleased to announce the following recipients of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Pilot Projects for August 2014-July 2015.
CTSA Program
Timothy Q. Duong Professor/MRI Division Chief |
Research Imaging Institute UTHSCSA |
“Effects of Methylene Blue on Cognitive and fMRI Brain Activity in Healthy Humans” |
Kristina W. Whitworth Assistant Professor |
School of Public Health, San Antonio Campus | “Partners for a Healthy Community and Environment (PACE)” |
Timothy Anderson Scientist |
Genetics Texas Biomedical Research Institute |
“Population Genomic Tools for Schistosome Parasites” |
David Kadosh Associate Professor |
Microbiology & Immunology UTHSCSA | “Development of a Novel Antifungal Treatment for Candida Species Biofilms” |
Linda J. Roman Associate Professor |
Biochemistry UTHSCSA |
“Nitric Oxide and Insulin Signaling in Skeletal Muscle” |
Edward Y. Sako Professor, Division Chief, Adult Cardiac Surgery |
Cardiothoracic Surgery UTHSCSA |
“Ex vivo Studies of Tricuspid Valve Mechanics” |
Qiang Shen Assistant Professor/ Research |
Ophthalmology and Research Imaging Institute UTHSCSA |
“Oxygen‐challenge T2*‐Weighted MRI of Acute and Chronic Ischemic Stroke” |
Shweta Bansal Assistant Professor |
Medicine/Nephrology UTHSCSA |
“Regulation of FGF23 in CKD: Beyond Phosphate” |
Anand Ramasubramanian Assistant Professor |
Biomedical Engineering UTSA |
“A Rapid, Low-cost Device for MRSA Identification and Drug Susceptibility” |
Donna M. Lehman Associate Professor |
Medicine UTHSCSA |
“TCF7L2 Genetic Editing in Human Glutamatergic Neurons” |
IIMS/CTRC Program
Andrew Hinck Professor |
Biochemistry UTHSCSA |
“Blocking Tumor-and Fibrosis Promoting Activity of TGF-beta with Novel Small Molecule Assembly Inhibitors” |
Md Mizanur Rahman Assistant Professor/ Research |
Medicine – Clinical Immunology UTHSCSA |
“Efficacy of Combining Valproic Acid (VPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Treating Prostate Cancer” |
IIMS/GCCRI Program
Alexander Bishop Associate Professor |
Greehey CCRI UTHSCSA |
“Bloom Syndrome, Chronic Stress and Cancer” |
Rong Li Professor |
Molecular Medicine UTHSCSA | “BRCA1 and its Cofactor in Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity Among Pediatric Cancer Survivors” |
Alex Pertsemlidis Associate Professor |
Greehey CCRI UTHSCSA |
“Elucidating how Chromosome 21 Protects Against Neuroblastoma Occurrence” |
2013-2014 Pilot Project Awards
The Institute of Integration for Medicine & Science is pleased to announce the following recipients of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Pilot Projects for 2013-2014. The IIMS/CTSA partnered with the Cancer Therapy and Research Center (CTRC), the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), the Center for Biomedical Neuroscience (CBN) and the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to fund a total of 17 projects.
