- Workforce needed to apply promising new technologies to real world -

Students in the USF Biotechnology Master's Program tour Moffitt's Microarray Core Laboratory.

As the pace of technology quickens, the demand for highly skilled biotechnology professionals who can meet the demands of business and industry continues to grow. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that 100,000 new jobs in biotechnology were added in the last five years.

At USF, a master’s program started last year is preparing students for careers as scientists, managers, consultants and other positions in the burgeoning field of biotechnology. The USF Biotechnology Master’s Program places a strong emphasis on practical and networking experience. It is the newest of three university-wide master’s degrees offered by the university’s College of Medicine. The other two, begun in 2003, are the master’s programs in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology and in Bioethics & Medical Humanities.

Crossing traditional disciplines
While administered by the medical school, the Biotechnology Master’s Program emphasizes an interdisciplinary curriculum taught by faculty from the Colleges of Medicine, Engineering, Public Health, Arts and Sciences and Business Administration. That’s because biotechnology crosses the traditional disciplines of biological, chemical, engineering, health and computer sciences, and the strong commercial aspect of the field requires a solid foundation in business and regulatory practices, said Inge Wefes, PhD, director of the Biotechnology Master’s Program.

Biotechnology involves applying the new technologies generated by biological, biomedical and engineering research into drugs devices and services said Dr. Wefes, an assistant professor of molecular medicine. A few examples include the alteration of genes within cells to treat or cure disease, designing organisms to produce antibiotics, harnessing bacteria to turn waste into harmless byproducts, and the use of genetic engineering to increase crop yield and resistance to disease.

“Our master’s degree fills a niche for those students who may not want or be able to commit five years to obtaining a PhD degree,” Dr. Wefes said. “It gives them a broad knowledge of biotechnology, which they can be trained to apply to a company’s specific needs.”

The 36-credit-hour course can be completed within three semesters if students attend full time. In addition to core courses that provide an overview of biochemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics, biotechnology, and the bioethics, business and legal aspects of biotechnology, a graduate seminar exposes students to the latest biotech topics, such as nanobiotechnology, gene therapy and stem cells innovations. Through a series of electives in four categories -- science, engineering, public health and business/law -- students can tailor the graduate program to meet their diverse career needs and interests.

Steve Enkemann, PhD (center), director of the Microarray Core Laboratory at Moffitt Cancer Center, says his biotech job requires an understanding of molecular biology, computer and statistical skills, and creativity.

Bridging academics and business
Outside class, they work on team projects that, for example, may investigate the advances and challenges of personalized medicine – customizing treatment to an individual patient’s genetic profile. Students learn about the licensing, patent protection and new venture formation processes vital to biotechnology innovation. A key requirement of the program is 140-hour-minimum internship that helps bridge the gap between academics and business. They have an opportunity to work in institutions involved in translational research and pharmaceutical and medical device companies across Florida.

“We get them out of the Ivory Tower mindset and into the business and industry environment,” Dr. Wefes said. “The internship helps our students gain real-world experience that makes them more marketable in the biotechnology workforce.”

James Boyas, an account executive for KForce Scientific, a professional staffing firm, said the biotech industry in Central Florida is steadily increasing, and companies prefer to recruit qualified employees locally rather than go through the expense of hiring and relocating incumbents from outside the region or state.

“The USF Master’s Program in Biotechnology provides a thorough cross-section of knowledge that definitely gives students an edge in getting their foot in the door,” said Boyas, who sits on the membership committee for BioFlorida, the statewide bioscience industry association. “A majority of hiring managers are looking, not necessarily for PhDs, but for mid-level candidates with professional maturity, who also have some relevant exposure to their industry, whether it’s biomedical, environmental, agricultural, industrial, clinical or pharmaceutical.”

Elise Dantuma, 24, and Srikanthi Saladi, 27, are among the students enrolled in the pilot class of the USF Biotechnology Master’s Program. They began the program in Fall 2007 and expect to graduate later this year.

Graduate student Srikanthi Saladi plans to combine biotechnology research with her expertise in clinical dentistry.

Saladi, 27, is combining her interest in biotechnology research with her background in clinical dentistry. She practiced as a dentist and held a faculty appointment at Gitam Dental College in Vizag, India, before moving to Tampa in 2006. She wants to help introduce new products and technology into the dental profession to improve oral health and advance maxillofacial surgery. For example, she said, biodontics is a new area of biotech research using stem cells to restore and replace teeth and underlying bone. Dentistry has also begun to tap into nanobiotechnology, Saladi said, investigating the use of “dentirobots” -- miniscule therapeutic particles delivered by toothpaste or mouthwash -- to seek and destroy the plaque that leads to tooth decay and gum disease.

