www.med.wayne.edu Fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 4

WSU endorses Cook County model for regional accountability in health careWayne State University physicians and administrators are trying to overcome Detroit’shealth care crisis by following the example of others, particularly Patricia Terrell, formerdeputy director of the Cook County Bureau of Health Services who helped lead a 14-yearmarch that brought order to the Chicago/Cook County health system.

Cancer inhibitor provides irreversible certaintyA novel synthetic “suicide” inhibitor that blocks enzyme activity associated with cancer development is under development by Rafael Fridman, Ph.D., who was awarded$1.8 million from the National Cancer Institute to design MT1-MMP inhibitors and to test them in cellular systems.

Functional foods eat away cancer riskIf broccoli, cauliflower and soybeans aren’t on your favorite food list—add them now. Fazlul Sarkar, Ph.D., is collecting further evidence that functional foods with genistein, soy isoflavones and indole-3-carbinol offer significant protection against cancer.

Hormones linked to MS incidence, severityHormones may be to blame for putting women at higher risk for multiple sclerosis (MS)and for making symptoms more severe. With funding from the National Multiple SclerosisSociety, Robert Skoff, Ph.D., is studying how different estrogens and androgens affect theturnover of myelin proteins and oligodendrocytes.

Video to increase awareness of clinical trialsViewing an educational video about cancer clinical trials may increase a patient’s willingness to participate in them, said Wei Du, Ph.D., who believes many people don’t realize clinical trials are an option.

Internet has doctors asking: What are your symptoms and what’s your URL?With greater and greater frequency, people are using the Internet to obtain health information. What’s more important is that, in general, they understand the informationand trust it, according to Thomas Roe, M.D.

Milk compounds may have cancer - protective qualitiesMilk builds bones, of course, but new evidence shows that the lipids found in milk may also prevent breast, colon, and other types of cancer. Natural compounds called sphingolipids (found especially in soybeans and dairy products) can regulate processesthat are deregulated in cancer, namely cell growth and cell death, said Eva Schmelz, Ph.D.

Cover scientist three times over — Dr. David LawsonDavid Lawson, Ph.D., makes sure research animals get good care and does studies toensure solid federal regulations for animal investigation. His work graced the front of the June 2002, September 2002 and January 2003 issues of Contemporary Topics inLaboratory Animal Science.

Urban seniors suffer premature death Seniors and adults who live in Michigan’s largest urban cities are dying early with poorhealth status measures and significantly high mortality rates. “People are literally dyingbefore their time, and we can calculate their risk based simply on where they live,” saidLee Kallenbach, Ph.D.

Three papers highlight successful collaboration between WSU and Generex BiotechnologyGenerex Biotechnology Corporation celebrated the publication of three papers by Gilda Hillman, Ph.D., highlighting the development progress of a novel genetic cancer vaccine that suppresses the expression of the Ii protein in tumors.

Minority scholars show their workCongratulations to the winners of the sixth annual Wayne State University Minority Programs Research Day held in August.

Medical student mentoring program teaches between the linesMedical students have academic advisors, professors and counselors, but a mentor fills a special role. Confirming students’ zeal for the new program, the medical school’sOffice of Student Affairs received more than 700 requests for mentors and 50 volunteeracceptances from faculty members.

Summer programs educate minority and disadvantaged studentsSummer programs at the School of Medicine offer experience in science enrichment and clinical care through the Minority High School Science Education Program (MHSSEP)and the OHEP Scholars Program—both designed to create opportunities for minority anddisadvantaged students.

Dr. Manuel Tancer to chair psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences

Dr. Andrew Turrisi to chair radiation oncology

Health care heroes recognized by Crain’sCrain’s Detroit Business honored three Wayne State faculty members as part of its “Health Care Heroes” feature. The honorees are: Isaac Powell, M.D., professor of urology; Robert Frank, M.D, associate dean for academic and student programs; and Eli Goldberg, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics.

Class of 2007Click here to see a full listing of the newest class of medical students at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Letter from the dean

Honors

Notes

Rounds

Continuing medical education

In MemoryStephen Lerman, Ph.D., Henry Orbach and Fanniedell Peeples

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www.med.wayne.edu Fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 4

WSU Endorses Cook County Model for Regional Accountability in Health Care

Health care leadersaround Detroit arelearning difficult les-sons. As WayneState University

physicians and Detroit MedicalCenter administrators struggle tomeet the health care needs of unin-sured patients, they are heedingthe advice of others in parallel sit-uations.