IIMS/CTSA Program
Reto Asmis, PhD Professor and Associate Dean |
Clinical Lab Science and Biochemistry UTHSCSA |
Novel dual-modality matrix metalloproteinase-2 activatable folate recepto-targeting delivery system for the in vivo imaging of vascular inflammation |
Adelita Cantu, PhD, RN Assistant Professor |
Community and Family Health Systems UTHSCSA |
Community perceptions of the environmental issues related to the Donna Reservoir: An environmental justice CBPR pilot study |
Suman Challa, BDS, MS Assistant Professor |
Comprehensive Dentistry UTHSCSA |
Novel use of deciduous teeth to explore early life exposure to environmental pollutants in childhood obesity |
Yong-Hee Patricia Chun, DDS, MS, PhD Assistant Professor/ Research |
Periodontics UTHSCSA |
Prevalence of molar-incisor hypomineralization in South Texas |
Eric Muir, PhD Instructor |
Ophthalmology/ Research Imaging Institute UTHSCSA |
Ocular vascular dysfunction and hypoxia in a mouse model of glaucoma |
Jason O’Connor, PhD Assistant Professor |
Pharmacology UTHSCSA |
Neuroinflammatory shift in tryptophan metabolism: A novel mechanism driving cognitive impairment? |
CTRC/IIMS Program
Yidong Bai, PhD Associate Professor |
Cellular and Structural Biology UTHSCSA |
The effect of mitochondrial deficiency caused by a colorectal cancer associated complex I ND5 mutation on metastasis |
Bradley Pollock, MPH, PhD Professor and Chair |
Epidemiology and Biostatistics UTHSCSA |
Assessment of risk factors of hepatocellular cardinoma in the SABOR population |
Manjeet Rao, PhD Assistant Professor |
Cellular and Structural Biology GCCRI |
Improving the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs in treating drug-resistant breast cancers |
GCCRI/IIMS Program
Liqin Du, PhD Instructor/Research |
Cellular and Structural Biology GCCRI |
A high-content functional screen to identify long-coding RNAs controlling neuroblastoma cell differentiation |
Helen Parsons, PhD Assistant Professor |
Epidemiology and Biostatistics UTHSCSA |
Epidemiology of MRI-confirmed cardiac late effects in anthracycline-exposed survivors of childhood cancer |
Yuzuru Shiio, MD, PhD Assistant Professor |
Biochemistry GCCRI |
Fli-1-EWS: A dark horse in Ewing sarcoma |
UTSA/IIMS Program
Stanton McHardy, PhD Director, Associate Professor (Co-PI, Rong Li, PhD, Professor, Molecular Medicine) |
Center for Innovations in Drug Development, Research, Chemistry
UTSA |
Discovery of novel inhibitors on oncoprotein EYA2 in breast and ovarian cancers |
Jiahua Ruan, PhD Assistant Professor (Co-PI, Tim Hui-Ming Huang, PhD, Professor, Molecular Medicine) |
Computer Science
UTSA |
Network-based integrative analysis of epigenetic changes in cancer genomes |
2012-2013 Pilot Project Awards
The Institute of Integration for Medicine & Science is pleased to announce the following recipients of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Pilot Projects for August 2012-July 2013. The IIMS/CTSA partnered with the Cancer Therapy and Research Center (CTRC) and the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to fund a total of 13 projects.
IIMS Program
Veronica Galvan, PhD | Physiology | Preservation of vascular integrity in Alzheimer’s disease by rapamycin |
Marie-Claire Gauduin, PhD | TBRI/Virology and Immunology | Development of a novel HIV vaccine approach using chimeric SIV/varicella virus |
Jonathan Gelfond, MD, PhD | Epidemiology and Biostatistics | Building an Electronic Data Analysis Record System |
Dean L Kellogg, MD, PhD | Physiology | Pilot study to assess whether rapamycin will improve immunity in octogenarians |
Xin-Yun Lu, MD, PhD | Pharmacology | Alterations in leptin receptor signaling in major depression |
Raymond F Palmer, PhD | Family and Community Medicine | Distribution of exogenous chemicals in deciduous dentin and enamel |
Qiang Shen, PhD | Research Imaging Institute | Probe focal ischemic tissue viability and functional recovery by using multimodal MRI |
UTSA/IIMS Program
Janakiram Seshu, PhD (Co-PI: Brian Wickes, PhD, Microbiology) | UTSA/Biology | Validation of genotype-specific detection of the agent of Lyme disease |
Floyd Wormley, PhD (Co-PI: Thomas Patterson, MD, Medicine/Infectious Disease) | UTSA/Microbiology and Immunology | Vaccine Potential of Recombinant Cryptococcus neoformans Heat Shock Protein 90 Against Experimental Pulmonary Cryptococcus |
CTRC/IIMS Program
William P Clarke, PhD | Pharmacology | In vivo and ex vivo models of peripheral neuropathy induced by microtubule targeting anticancer drugs. |
Rita Ghosh, PhD | Urology | Hormone-induced reactive species in prostate cancer |
Susan L Mooberry, PhD | Pharmacology | Clinical development of new microtubule stabilizers |
Patricia Renee Yew, PhD | Molecular Medicine | Targeting aggressive prostate cancer through the Rb-MCM7-TGFβ1 axis |
2011 Pilot Project Awards
The Institute of Integration for Medicine & Science is pleased to announce the following recipients of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Pilot Projects for June 2011-April 2012. The IIMS/CTSA partnered with the Cancer Therapy and Research Center (CTRC) and the School of Medicine to fund a total of 16 projects.