Dantuma, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Central Florida, enjoys the business aspects of biotechnology. Her goal is to eventually start her own biotechnology company or become the CEO of one. “I’d like to manage a medical devices lab, and then eventually the company that develops medical devices to be used for personalized medicine, like genetic profiling chips,” she said. “I’m eager to get out into the field and see how biotech businesses and commercial laboratories operate on a daily basis.”

Experiencing translational research in action
As part of the program, the students have been visiting various nonprofit and for-profit biotechnology sites across the Tampa Bay area. Recently, students toured the Microarray Core Laboratory at Moffitt Cancer Center, where cancer researchers are analyzing and profiling the molecular properties of tumors with the aim of determining which drug or drugs are most effective against which tumor.

“I think biotechnology is where the field of computers was 10 or 20 years ago,” Saladi said. “No one today can envision life before computers, yet the Internet and globalization that resulted from the computer revolution weren’t talked about even a decade ago … Biotechnology offers so many exciting possibilities – the potential to revolutionize health care, environmental protection and agriculture.”

For more information on the USF Biotechnology Master’s Program, visit www.biotech.health.usf.edu or contact biotech@health.usf.edu.

L to R: Inge Wefes, PhD, director of the USF College of Medicine's Master's Biotechnology Program, with Srikanthi Saladi and Elise Dantuma, two students enrolled in the program. Saladi holds a DNA microarray, commonly known as a gene chip.

- Story by Anne DeLotto Baier/USF Health Communications
- Photos by Eric Younghans/USF Health Media Center

AUCTION RESULTS @ bottom of page.

A Picture Worth a Thousand Words...
Med Student's Artwork to Benefit Project World Health

Sitting in front of the oil painting he’s just completed, 26 year old Navid Eghbalieh has a unique way of describing the portrait. There are the delicate curves of the toddler’s face and the piercing eyes looking back from the canvas, but then, there is more. When this second year medical student looks at the painting, he also sees what was going on in his day, his life, as he painted - able to dissect the portrait almost inch by inch.

“I had just gotten off the phone with a loved one who is very sick….” he says, pointing to the shadows on the babe’s left cheek.

Each part of the painting - chin, eyes, cap - has its own story.

It’s been a difficult year for Navid. Special people in his life were diagnosed with life threatening diseases. Add to that, the cross country trips to visit his immediate family in California and the demands of his school work here at the USF College of Medicine. For Navid, painting keeps life in balance.

This particular oil painting, he has created especially for the College of Medicine's Eball on March 1st. It will be auctioned off during the semi-formal dinner & dance. The proceeds will benefit the annual medical mission in the Dominican Republic by Project World Health. Navid plans to be there to witness the auction for himself.

“Watching it get auctioned off…the difficult part is going to be…I really want to help the community as much as I can and I don’t know how much it’s going to sell for,” he says with a nervous smile. “So I’m going to be like ‘Okay, someone bid higher. Please! I know you can go higher than that!’ I really hope that it goes to someone who can appreciate it as much as I do.”

The painting took more than 70 hours from start to finish – an impressive feat when you consider his schedule. “I hate rushing, but I had a big test on Monday,” he explains. “I had a couple of nights when I just said to myself ‘Okay, I have to study for 10 hours. Then, I can paint for 4 hours. Hopefully eat, sleep and do all the other things.’ I had classes…had to work it all in!”

To the delight of his colleagues and faculty at the medical school, he did - producing a painting that not only helps Project World Health, but also speaks volumes about our people.

The med student transferred to USF’s College of Medicine in 2006 after completing his undergraduate work at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA). The immigrant experience – arriving in the U.S. from Iran at age 6 –making an indelible mark on this Persian-Greek. “When we first immigrated, people were very helpful to my family. My parents always said ‘Don’t forget that! Every time you have an opportunity to help someone, remember that you came from a place where you had nothing.’ I guess indirectly – I don’t feel obligated – but I am where I am today, happy, grateful to be alive and all those good things, thanks to the help of others,” he says.

Working his magic with a paint brush & sketching pencils, he gives back.

"Anyone that has crossed paths with Navid knows what a truly special person he is," says Dr. Bryan Bognar, Interim Vice Dean of Educational Affairs for the medical school. "The emotion and beauty displayed in this painting is but one manifestation of his incredible talent, vision, and depth. Students like Navid are what give this college its character. Each day I stand in awe of their willingness to contribute in so many ways."