Building the safety net for unin-sured populations is a “communityproblem. By relegating it to hospi-tals, you’re making it a hospitalproblem,” said Patricia Terrell, for-mer deputy director of the CookCounty Bureau of Health Serviceswho is now a principal in HealthManagement Associates. Terrellhelped lead a 14-year march thatbrought order to the Chicago/CookCounty health crisis.

If you can believe it, Terrell’s sit-uation may have been even worsethan the one in Detroit and WayneCounty. Before 1991, she said, theyhad no bureau of health services, adisaccredited Cook CountyHospital and 76 medical schoolaffiliations. Now, they have onesystem to oversee all health facili-ties and programs, a new county

Inside

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2 4 8MMP Blockers and Functional Foods Fight Cancer

Hormones Linked to MS Incidence

Tancer and Turrisi Take Chair Positions

Your Alumni Connection, page 17

note

salum

hospital, and one majormedical school affiliationfor which physicianswrote every word of theagreement.

Terrell spoke this summer to health careleaders from WSU and Michigan GovernorJennifer Granholm’sDetroit Health CareStabilization Workgroupabout the evolution of theCook County Bureau ofHealth Services, as well asits challenges and suc-cesses.

In analyzing the DetroitMedical Center’s financialand health care crisis, sherecognized that “institu-tional survival must beaddressed, but thebroader goal of meetingthe health care needs of acommunity must drive theprocess.” She pointed outthat Wayne County and Detroit areperhaps the largest county and cityin this country without a publichospital or hospital authority tocare for its under- and uninsuredcitizens. Her proposed solution

involves consolidated services, asingle oversight system, a flagshipfacility with networks of primaryand specialty clinics, and a com-munity commitment to the issue.

Detroit is one of the only urban

counties with no commu-nity money going tohealth care, she said. Thecommunity needs to putmoney into this. Sheacknowledged that theeconomics are a difficultcomponent of the healthcare delivery system, butthe Cook County teammet the challenge andfound creative ways tomaximize federal dollars,expand Medicaid cover-age, increase revenue,lower costs and ensurefinancial stability.

“We could only sell thenew hospital system oneconomics, not altruism.We tried,” she said. “In1996 we began seekingintense partnerships withprivate hospitals in orderto identify areas of collab-oration and to spread outthe pain more equitably.”

She said to get private investmentin the public health care system,both parties must gain demonstra-ble value. “Altruism is not enough.”

Terrell also stressed the impor-tance of an integrated academic

affiliation that allows a publichealth care system to be groundedin research and education. WSUleaders are studying the CookCounty model to find ways toachieve positive patient outcomesand to improve the overall healthstatus of the region.

Finally, Terrell stressed, “Hospitalbeds and clinics don’t treatpatients, doctors do. Health systemreform is about leadership, leader-ship, leadership.”

Terrell’s presentation to the WSUSchool of Medicine can be heard inits entirety by accessing thestreaming media/special eventssection of the Webpage. Please linkto www.med.wayne.edu for moreinformation. ■

Consultant Patricia Terrell said new public health care systems

are sold and accepted on the basis of economics, not altruism.

2 Fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 4

Letter from the Dean

Iam pleased to report that theWayne State UniversitySchool of Medicine has beenengaged in critical planningand is a major force in the

Detroit Health Care StabilizationWorkgroup. On July 30, the workgroup presented MichiganGovernor Jennifer Granholm withits report, “Strengthening theSafety Net in Detroit and WayneCounty.” The report recommendsprovisions for the development of asustainable health system for vul-nerable populations.

As the Wayne State Universityrepresentative to that workgroup, Iam endorsing plans that improveour health care delivery systemwhile maintaining an academicmission. Traditionally, academicmedical centers are called upon tobear the burden of unreimbursedcare for under- and uninsured citi-zens. It stands to reason that aca-demic physicians—the very peoplewho provide that care—should playa pivotal role in ensuring a reliableinfrastructure and positive out-comes for the health of our region.Wayne State University physicianshave used their own experience tovoice concerns and will participatein the process of building the bestmodel system for the citizens ofgreater Detroit.

A new Detroit-Wayne CountyHealth Authority is in its formativestages now and more detailedplans are expected to beannounced by the end of 2003. Ibelieve this unified authority willbenefit the people of Detroit byimproving access to care withoutcompromising quality.

During these difficult financialtimes, the community has come tounderstand that good public health

programs are best designedthrough collaborative efforts thatinclude the state, city and county--not just the hospital leaders.Community health is a regionalissue that demands regional repre-sentation and the problem requiresa long-term solution, not a quick fix.

To learn more about our group’srecommendations and ongoingprogress, visit www.michigan.gov/mdch regularly.

We look forward to the establish-ment of a creative delivery systemthat meets the needs of all citizens.And as always, Wayne StateUniversity physicians will continueto provide a foundation of excel-lence and quality health care wher-ever we are needed.