IIMS Program
Name | Department | Project Title |
---|---|---|
Nedal Arar, MD | Medicine / Nephrology | Genomic-based Research Applications for Community Engagement (GRACE). |
Tim Duong, PhD | Ophthalmology | Predicting acute ischemic tissue fate in a clinically relevant non-human primate stroke model. |
Franco Folli, MD, PhD | Medicine / Diabetes | Impact of Mechanical Unloading, Nutrition, and Neuro-hormonal Mediators on Bone Metabolism after Bariatric Surgery. |
Peter Fox, MD | Research Imaging Inst. | Neural and genetic correlates of executive function. |
Georgianna Gould | Physiology | Neuropharmacological impacts and non-invasive markers of high-dose acetaminophen exposures. |
Michael Henry | Endodontics | Role of the OLAM System in Inflamed Human Tissue. |
Scott Johnson | CT Surgery | Efficacy of Inhaled Nanoparticle Tacrolimus in Preventing Rejection in a Rodent Lung Transplant Model. |
Claude Jourdan-LeSaux | Medicine / Cardiology | Evaluation of inhaled tacrolimus as a potential therapeutic compound in pulmonary fibrosis. |
Amrita Kamat | Medicine/ Geriatrics |
Effects of poor maternal diet on regulation of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha and diabetes. |
Roman Kuranov | Ophthalmology | Layer Specific Functional Optical Imaging of Diabetic Retinopathy. |
CTRC/IIMS Program
Name | Department | Project Title |
---|---|---|
Rong Li, PhD | Molecular Medicine | Regulation of ERbeta-Specific Functions in Breast Cancer |
Sunil Sudarshan, MD | Urology | A novel oncometabolite in renal cancer |
Robert Svatek, MD | Urology | Combined intravesical chemo- and immunotherapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer |
Bin Zhang, MD, PhD | Medicine / Hematology-Oncology | A novel cell labeling of T lymphocytes allows in vivo cellular imaging of anti-tumor T cell homing to the tumor by MRI |
School of Medicine Program
Name | Department | Project Title |
---|---|---|
Patricia Dahia, MD, PhD (Co-PI: I-Tien Yeh, MD Pathology) | Medicine / Hematology-Oncology | Gene discovery in cancer using next generation technology |
Charles Leach, MD (Co-PI: Ellen Kraig, PhD C&SB) | Pediatrics / Infectious Diseases | Association of Distinct Microbiomes with Cardiovascular Disease in a Mexican-American Cohort |
Senlin Li, MD (Co-PI: Suzette Tardif, PhD, C&SB and Barshop) | Medicine/ Infectious Diseases | Preclinical study of a neuroprotective therapy for Parkinson’s disease in non-human primate |
2010 Pilot Project Awards
Recipients of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Pilot Projects for June 2010-April 2011.
