Dr. Donghoon Chung publishes new findings in Science Translational Medicine

M&I Associate Professor, Dr. Donghoon Chung, and collaborators have designed, synthesized and tested a new antiviral compound and shown it to be highly effective against two types of encephalitis viruses that cause devastating illness in humans. Read the article, titled, "Efficacy of a brain-penetrant antiviral in lethal Venezuelan and eastern equine encephalitis mouse models" here.  Dr. Chung's research was recently highlighted in UofL News. Click here to read the feature. 

Dr. Huang-Ge Zhang publishes new findings in Cell Host & Microbe

M&I Professor, Dr. Huang-Ge Zhang, recently published new findings that were highlighted on the cover of Cell Host & Microbe. The article titled "Gut bacterial isoamylamine promotes age-related cognitive dysfunction by promoting microglial cell death" can be found here. 

Dr. Carolyn Roberson receives Gender Equity Award, Golden Apple Awards

Dr. Carolyn Roberson was awarded the 2020-2021 Gender Equity Award by the American Medical Women's Association. The Gender Equity Award honors outstanding contributions of medical school faculty who promote a gender-equal environment in the education and training of physicians. Additionally, Dr. Roberson received the 2020-2021 Golden Apple Award(s) from the Class of 2023 and from the Class of 2024. The Golden Apple Award is given to faculty who demonstrate outstanding teamwork, professional responsibility, and consideration of medical students. Congratulations Dr. Roberson! 

Dr. Carolyn Roberson receives Gender Equity Award 

Dr. Carolyn Roberson was awarded the Gender Equity Award by the American Medical Women's Association. The Gender Equity Award honors outstanding contributions of medical school faculty who promote a gender-equal environment in the education and training of physicians. Congratulations Dr. Roberson! 

Dr. Carolyn Casella receives Golden Apple Award

Dr. Carolyn Casella was selected by School of Medicine Class of 2022 to receive the Golden Apple Award for the 2019-2020 school year.  The Golden Apple Award is given to faculty who demonstrate outstanding teamwork, professional responsibility, and consideration of medical students. Congratulations Dr. Casella! 

Novel link between obesity and breast cancer highlighted

Dr. Bing Li’s discovery of a novel link between an obesity associated protein (FABP4) and breast cancer was recently highlighted in an invited forum article in the journal Trends in Molecular Medicine (https://www.cell.com/trends/molecular-medicine/fulltext/S1471-4914(20)30076-9 ) as well as on University of Louisville’s website (https://www.uoflnews.com/post/uofltoday/uofl-researchers-describe-possible-mechanism-for-link-between-obesity-and-breast-cancer/ ).  Congratulations Bing!

Abu Kwaik laboratory publishes finding in Cell Host Microbe

Drs. Abu Kwaik and Price published their latest novel finding on Legionella pneumophila in Cell Host Microbe (impact factor 17.9).  The study demonstrates that a protein required for adaptation of Legionella to its natural host amoeba paradoxically induces Macrophage activation in its accidental host, humans. Click here for the publication.

Dr. Shirwan receives SOM Faculty Excellence Award

Dr. Haval Shirwan was the recipient of the School of Medicine’s inaugural 2019 Faculty Excellence Award for Outstanding Research in Basic and Applied Sciences.  This award recognizes exceptional scholarship, creative work and/or research recognized nationally and/or internationally.  Congratulations, Dr. Shirwan!

Dr. Jala receives Industry Contract

Dr. Krishna Jala received a one-year $150,000 contract entitled “Evaluating  therapeutic doses and gut barrier functional activities of ARTX-28 in pre-clinical colitis models”  from Artus Therapeutics, Inc. His initial findings on the activity of this compound were published in a 2019 Nature Communications article.

Dr. Carolyn Roberson Receives Golden Apple Award

Dr. Carolyn Roberson was selected by the School of Medicine Class of 2021 to receive the Golden Apple Award for the 2018-19 academic year.  The Golden Apple Award is given to faculty who demonstrate outstanding teamwork, professional responsibility, and consideration of medical students.  The award was presented at the Fall Honors Convocation, which was held Monday, November 18, 2019.  Congratulations Dr. Roberson!

Dr. Alard receives Medical Education Research Award at Research!Louisville

Dr. Pascale Alard received 2nd place for the 2019 Research! Louisville, Ruth Greenberg award for Medical Education Research with her project entitled “Using IF-AT strategy in the dental immunology curriculum has a beneficial impact on performance and long term retrieval”. Ruth Greenberg award supports studies that investigate methods and outcomes related to teaching and learning for healthcare learners.

Read more at: https://louisville.edu/researchlouisville/r-l-2019-award-winners-and-photos/r-l-2019-award-winners/view

Novel immune-based cancer prevention approach developed

In a recent publication in Cancer Research Drs. Shirwan and Yolcu describe a novel approach to cancer prevention using an immune therapeutic developed in their laboratories:  https://insiderlouisville.com/health/preventing-cancer-uofl-discovery-holds-promise/

Plant exosomes remodel gut microbiome and host immunity

Dr. Huang-Ge Zhang’s recent publication in Cell Host & Microbe reveals how plant products and their effects on the microbiome may be used to target specific host processes to alleviate disease.  This finding has already attracted significant national attention (SienceDirect and The Scientist).

Dr. Abu Kwaik elected American Academy of Microbiology fellow

Dr. Abu Kwaik was elected to Fellowship in the American Academy of Microbiology, which is the honorific leadership group within the American Society for Microbiology.  Membership recognizes excellence, originality, and leadership in the microbiological sciences.