The portrait to be auctioned on March 1 is not Navid's first created for charity. At UCLA, during a three year period, he produced more than 20 paintings and sketches to benefit charities helping Los Angeles’ homeless community. Asked what he’s named this latest painting, he hesitates. Tilting his head to look at the canvas still drying on the floor, he admits "I’ve been trying to think of a title…honestly, I’ve always had a difficult time naming my pieces…”

A few hours later, visiting via email, a title is born – “In Wait”.

“Adults often hide the emotions that convey fear and sadness,” he explains. Then going back to the painted image of the toddler, he continues “It’s that mix of anxiety and wanting…near hopelessness that, sometimes, only a child can show us…there’s nothing quite so honest…”

“I imagine what it would have taken for this child to pose for the picture. Kids can’t sit still, even clean, well fed ones. It’s easy to imagine this child being hungry, tired... fidgety... moving around so much that his face ended up off-center.”

The child’s face is a second in time, captured on film by Reuters photographer Goran Tomasevic in 2005. Navid saw the image in National Geographic and was moved to paint it. After several months spent tracking down the Reuters photographer, Navid obtained permission from Tomasevic, himself, to reproduce the image on canvas.

A picture worth a thousand words….for sure!

NAVID'S PAINTING RAISED $950!

Post Script: March 5, 2008 / Auction Results.. Navid Eghbalieh has plenty of reasons to celebrate - 950 to be exact. That's how many dollars his oil painting sold for during the auction to benefit Project World Health and its annual missions trip to the Dominican Republic. The painting auctioned on March 1's Eball, was purchased by Tonnie Bognar, wife of Dr. Bryan Bognar, Interim Vice Dean of Educational Affairs, USF College of Medicine. "I can tell you that she was not going to leave the place without that painting!!" said Dr. Bognar, "At one point, I think she was trying to outbid me!!!"

The fundraiser raised just over $6,000. The "In Wait" painting by Navid was a centerpiece of the auction and has become a centerpiece in its new home, the Bognar home, as well. "We grow more attached to it each day. Navid stopped by today to get the painting back from us to get it framed," noted Dr. Bognar.

Story by Lissette Campos, USF Health Communications

Tau neurofibrillary tangles

Feb. 27, 2008 (Tampa, FL) -- The cancer-related protein Akt may profoundly influence the fate of the tau protein, which forms bundles of tangled nerve cell fibers in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease, reports a new study led by researchers at the University of South Florida and the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL.

The study was published online Feb. 21 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

The findings may provide another piece of the puzzle in figuring out how tau proteins can poison nerve cells in the brain.

Akt is known to increase cancer cell survival capability and has become a target in the development of some cancer-inhibitor drugs. The abnormal accumulation of tau protein tangles kills nerve cells and is considered one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.

“This study describes for the first time a new function for the cancer-related protein Akt – one that may help promote Alzheimer’s disease pathology,” said lead author Chad Dickey, PhD, assistant professor of molecular pharmacology and physiology at USF. “We found that increased amounts of Akt may prevent the removal of abnormal proteins, such as tau, causing these proteins to accumulate and disrupt the balance within the cells.”

Chad Dickey, PhD

While this Akt-induced imbalance might result in cancer cells continuing to divide uncontrollably, Dr. Dickey suggests it likely has a different effect in Alzheimer’s disease. “The nerve cells may try to divide in the brain, but cannot, and therefore die,” he said. “Thus regulating levels of Akt, rather than its activity, may be beneficial to sufferers of diseases of aging, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and even diabetes.”

Other USF authors of the study include John Koren, a student at USF, Umesh Jinwal, PhD, and David Morgan, PhD, as well as Jin Cheng, PhD and Mei Sun, PhD, both collaborators from Moffitt Cancer Center. The study was supported by the Alzheimer’s Association, CurePSP, the American Federation for Aging Research and the National Institutes of Health.

- USF Health -

USF Health is dedicated to creating a model of health care based on understanding the full spectrum of health. It includes the University of South Florida’s colleges of medicine, nursing, and public health; the schools of biomedical sciences as well as physical therapy & rehabilitation sciences; and the USF Physicians Group. With $308 million in research funding last year, USF is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of Florida’s top three research universities.