Sincerely,

John Crissman, M.D.Dean, Wayne State UniversitySchool of Medicine

The fate of canceroustumor cells is certainwhen they fail to gettheir fill of MMPenzymes (matrix metal-

loproteinase). If the enzymes don’tbond to the cell’s surface, they will die.

For at least the past decade,Rafael Fridman, Ph.D., has studiedhow tumor cells use MMPenzymes to invade and metasta-size to healthy cells. Until now, hisideas about inhibiting cancergrowth by blocking MMPs hadserious limitations, because thetargeted processes were reversibleand unreliable.

Then, Dr. Fridman established aproductive collaboration with Dr.Shahriar Mobashery, a proteinchemist and a former faculty in theDepartment of Chemistry at WayneState University and now at theUniversity of Notre Dame. Dr.Mobashery designed and synthe-sized the first synthetic inhibitorthat binds irreversibly to MMPsresulting in specific and completeinhibition of enzymatic activity.Because these inhibitors are irre-versible, they are commonlyknown as “suicide” inhibitors.

Dr. Rafel Fridman helped design a novel synthetic “suicide” inhibitor that blocks enzyme activity associated with cancer development.

Cancer Inhibitor Provides Irreversible Certainty

Also, because of their selectivity,they lack the side effects of broad-spectrum reversible MMPinhibitors, which failed in clinicaltrials. This approach to MMP inhi-bition was never tested before andthere is where the unique collabo-ration between Drs. Mobasheryand Fridman flourished.

Working together side by side,they tested dozens of compoundsuntil they discovered the bestinhibitor, which successfully andspecifically blocked MMP-2 andMMP-9, two key gelatinases in theMMP family. Dr. Fridman hopesthat a similar approach could dothe same for MT1-MMP, a mem-brane-bound MMP that is criticalfor the growth and migration oftumor cells in collagen matrices.Using biochemical and cellularapproaches, Dr. Fridman showedthat the broad-spectrum reversibleMMP inhibitors produced unex-pected effects on the regulation ofMT1-MMP. In fact, these inhibitorsenhanced the activity of MT1-MMP by inhibiting the naturalautocatalytic turnover of theenzyme on the cell surface. Dr.Fridman hypothesized that thismay be one of the reasons why the

broad-spectrum MMP inhibitorsfailed in clinical studies. Therefore,he proposed that the innovativeapproach to MMP inhibition devel-oped by Dr. Mobashery could beused to specifically target MT1-MMP and if so a “suicide” MT1-MMP inhibitor could be used toblock cancer development.

This idea was recognized by theNational Cancer Institute, whichawarded Dr. Fridman (with Dr.Mobashery as the co-investigator)$1.8 million over the next fouryears to design new MT1-MMPinhibitors and to test them in cel-lular systems.

Dr. Fridman, professor of pathol-ogy, has had uninterrupted fund-ing on this and related work since1993 and is among the top 15 mosthighly-funded researchers at theWSU School of Medicine. His com-prehensive and multidisciplinaryapproach to tumor cell invasionand metastasis has earned him awealth of collaborators and co-investigators, such as Drs.Mobashery, Dr. Kim and Dr. Cher,who help him pursue anti-cancertargets with a chemical, biochemi-cal and biological approach. ■

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If broccoli, cauliflower andsoybeans aren’t on yourfavorite food list—add themnow. Fazlul Sarkar, Ph.D., iscollecting further evidence

that these functional foods offersignificant protection against cancer.

If you are at risk for breast orprostate cancer (hormone-depend-ent cancers), throw some tofu ormiso soup in your lunchbox andenjoy the health benefits of genis-tein and soy isoflavones. Follow itup with a dinner of brassica veg-etables like cabbage, broccoli orBrussels sprouts to increase yourindole-3-carbinol intake.

Over the past several years, Dr.Sarkar, professor of pathology atWayne State University and theBarbara Ann Karmanos CancerInstitute, has received patents,published scientific discoveriesand made remarkable findingsabout oncogenes, tumor suppres-sor genes and protein moleculesrelated to cancer growth and devel-opment. He is cited often for show-ing that dietary factors play impor-tant roles in the etiology and pre-vention of cancer by inhibiting cellproliferation, inducing apoptosisand moderating critical moleculesand mechanisms.

Recently, Dr. Sarkar was awardedthree research grants totalingmore than $3.2 million to continuehis work investigating dietaryinterventions in the preventionand treatment of cancer.