Name | Department | Project Title |
---|---|---|
James H. Jorgensen Ph.D. | Pathology | Development of Improved Diagnostic Methods for Detection of Multi-Drug-Resistant Bacteria that Produce Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases, Carbapenamases or Plasmid-Mediated AmpC Enzymes |
Pawel A. Osmulski Ph.D. | Molecular Medicine | Creating and screening novel, rapamycin-based anti-cancer compounds |
Vikhyat Bebarta MD | Emergency Medicine, Div of Medical Toxicology | Cobinamide – evaluation of a new cyanide antidote in a critically ill swine model of acute cyanide toxicity |
Timothy Q, Duong Ph.D. | Research Imaging Institute | Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Human Retina |
Anand K. Ramasubramanian Ph.D. | Biomedical Engineering | CaBChip: A high-throughput screen for antifungal drug discovery |
Anne-Marie Langevin MD | Pediatrics | Translational genomics studies of dysregulated miRNAs in osteosarcoma |
M. Danet Lapiz-Bluhm BSN, Ph.D. | Chronic Nursing Care | Alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and cognitive functioning in combat and civilian trauma PTSD |
Barbara Saatkamp Taylor MD MS Epi | Medicine | Epigenetic predictors of immune response to antiretroviral therapy for HIV |
Luzhe Sun Ph.D. | Cellular & Structural Biology | Preclinical Investigation of the Role of Hedgehog Pathway in Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer with a Hedgehog Inhibitor |
Peter W. Nathanielsz MD Ph.D. ScD | Obstetrics and Gynecology | A nonhuman primate model of teenage pregnancy |
Adelita Gonzales Cantu Ph.D. RN | Chronic Nursing Care | Internet Use in Providing Enhancement and Sustainability of a Community-Based Health and Wellness Promotion Program in a Mexican American Population |
2009 ARRA funded Pilot Projects
Thanks to ARRA funding, the Institute of Integration for Medicine & Science was able to fund the following recipients of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Pilot Projects for 2009-2010.
Name | Department | Project Title |
---|---|---|
Dahia, Patricia MD PhD | Medicine/Hematology | Molecular studies of a novel tumor suppressor gene |
Villar, Cristina DDS MS PhD | Periodontics | Regulation of oral epithelial cell endocytic and apoptotic pathways by Candida albicans |
Feldman, Marc MD | Medicine/Biomedical Engineering | Admittance for heart failure detection |
Burge, Sandra PhD | Family & Community Medicine | Changes in opioid use in patients with chronic low back pain |
Fernandes, Gabriel PhD (Hazuda) | Medicine/Immunology and Rheumatology | Diet, neurotoxicity, and insulin resistance: an exploration of the potential impact of aspartame consumption on neurodegeneration and metabolic dysfunction in rodents and humans |
Hazuda, Helen PhD (Fernandes) | Medicine/Clinical Epidemiology | Diet, neurotoxicity, and insulin resistance: an exploration of the potential impact of aspartame consumption on neurodegeneration and metabolic dysfunction in rodents and humans |
Tardif, Suzette PhD | Cellular & Structural Biology | Development of a nonhuman primate model of age-related functional decline |
Renteria, Rene PhD | Physiology | Rapamycin as a treatment for structural and functional deficits of the retina in diabetic retinopathy |
Anzueto, Antonio MD | Medicine/Pulmonary Diseases | Rosuvastatin/Placebo in Influenza H1N1 |
2009 Pilot Project Awardees
Name | Department | Project Title |
---|---|---|
Aguiar, Ricardo C. MD, PhD | Medicine/Hematology & Medical Oncology | Therapeutic targeting of PDE4B and associated survival pathways in B-cell lymphomas |
Blanco, Cynthia, MD | Pediatrics | Insulin signaling and glucose metabolism in the premature baboon model |
Block, Karen, PhD | Medicine/Nephrology | Role of p22phox-mediated oxidative stress in renal carcinogenesis: Translational Applications |
Frei, Christopher, PharmD, MSc | Pharmacotherapy Education & Research Center | CA-MRSA: Genetics, Resistance, and Treatment in a South Texas Practice-Based Research Network |
Hinck, Andrew, PhD | Biochemistry | Inhibition of the tumor-promoting activities of TGF-β by novel structure-based inhibitors |
Peng, Qi, PhD | Radiology | Novel High Resolution and High Contrast Imaging Technologies for Improved White Matter Diffusion Tensor Imaging on Human |
Theresa Powell, PhD | Obstetrics & Gynecology | Omega 3 supplementation in gestational diabetes to improve the health of women and their babies |