- News release by Anne DeLotto Baier/USF Health Communications

NEXT Lunch N Learn
February 28, 2008
12-1pm (lunch provided)
Location: USF Health campus - Room: MDA 1005
Invited guest: Clement Gwede, PhD, MPH, RN

"Lunch N Learns" are marking the one year anniversary. The creative series, with guest speakers and dynamic question & answer sessions, is organized by the Office of Student Diversity and Enrichment in the USF College of Medicine.
"What commitment! Nine sessions later and USF Health faculty, staff, and students' commitment to diversity continues, said Nazach Rodriguez-Snapp, Program Coordinator, "...committed to learning and growing as individuals, but more importantly, they are committed to improving the quality of life of their patients and community." Since its launch in 2007, the Lunch N Learn have been held Jan-April 2007, Sept-Oct 2007, Jan., Feb. 2008. (On hiatus during summer and winter breaks.)

The Diversity series' February 28th speaker is Clement Gwede, PhD, MPH, RN, Assistant Professor in the Department of Oncologic Sciences, College of Medicine, University of South Florida. Dr. Gwede is also Assistant Director, Office of Institutional Diversity, Moffitt Cancer Center and a member-in-residence in the Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, a division of Cancer Prevention & Control at Moffitt.

The inaugural Lunch N Learn for 2008 was presented by Dr. Susan Vadaparampil, Assistant Professor, in the Department of Oncology Sciences at USF College of Medicine, and Member-in-Residence in the Health Outcomes & Behavior Program at Moffitt Cancer Center. Dr. Vadaparampil is also an adjunct faculty member at USF College of Public Health and adjunct scientist in the Clinical Genetics Branch at the National Cancer Institute. Her presentation on January 24th focussed on genetic counseling and testing for BRCA1/2 mutations among Hispanic Women.

A photograph of the diversity team that launched the Lunch N Learn Series last year. This March 2007 photo was entitled Lunch N Learns "On the Move".
From L to R: Lizzette Calderon, work study student; Nazach Rodriguez-Snapp, Program Coordinator; Seema Rampersad, Academic Specialist; and Suzanne Jackson, Director.

Suzanne Jackson, MPH, Director of Student Diversity & Enrichment, is understandably excited about what lies ahead. "The Lunch & Learn Series expands Diversity from a concept to a vision of an interactive learning process between students, faculty and staff. These one hour sessions continue to create an opportunity for networking, exchanging ideas and learning about all aspects of our differences and similarities."

Jackson and her team say the seminars were created to serve as an extension of the USF Health vision for diversity. They hope the effort will help motivate USF Health faculty, staff, and students to celebrate our diversity, forge connections between people and strengthen understanding "of the human condition".

As in 2007, the Lunch N Learns will be held the 4th Thursday of the month from 12-1pm.

Last March, USF Health's Diversity Workgroup unveiled two large photo murals in the breezeway connecting the College of Medicine to the Moffitt Cancer Center. The murals entitled: “Many Faces One Community. USF Health Celebrates Diversity” were part of the multi-year campaign, including the Lunch N Learn seminars and annual Cultural Fiesta (since 2005).

Currently, USF is ranked 18th in the nation for having an ethnically diverse student body and a diversity friendly campus – ranked by the Princeton Review. "Universities have been and must continue to be institutions that embraces freedom of thought expression, and they must be bastions of intellectual development," says Dr. Marvin "Ted" Williams, Associate Vice President for Diversity & Equal Opportunity, University of South Florida, Associate Dean for Diversity Initiatives, USF College of Medicine, "In order for any University to fulfill this mission, the concepts of diversity and inclusion must be embraced across the length, width and breath of the University community. True diversity provides rich nexus for intellectual and social growth and development for faculty, students, and staff. True diversity and inclusion is an inherent part of quality education."

For more information on Lunch N Learn series, contact the Office of Student Diversity and Enrichment at (813) 974-4707.
 

Newsbrief by Lissette Campos, USF Health Communications

Listen to the interview with Dr. Vesely found on Life Lines, the podcast of The American Physiological Society.

Dr. David Vesely

BETHESDA, Md. (Feb. 27, 2008) -- Hormones produced by the heart eliminated human pancreatic cancer in more than three-quarters of the mice treated with the hormones and eliminated human breast cancer in two-thirds of the mice, according to researcher David Vesely, MD, a physician at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa and the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa.

The treatment has not yet been tried in humans, but a private biotechnology company is raising money in the hope of beginning human trials. Vesely is the hospital’s chief of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism and is a professor of medicine, molecular pharmacology and physiology at USF.

He will present his research at a symposium April 9 at the Experimental Biology 2008 conference in San Diego, CA. The American Federation for Medical Research sponsors the session, which takes place during the annual meeting of The American Physiological Society.

The discovery of cardiac hormones
For more than 350 years, scientists and physicians thought the heart was a pump, delivering blood and oxygen to the body. But that view changed dramatically in 1981 when Adolfo deBold discovered that the heart produces atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), so-named because it is produced in the atrium of the heart and stimulates the production of urine and the excretion of sodium.