• With $1.25 million from theNational Cancer Institute, he and his colleagues are elucidating the role of the soyisoflavone, genistein, inprostate cancer through labora-tory investigations. Additionalfunding from the NationalInstitutes of Health is beingused to conduct clinical trials todetermine the effects of soyisoflavones in prostate cancertreatment and/or prevention.

Functional Foods Eat Away Cancer Risk

Pancreatic cancer is adifficult disease todetect and it has oneof the worst mediansurvival periods

compared to any cancer: just 3to 6 months.

Dr. Fazlul Sarkar’s recent $1.5 million National CancerInstitute award to study pancre-atic cancer is the first in WayneState University’s history. Thedisease is typically understud-ied, said Dr. Sarkar, and it isoften called a “silent killer”because its non-specific symp-toms are hard to pinpoint: lossof appetite, abdominal discom-fort and nausea.

The research team, with co-

This work is conducted in col-laboration with Dr. Omer Kucukand other physicians at theKarmanos Cancer Institute.

• With more than $500,000 fromthe United States Department ofDefense, Dr. Sarkar will studythe effects of indole-3-carbinol(I3C) on prostate cancer. I3C isa compound found in brassicavegetables (mentioned above)that induces apoptosis in can-cer cells through its conversionto 3,3’-diinolylmethane.

• A recent $500,000 from sub-contracts from the University

University’s First PancreasCancer Research GrantAwarded to Dr. Sarkar

of Texas M.D. Anderson CancerCenter SPORE (SpecializedProgram for ResearchExcellence) in PancreaticCancer grant will help deter-mine the therapeutic values ofsoy isoflavone/genistein for thetreatment and/or prevention ofpancreas cancer metastasis.

Dietary interventions are asmart way to protect against dis-ease, said Dr. Sarkar. “You can’toverdose, you don’t need a pre-scription, and except for rare foodallergies, they are safe for every-body.” ■

investigators Ramzi Mohammad,Ph.D., and Adhip Majumdar,Ph.D., will study the effects ofnovel agents on over-expressionof epidermal growth factor recep-tor (EGFR) that leads to activa-tion of Akt and NF-kB signalingpathways, which have been iden-tified as potential therapeutictargets.

In addition, Dr. Sarkar receivedMichigan Life Sciences Corridor(MLSC) funding through a sub-contract from the University ofMichigan to establish serum bio-markers using a proteomicapproach in mouse models. Thiswill help test the effectiveness ofradiation and chemotherapy onpancreas cancer.

Vegetables and soybeans really are good for you, says Dr. Fazlul Sarkar who is studying

cancer prevention diets.

4 Fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 4

Wayne StateresearcherRobert Skoff,Ph.D., says hor-mones may be to

blame for putting women at higherrisk for multiple sclerosis (MS) andfor making symptoms more severe.Knowing that the incidence of MSis twice as high in females than inmales, Dr. Skoff and his graduatestudent Dr. Mirela Cerghetexplored a hunch after looking atbrains of males and females.

Initially, Dr. Skoff thought theremight be differences in the brainsof males and females especially inregard to oligodendrocytes, thesupporting cells that ensheathwith myelin the axons of nerves.Without these cells, axons do notconduct electrical impulses prop-erly, and this causes the symptomsof the human disease multiplesclerosis. Differences in the physi-ology of oligodendrocytes anddegradation of myelin could be fac-tors that initiate MS; however,nobody has bothered to look at dif-ferences in male and female brainglial cells.

Drs. Skoff and Cerghet firstobserved that the number of oligo-dendrocytes is increased 20 to 40percent in rodent brains of malescompared to females within thesame amount of tissue. But sur-prisingly, the proliferation of cellsthat make new oligodendrocytesand the death of myelin formingoligodendrocytes is increased in

Hormones Linked to MS Incidence, Severityfemales. This unexpected findingmeans that oligodendrocytes andmyelin turn over faster in femalebrains than in male brains.

His group went on to investigatewhether myelin itself turned overfaster, and they found that pro-teases involved in degradingmyelin were increased in femalebrains. This finding is importantbecause release of myelin frag-ments might in the right circum-stances cause an autoimmuneresponse which leads to an attack

on myelin. Hormones are clearlyinvolved in this regulation becausewhen males are castrated, theirbrains assume the properties offemale brains. Instead of a slowturnover of oligodendrocytes andmyelin in male brains, they nowturnover just as fast as in femalebrains.

With a $469,000 award from theNational Multiple SclerosisSociety, Dr. Skoff, professor ofanatomy and cell biology, is pursu-ing these observations and focus-

Drs. Robert Skoff and Mirela Cerghet are looking at the amount of estrogen in male and female brains.