Vesely later discovered three more hormones that are produced from the same gene as ANF. He called them:

• Long acting natriuretic peptide, which also stimulates urine production and sodium excretion.
• Vessel dilator which opens the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure
• Kaliuretic peptide which increases potassium excretion

The hormones, called peptide hormones because they are composed of amino acids, help regulate blood volume and blood pressure. Most hormones, including such well-known hormones as insulin, are peptide hormones.

Started with congestive heart failure research
Vesely began his research on cardiac hormones by looking at the role they can play in diagnosing and treating congestive heart failure. Following his wife’s death from breast cancer in 2002 -- and as it became clear that the hormones controlled cell growth -- he decided to place the hormones into cancer cell cultures.

Using colon, ovarian, breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer cells, among others, Vesely found that the hormones kill up to 97 percent of all cancers in cell cultures within 24 hours. He then turned to trials with mice, injecting some with pancreatic cancer cells and others with breast cancer cells. Once the mice developed tumors, he treated them with the hormones.

At the end of one month, the treatment had eliminated cancer in 80 percent of the mice injected with human pancreatic cancer and in 66 percent of the mice injected with breast cancer. The results with pancreatic cancer were particularly exciting, because it is a fast-moving cancer with poor prognosis.

No side effects in mice
The pancreatic cancers that were not cured were reduced to less than 10 percent of their original size. Treatment with vessel dilator gave the best results: reducing the tumor to 2 percent of its largest size. None of the mice died of cancer – all died of old age – and none suffered any side effects.

None of the mice received any other course of treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, and they did not suffer any side effects. After the mice died at the end of a normal life span, the researchers found that the cancer had not spread. If the hormones act the same way in humans, cancer could become a chronic condition treatable with these hormones, Vesely said.

A private biotechnology company is raising money to begin human trials, Vesely said. The Haley hospital and University of South Florida hold the patents on the discoveries.

The symposium that Vesely will moderate, “Cardiac hormones for the treatment of acute myocardial infarctions, congestive heart failure, acute renal failure and cancer,” also features presentations by other leading researchers in the field of cardiac hormones:

John C Burnett, Jr. of the Mayo Clinic and Foundation, will discuss research on the use of a cardiac hormone orally to treat congestive heart failure and to reduce damage to heart tissue.

Walter H. Hörl of the University of Vienna will discuss research measuring the cardiac hormones in guiding treatment of kidney disease and dialysis.

Adolfo J. deBold and Mercedes deBold, of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute will discuss the physiology and gene expression of cardiac hormones and the central role of G-protein signaling in natriuretic peptide secretion.

- News release by Christine Guilfoy/American Physiology Society
- Photo by Eric Younghans/USF Health Media Center

At the University of South Florida, Research Day ’08 came and went but not before setting some new records. In addition to this year’s highly publicized 215 poster presentations, a new record, the USF College of Public Health saw its largest number of student presenters in the event’s 18 year history. Between oral presentation by two of its graduate students and poster presentations, the college showcased 30 student projects.

This year’s poster winners from public health included the following students:

Matt Tucker,
Sheila Mohammed,
Teri Malo
Boubakari Ibrahimou.

At left, Dr. Wilbur Milhous, the College of Public Health's Associate Dean of Research, stands with 2008 winners representing public health.

Graduate students representing the colleges of nursing, public health and medicine were invited to make Research Day’s first ever oral presentations and two of its public health students emerged as winners.

Oral Presentation, COPH Winners:
Brian Vesely, Dept. of Global Health
Cara De la Cruz, Dept. of Community & Family Health

Students were not the only public health stars shinning on February 22nd. COPH Faculty members presenting posters at Research Day 2008 included Dr. Karen Liller, Professor and Associate Dean of Academic & Student Affairs. Dr. Liller collaborated with a colleague from medicine to research sports injuries among adolescents. Their goal is to fully implement and evaluate a Sports Injury Registry for Adolescents to better target prevention and treatment programs.

From L to R: Si-Won Yang, a doctoral student, Dr. Karen Liller and Dr. Jeff Konin.

“This research will allow us to determine the leading causes for sports-related injuries in high school athletes in addition to the determination of exposure data for each sport. This will provide a much better understanding of those sports where we should make an even larger investment in terms of prevention and treatment options”, explained Dr. Liller. “"The development of the Sports Injury Registry for Adolescents is funded by SMART (Sports Medicine and Athletic Related Trauma - Institute) and represents interdisciplinary research that has the potential to involve all the colleges/schools across USF Health.”

Collaborating with COPH’s Dr. Liller were Si-Won Yang, a doctoral student in the College of Public Health & research assistant on this project; and Jeff Konin, PhD, Associate Professor in the medical school's Dept. of Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and Executive Director of SMART Institute.

Experts say the interdisciplinary medical research translates into better health for patients – in this case, adolescents participating in sports. By joining forces, the team of researchers from medicine and public health focused on identifying injury patterns and trends. Ultimately, their data can be used to reduce, treat and prevent sports related injuries - be they significant, severe or even catastrophic.

“Although we share the same goal, to reduce injuries, we approach the task from different angles", said Dr. Konin, "From an athletic training perspective, we are intervening on a daily basis, making a difference in these athletes’ lives. From the public health perspective, we are looking at the cumulative findings that all our athletic trainers are putting together to help us better see the big picture. It helps us to see the impact of what we do on a daily basis and how that can help overall prevent these injuries.”

Other faculty presenting posters at Research Day 2008 were:

Dr. Ellen Daley, Assistant Professor in the COPH Department of Community and Family Health and Principal Investigator for three of the research projects represented. They were: Cognitive and Emotional Responses to HPV in Men (funded by the National Institutes of Health), Women’s Health Collaborative (funded by AHEC), and Florida Cervical Cancer Prevention Project (funded by Merck Pharmaceuticals).

Dr. Francis Ntumngia - Post Doc in the Global Health Infectious Diseases Research team. Project: Genetic Variation among Plasmodium Vivax Primate Isolates and the Implication for Vaccine. This study re-validates primates as good models for human vaccine trials against vivax malaria. (research funded by the National Institutes of Health).

Dr. Joerg Karolat - from the Dept. of Environmental & Occupational Health. Project: Reduced GSH Trafficking in Asthmatic Cells Correlates with High Oxidative Stress. This study took a closer look at asthma. Using a 3D cell culture model, Dr. Karolat and team of researchers investigated the effect of oxidative stress that occurs in normal and asthmatic cells at the air-lung interface.

As with most good news, word of the COPH presentations and winners has traveled fast. A college-wide thank you note was sent by Ellen Kent, MPH, Coordinator of COPH Student Research Grants, ERC Coordinator and AHEC Faculty Coordinator for USF Health Service Corps. Special recognitions went to staff members who worked behind-the-scenes Fabian Saenz, Sarita Mendonka, Tina Mutka, Cindy Bucher and the college's webmaster Chris Bahl. In a culture where mentorship is of high import, the colleges' messages of appreciation have also extended to faculty members who “took the time to come by and encourage students”. In addition to Dr. Milhous and Dr. Liller, other public health mentoring heroes were Dr. Jeannine Coreil, Dr. Julie Baldwin, Dr. Dennis Kyle, Dr. Azliyati Azizan, and Dr. James Sweat.

Public Health Student Presenters were:

Department of Global Health

Susan Lukas,
Roxanna Eftekhari,
Aimee Signarovitz,
Kelly Fitzpatrick
Matthew Tucker.

EPI/BIO: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Boubakari Ibrahimou
Tanmaykumar Patel
Stephanie Kolar
Manoj Agravat

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health

Jennifer Logan,
Giffe Johnson,
Adam Marty,
Sheila Mohammed,
Kristy Siegel,
Monica Gray

Department of Community and Family Health

Euna August,
Heather Blunt,
Karen Dyer,
Malo, Teri,
Lianne Estefan,
Hollie Fuhrmann,
Hannah Helmy,
Abraham Salinas,
Sarah Smith,
Kamilah Thomas,
Cheryl Vamos,
Mariana Arevalo

Karen Dyer, BA, Graduate Student. Project: Ethnic Disparities in Chronic Disease in a County-Level Womens Health Needs Assessment.

In addition, a special section of posters was set up for the COPH’s Sunshine Education and Research Center (ERC) , which provides interdisciplinary training programs in occupational health nursing, medicine, psychology, safety and industrial hygiene. Nine ERC students participated in research day, of which three students received special recognition in their respective colleges.

To view COPH photo gallery click here.

Story by Lissette Campos, USF Health Communications
Photography by Eric Younghans, USF Health Media Center, with candids from Ellen Kent, USF College of Public Health.

Dr. Rony Francois, USF Health alumnus and faculty member, Appointed Assistant Secretary of Louisana DHH Office of Public Health

Baton Rouge, LA (Feb. 20, 2008)-- DHH Secretary Alan Levine announced today the appointment of M. Rony Francois, MD, as Assistant Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Public Health.