The MS Society is quite excited about this work.

ing upon how different estrogensand androgens affect the turnoverof myelin proteins and oligoden-drocytes. He is comparing the lev-els of different hormones in maleand female brains, a very straight-forward study, but one that has notbeen done. These differences inbrain function can then be relatedand studied in animal models thatmimic MS.

“Hormones are powerful sub-stances that can trigger many bio-logical events, not just in repro-

ductive organs, but in many tis-sues including the brain,” Dr. Skoffsaid. “Since men and women obvi-ously have different levels of hor-mones, the brain is a logical placeto start exploring differences indisease incidence.”

Interestingly, women with MSreport fewer symptoms while theyare pregnant. Estriol, one of theestrogens under investigation,soars sharply in the latter half ofpregnancy. Estriol seems to be pro-tective in multiple sclerosis andmay have a significant impact inmodulating the progression of thedisease.

Related to oligodendrocytedeath, Dr. Skoff’s major researchemphasis is understanding thefunction of a myelin protein, prote-olipid protein, in the induction ofoligodendrocyte death. He hasfunding for this line of work fromthe National Multiple SclerosisSociety and the National Institutesof Health. There may even be alink between hormonal levels andabnormal proteolipid protein lev-els, and then we would have amechanism that could explain howhormones affect cell death in thebrain.

“Scientists really have notthought much about differencesbetween the sexes when it comesto studying glial cells,” Dr. Skoffsaid. “There is a lot of basic workon the brain that needs to be done,and then we can relate this tohuman diseases like MS.” ■

Researchers are con-stantly looking forways to increasepatient participationin clinical trials in

order to advance medicine. Thetrouble is, when faced with a majorillness, most patients stick to moreassured treatments, and few knowthat trials are an option. Thisleaves the scientific community ina bind: the only real way to makedefinitive progress is to rely on

Video to Increase Awareness of Clinical Trialsaltruistic patients when they feelmost vulnerable.

A potential solution to the prob-lem may be a simple video, accord-ing to Wei Du, Ph.D., associate pro-fessor of pediatrics. Dr. Du saysthat fear and lack of knowledge arethe major barriers to research trialparticipation, but that can be over-come by educational tools andinterventions. With funding fromthe Susan B. Komen Foundationand the National Cancer Institute,

she is testing the usefulness of avideo to educate patients aboutcancer clinical trials and increasetheir willingness to participate.

New breast and lung cancerpatients at the Karmanos CancerInstitute will view a 19-minutevideo about the value of researchtrials. They will also be asked tocomplete a questionnaire to meas-ure their knowledge and attitudesabout clinical trials before and afterthey view the video. Results will be

compared for the control groupand the test group to see if videoviewers are more likely to takepart. Approximately 500 peoplewill be part of these combinedstudies, and Dr. Du says no matterwhat the results show about par-ticipation, the more people whounderstand the importance of sci-entific research, the better.

As it stands, only 5 percent ofnew cancer patients participate inclinical trials nationwide, and

African-American representationis disproportionately low. Becausethe Karmanos Cancer Instituteserves a large African-Americanpopulation, we have the uniqueadvantage to study this problem.“We don’t know exactly why, butone thing is very obvious: mostpatients have never consideredresearch trials as an option, andmost have no sense of how theywork,” Dr. Du said. Diverse partici-pation is critical to ensure that

5Fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 4

With greater andgreater fre-quency, peopleare using theInternet to

obtain health information. What’smore important is that, in general,they understand the informationand trust it.

According to Thomas Roe, M.D.,this is not necessarily good newsor bad news for doctors—but it’scritical to understanding theirpatients’ frame of reference.Furthermore, it’s an opportunityfor physicians to reach patients innew ways and to open lines ofcommunication.

Dr. Roe, an assistant professor inthe Department of FamilyMedicine, provides primary careat the University FamilyPhysicians Detroit office. It wasclear to him that his patients wereusing the Internet for medicalinformation, but he wanted toknow how and to what extent. Heobtained a small grant from theMichigan Consortium for FamilyPractice Research and workedwith MetroNet, a Detroit-areapractice-based research networkcoordinated by the Division ofPractice-Based Research of the

Internet Has Doctors Asking: What are YourSymptoms and What’s Your URL?

WSU Department of FamilyMedicine, to survey approximately1300 patients at 13 family-practicesites participating in the network.

He learned that 65.5 percent ofthose surveyed used the Internet,and 74 percent of those users hadsearched for health information.Interestingly, 75.5 percent ofhealth information seekers foundthe information understandableand 55.8 percent said they “mostlytrusted” it. Furthermore, with 60percent of searchers saying thatthey discuss Internet informationwith their physicians sometimesor at almost every visit, Dr. Roerealized that he and his colleaguesneed to be familiar with what theirpatients are reading.