Francois, an assistant professor at the University of South Florida Colleges of Public Health and Medicine, previously served as the Secretary of Health for the State of Florida, one of the largest public health agencies in the United States.

Francois has an extensive educational foundation in public health. He holds undergraduate degrees in Physical Education and Biology and has earned master’s degrees in Exercise Physiology and Public Health. In addition, Francois received his doctorate in Environmental Toxicology/Public Health at USF, where he also graduated from medical school.

“Dr. Francois brings a wealth of public health knowledge and expertise to Louisiana, where he will be a great asset to the Department of Health and Hospitals,” said Secretary Levine. “We will be relying on him as we seek to improve prevention methods and make strides toward improving our public health outcomes.”

Dr. Francois will oversee the daily functions of DHH’s Office of Public Health. He will be work closely with programs such as infectious disease reporting, maternal and child health, food, dairy and drug safety, health safety inspections, immunizations, vital records and statistics, access to primary and rural health care, obesity and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and the HIV/AIDS program, as well as
many other programs and services. He will also be responsible for managing the office’s $330-million annual budget and other administrative duties.

Francois, who served as a Presidential delegate to the swearing in of the President of Haiti as well as serving on public health delegations to the Bahamas, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, will begin his appointment by the middle of March.

“Dr. Francois is one of the best public health experts in the United States,” said Secretary Levine. “His depth of knowledge and ability to solve problems will be an asset to Louisiana. We are fortunate he was willing to continue his public service here.”

From 2005 to 2007, Francois served as the Secretary of the Florida Department of Health in Tallahassee. Francois also spent two years as a professional soccer player with the Orlando Lions. He and his wife, Joelle, have three children, Rony, Patrick and Joelle Anne.

Graduate Student Oral Presentations:

Congratulations to the following five USF Health PhD graduate students who delivered Research Day's first ever oral presentations. They were chosen by faculty committees from among approx. 60 PhD graduate student abstracts.

Nicole Anderson, USF College of Medicine
Karen Corbin, USF College of Medicine
Cara de la Cruz, USF College of Public Health
William Kong, USF College of Medicine
Brian Vesely, USF College of Public Health

USF Health Vice President’s Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Oral Presentation:

2008 Winnner: Karen Corbin, USF College of Medicine

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

Watson Clinic 4th year Med Student Award Winner:

Paul Toomey

Outstanding Medical Student Poster Award Winners:

Adam Guyer
David Sallman

Medical Residents - Outstanding Poster Award Winners:

Sam Al-Saadi
Jonathan Dreier
Sateesh Prakash
Drew Rideout

Graduate Students- Outstanding Interdisciplinary Poster Award Winners:

Jose Abisambra
M. Jason Highsmith
Nicole Jagusztyn
Lori Lebson
Thomas Lendrihas
Sarah Norring
Emily Shaffer
Shawna Shirley

Postdoctoral Fellows - Outstanding Poster Award Winners:

Daniel Lee
Jia-Wang Wang
Yingtao Zhang

COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Outstanding Poster Award Winners:

Boubakari Ibrahimou
Teri Malo
Sheila Mohammed
Matthew Tucker

COLLEGE OF NURSING

Outstanding Poster Award Winner:

Toni Dobson

Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society Outstanding Poster Award Winners:

Toni Dobson
Mary Gallant-Roman

USF UNDERGRADUATES

Outstanding Undergraduate Poster Award recipients:

Delaura Patel
Seungjoo Park (Co- presented with Lauren Scaglione)
Opal Raj
Lauren Scaglione (Co- presented with Seungjoo Park)
Andrea Schlunk
Jeremy Yesudas (Co-presented with Nikki Vyas and Scott Moradian)

Future PPT

Feb. 25 - March 2 Nursing Student Week in Florida

In a strategic move to raise awareness about Florida’s growing need for more nurses, Governor Charlie Crist is shining the spotlight on nursing students and the need for more of them! Florida’s governor has declared February 25 - March 2 “Nursing Students Week”. It’s a week when citizens will, no doubt, hear more about advances in life-sustaining technology, how that technology is driving the need for more nurses, and how the growing sector of home health services has created nursing jobs nationwide.

Here at home, the USF College of Nursing has plenty of reasons to shine in this spotlight. U.S. News & World Report moved their Master’s Program in Nursing up 43 spots on its national ranking list in April 2007. The nursing school’s web-based instruction, better known as e-learning, is ranked third in the nation – with larger enrollments for its graduate nursing program than 70 other schools across the U.S.

Dean Patricia Burns, USF College of Nursing

“As the Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of South Florida, I see young women and men follow their dreams everyday as they embark on a path to a successful and fulfilling career in the ever-expanding world of healthcare”, says Patricia Burns, PhD, RN, FAAN.

“When I was a student considering my own future in healthcare, my dreams and goals were – and still are – the same as those who have chosen to pursue their education and careers in nursing at USF today. Nursing is my life”, says Dean Burns.

It’s that level of passion that has helped to create a student life here that is unique and intense. At USF, nursing students don’t just share classrooms with the best and brightest of applicants; they travel the world soaking in new learning opportunities – from the mountains of Panama to the villages of Africa. Here, students have the advantage of learning patient care in “real-time”. For example, their pediatrics and obstetrics lessons include a birthing simulator, where nursing students work with a computerized mannequin that simulates labor & delivery. This hands-on experience is even peppered with a variety of complications for students to grapple with and learn from.

Virtual Simulation & Clinical Experiences Lab, USF College of Nursing: Take a closer look at the photo. The patient is a life-like mannequin in full labor!

“Students learn to think on their feet…”, says Laura Gonzalez, RN, MSN, ARNP, Director of the Virtual Simulation & Clinical Experience lab at the USF College of Nursing. “Memory and retention are clearer with simulation”, notes Fred Slone, MD, and expert in disaster management and bioterrorism training, and Asst. Professor in nursing. “The feelings that they’ve ‘been in the situation’…unless you’ve practiced it and done it, you don’t have that.”

The college’s Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Director of Global Health provides another slice of the student life pie here. Sandra V. Cadena, PhD, ARNP, is now on her second year traveling with USF nursing students to the Universidad de Panama in Central America. “From an educator’s perspective, it’s interesting to watch the growing pride our students feel for their profession. They can make an incredible difference in peoples’ lives, no matter what corner of the world they choose to nurse in”, says Dr. Cadena, who notes that students come back with a greater understanding and sensitivity to cultural differences in healthcare. “I think the immersion can increase a student’s awareness of his/her own cultural identity and, in turn, helps make them more sensitive to a growing culturally diverse patient population in our own country”, she adds.

Dr. Sandra Cadena, at far right, travelled to the Universidad de Panama with a delegation of students from USF's nursing school in May and June 2007. This marks the second year of the exchange program. For full story: Postcards from Panama.

For post-graduate nursing students like Afriyie Johnson, the college has allowed her to fulfill many a dream. Last year she travelled to Accra, Ghana in Africa as part of her evidence based project for her Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree. This summer she will return to help Valley View University in Africa shape its curriculum to meet the requirements for its nursing program to obtain accreditation for a Bachelor of Science. “It was a lot of work”, says Johnson, “…it was certainly rewarding and I hope to be involved in more such endeavors as it will hopefully further bring nursing education and care, all over the world, to similar standards.”

At right, USF's Afriyie Johnson with Mrs. Felicia Darkwah, a nurse and midwife who spearheaded the nursing program at Valley View University in Ghana - Africa. For full story click here.

At the USF College of Nursing when the dean talks about “walking in her shoes” she’s not joking. In a unique exercise with students across USF Health, 4 year nursing student Anna Pate was Dean for a day on Sept. 21, 2007. No, she didn’t wear Dean Burns’ shoes, but she did get a philosophical and practical taste of what life is like in the driver’s seat of a nursing industry leader.

“I think our college is unique because they motivate and encourage us to seek the best opportunities that nursing has to offer”, says Pate during her interview post dean-ship, “…pushing us to dive into intensive care areas, and offer fabulous opportunities such as Dean for a Day that I was part of, to see the variety of places that nurses can go! Being able to see the administrative aspect of nursing through Dean for a Day is just one of the many opportunities USF CON offers to broaden the horizons of its students and the future nurses of the community.”

Anna Pate - Nursing school's "Dean for a Day"

It’s exactly the type of learning the college is after – determined not to just graduate a cadre of new nursing graduates each year, but to grow the type of nursing graduates who stay in the profession and become leaders in this ever changing industry.

“I see veteran healthcare professionals returning to the USF College of Nursing to further their educations, and ultimately their career”, says Dean Burns. “Leading all of them is a group of talented educators who generously share their knowledge, experience and support. To all of these remarkable people, nursing is more than a job. It is their life. These bright individuals are dedicated every dat to the art & science of nursing because within them lies the inherent desire to help, to health, to nurture, to explore.”

Story by Lissette Campos, USF Health Communications
Photography by Eric Younghans & Luis Battistini