“Physicians should acknowledgethis usage, discuss the informationobtained, and consider recom-mending specific Internetresources to patients,” Dr. Roesaid. “If people are searching forinformation, we should point themto reliable sites. Looking towardthe future, a large majority of peo-ple also expressed interest inusing email to communicate withtheir doctors, to refill prescrip-tions, to make appointments and toreceive health information.”

Dr. Roe says patients in his family practice are always approaching him about the validity of health information they find on the Internet.

Dr. Roe will be presenting thestudy findings at the annual meet-ing of the North American PrimaryCare Research Group when itmeets in Canada this October. Hewill discuss with attendees patientInternet use as it relates to their

practice. “I think other physiciansand health care professionals real-ize that if we are to serve thepatient effectively, we need to con-sider these points. Perhaps noteverybody is ready for a change inthe system, but there is certainly a

wide audience looking for concise,reliable, convenient health infor-mation for their families. Weshould help provide it in appropri-ate ways.” ■

Gathered in the Karmanos Education and Resource Center where patients can watch video tapes and learn more about clinical trials

are project leaders Dr. Wei Du (center) with Silva Lalo (project coordinator), Jacqueline Balon and Dr. Michael Simon.

clinical trial results are applicableacross all racial groups.

“Development of newer and moreeffective cancer treatments canonly be achieved through carefullyconducted clinical trials,” Dr. Dusaid. “Low participation lengthensa trial’s duration and delays thedelivery of potentially life-savingtreatment to cancer patients. Thefaster we can validate new treat-ments, the more lives we save.”

Videos will be available through

the Karmanos Cancer Instituteresource center and patients areencouraged to share them withothers. ■

6 Fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 4

Milk builds bones,of course, butnew evidenceshows that thelipids found in

milk may also prevent breast,colon, and other types of cancer.

According to Eva Schmelz, Ph.D.,sphingolipids are natural com-pounds found in all cells and insome foods, but they are particu-larly rich in soybeans and dairyproducts like milk and cheese.These lipids regulate processesthat are deregulated in cancer,namely cell growth and cell death.

Dr. Schmelz found that labora-tory mice who had diets rich insphingolipids reduced colon tumorformation by 40 to 70 percent with-out any apparent side effects. Thismay be due to the incompletedigestion of the complex sphin-golipids and the limited release ofthe toxic metabolites, she said.Although certain sphingolipidmetabolites are toxic to cells atvery high concentrations, dietaryconsumption of them causes notoxic side effects. Incidentally, thediets used by the mice mimickedsphingolipid concentrations thatcould easily be achieved inhumans.

“We were interested to see if thedelivery of sphingolipids to cancer

Milk Compounds May Have Cancer-Protective Qualitiescells could reverse the aberrantbehavior of the cells, and preventtumor formation,” Dr. Schmelzsaid. “The easiest way to deliverthe bioactive sphingolipid metabo-lites ceramide and sphingosine tothe cancer cells is via the dietbecause dietary complex sphin-golipids are digested to exactlythose metabolites. They help regulatesignaling pathways related to cancercell growth and differentiation.”

The laboratory’s in vitro studiesshowed that breast cancer cells arealso sensitive to these metaboliteswhile normal cells are ratherresistant. “There is only a smallportion of sphingolipid metabolitesreaching circulation, and it wouldbe interesting to determine if thesesmall amounts can prevent canceralso in other sites of the body.Several epidemiological studiesindicated a negative correlationbetween milk consumption andbreast cancer -- and milk is rich insphingolipids,” she said.

Dr. Schmelz and her researchteam are investigating the mecha-nism of this tumor suppressionwith a two-year National Institutesof Health grant. A secondary armof the research project is to evaluatewhether low doses of sphingolipidsthat are not toxic by themselvessensitize cells to conventional

chemopreventive and chemothera-peutic agents and thereby couldlower the necessary dose of thesedrugs and the toxic side effects.

“Basically, what we want to

Dr. Schmelz found that mice with dairy and soybean-rich diets substantially reduced their incidence of colon cancer.

achieve is to establish sphin-golipids as a non-toxic alternativeto conventional chemopreventivedrugs,” Dr. Schmelz said. ■

Although David Lawsonwon’t admit it wasanything special, veryfew researchers findtheir work on the

cover of one journal three times inseven months. Lawson’s workgraced the front of the June 2002,September 2002 and January2003 issues of ContemporaryTopics in Laboratory AnimalScience.

“It just happened like that,” saidLawson, Ph.D., professor of physi-ology. “We finished several studiesin a bunch, and so we submittedthe papers together. When the

Cover Scientist Three Times Over—Dr. David Lawsonpeople at the journal saw that theyhad a couple of papers accepted fora particular issue, they asked us tosubmit the information for theircovers.”

One aspect of his research tack-les questions of whether federalregulations covering the care anduse of laboratory animals, particu-larly rats, are actually supported bydata. “For about 15 years, I was thechairman of the University AnimalInvestigation Committee, which isa federally required unit thatreviews all the experimental ani-mal procedures done on the uni-versity campus. Out of that experi-

ence, I came to the conclusion thatsome of these federal regulationsdidn’t seem to have any basis indata,” he said. “So we started doingstudies to see if we could at leastcome up with data that would con-firm the regulation or may helpalter the regulation somehow.”

His studies focus exclusively onrats, which are one of the primaryspecies used in research. Usingradiotelemetry equipment, he andhis research group are able to con-tinuously monitor the blood pres-sure and heart rate of rats, changesin which can be used as indirectmeasures of stress. They are par-

ticularly interested in whether ornot stress is associated with a vari-ety of common and heavily usedexperimental procedures.

Besides reviewing potentiallystressful procedures, Lawson’sgroup uses the data to evaluatewhich laboratory practices coulddiminish stress in laboratory rats.“We’re trying to find out if we canalter the animal’s environment insuch a way that stress is reduced,perhaps by dimming the lightsconsiderably, lengthening the ani-mal’s period of darkness, givingthem toys in the cage to play with,providing them with places in the

cage to hide, or giving them run-ning wheels in which they can vol-untarily exercise,” he said. “We’vealso found that housing ratstogether in the same cage can bevery useful in reducing stress-likeresponses.”

Lawson is continuing his researchwith a new, three-year grant fromthe National Institutes of Health.He remarked, “I think our data isuseful to the (animal-care) communityand I think it’s good information,but the three covers on the journaljust sort of came out that way.” ■

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Seniors and adults wholive in Michigan’slargest urban cities aredying early with poorhealth status measures

and significantly high mortalityrates. Using data from the 2000Census, Wayne State researchersin the Community HealthInstitutes found excess mortalityin 12 urban cities, meaning resi-dents were more likely to diebefore age 75, compared with peo-ple living elsewhere in the state ofMichigan.

“People are literally dying beforetheir time, and we can calculatetheir risk based simply on wherethey live,” said Lee Kallenbach,Ph.D., assistant professor of com-munity medicine, epidemiologistand community health assessor.Dr. Kallenbach compiled popula-tion data and demographics for theDetroit Area Agency on Agingwith data obtained from theMichigan Department ofCommunity Health.

After compiling several reportsfor the Detroit Area Agency onAging , here’s what he found:

• Detroit-area seniors age 60-74die at a rate 48 percent higherthan their counterparts in ruraland suburban areas in Michigan.

Urban Seniors Suffer Premature Death • Detroit-area adults age 50-59

die at a rate 122 percent higherthan those in the rest of the state.

• Even outside of Detroit, resi-dents of 10 urban centers die at a rate 25 percent higher thanthe rest of the state, resultingin more than 700 prematuredeaths per year.

The 10 urban areas studiedinclude: Ann Arbor, Battle Creek,Benton Harbor, Detroit, Flint,Grand Rapids, Highland Park,Kalamazoo, Lansing, Muskegon,Pontiac and Saginaw. Of these,only Ann Arbor did not exhibitexcess premature mortality.

Dr. Kallenbach is using these sta-tistics to recommend a fresh lookat the region’s distribution of serv-ices, access to care, and care man-agement strategies.

“We hope this work helps theDetroit Area Agency on Aging in understanding the needs of the senior population by integrat-ing public health and communityinformation into its future strategic planning initiatives,” Dr.Kallenbach said. ■

The Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State UniversityCommunity Health Institutes(CHI) has developed a commu-nity health profile Web site forthe tri-county metropolitanDetroit area. This on-line inter-active database allows a user toview profiles for individual geo-graphic areas, often down to asingle zip code.

The intent of the Web site(www.chimart.org) is to assistin the identification of commu-nity health needs, in the priori-tization of those needs for program development and in theevaluation of program efficacy.

This Web site is intended notonly for users within the uni-versity community, but also formembers of the community atlarge who could benefit from itscontent. The centerpiece for thepresentation of information is adeveloping set of communityindicators referred to as the“CHI Profile.” CHIMart.org alsofeatures an interactive map-ping facility whereby usersmay select population andhealth data elements for cus-tom designed display.

CHIMart.org provides demo-graphic information related tokey health indicators and helpsprovide a baseline measure-ment for comparison to otherareas. “It’s meant to be infor-mation, not data,” says Dr. LeeKallenbach. “In other words,these numbers can be used forrationale purposes and compar-isons. They contain powerfulinformation about our commu-nities.” In essence, he says, theCHI Profile is meant to bringtogether communities of healthcare and public health providersand the recipients of that care.

To see your community healthprofile, visit www.chimart.org/.

Dr. Kallenbach is measuring the health status of seniors and finding excess mortalities

for those who live in urban areas.

Check the Health of Your Community

Dr. David Lawson makes sure research animals get good care and does studies to ensure solid federal regulations for animal investigation.

8 Fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 4

Manuel Tancer,M.D., has beennamed chair ofthe Departmentof Psychiatry and

Behavioral Neurosciences at theWayne State University School ofMedicine. He will jointly serve aspsychiatrist-in-chief for the DetroitMedical Center (DMC), giving himleadership over all WSU and DMCresearch and clinical programs inpsychiatry. He had been serving asinterim chair since 2001, and waschosen for the permanent positionafter competing in a comprehen-sive national search.

“Dr Tancer is a strong advocatefor mental health research andclinical programs. He is passionateabout the role of research inimproving clinical care and aboutclinical care informing research,”said Dr. Maryjean Schenk, whoheaded the search committee thatrecommended Dr. Tancer for theposition.

With great experience as a fac-ulty member, research director andclinician, Dr. Tancer says citizensneed parity for mental health cov-erage, particularly in Michigan.“People are finally recognizingmental health as a serious medicalspecialty, but we need to increasequality and accessibility. Researchand evidence-based medicine arethe keys to developing quality sys-tems of care,” Dr. Tancer said.

Since joining Wayne StateUniversity in 1994, Dr. Tancer hasserved many roles in theDepartment of Psychiatry andBehavioral Neurosciences. He hasbeen interim chair, associate chair,associate professor, director ofadult clinical programs, director ofthe psychiatry residency program,director of the neuropsychiatricresearch unit, director of theambulatory research unit, andmedical director for several pro-grams including brain imaging,the comorbidity program, the clin-ical research division on substance

Dr. Manuel Tancer to Chair Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences

abuse, and the social phobia clini-cal research program.

His own research interests are:the long-term consequences ofMDMA use (ecstasy) for which hehas a sizable National Institutes ofHealth grant; concurrent condi-tions like addiction and bipolar dis-order, which are difficult to treat inunison; social phobia, and individ-ual differences in the effects ofdrugs and medications—all ofwhich have earned him externalfunding support and awards.

Dr. Tancer earned a bachelor’sdegree from Princeton Universityand a medical degree from theUniversity of Arizona College ofMedicine. He did a psychiatryinternship at Arizona; a residencyat the North Carolina MemorialHospital/University of NorthCarolina School of Medicine; and afellowship in anxiety and affectivedisorders at the National Instituteof Mental Health. He was a facultymember for four years at the

University of North Carolina andcame to Detroit in 1994. He beganpracticing psychiatry and directingresearch at the Allen Park/DetroitVeteran’s Administration MedicalCenter and joined the faculty at theWayne State University School of Medicine. He continues to see patients at the UniversityPsychiatric Center--Jefferson and atthe Jefferson Avenue ResearchProgram.

As chair of psychiatry and behav-ioral neurosciences, Dr. Tancerleads one of the school’s largestand most productive areas ofresearch. With 71 full-time facultymembers and 117 voluntary/teach-ing faculty members, WSU psychi-atrists and scientists are at workthroughout DMC institutions, mul-tiple private practice sites, andagencies and hospitals throughoutsoutheast Michigan. The depart-ment generated $11.5 million inexternal research funding in 2002,and according to the National

As department chair, Dr. Tancer emphasizes the need for evidence-based medicine in psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences.

Institutes of Health, ranks 24th inthe country in terms of total fund-ing (2001 figure—latest available).The department’s main researchareas include: pediatric disorders(obsessive-compulsive disorder,anxiety disorders), developmentalimpact of drug or toxin exposure,adherence to treatment, brainimaging, basic neurosciences, sub-stance abuse and addiction, psy-chophysiology, chronic mental ill-ness (bipolar disorder and co-occurring disorders), and dispari-ties that impede access to mentalhealth care.

“I believe research drives policy,”Dr. Tancer said. “The WSU Schoolof Medicine is committed to culti-vating research programs that helpour community get high-qualitymental health care.” ■

9Fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 4

Andrew T. Turrisi,M.D., has beennamed chair of theDepartment ofRadiation Oncology

at the Wayne State UniversitySchool of Medicine and chief ofradiation oncology at the BarbaraAnn Karmanos Cancer Instituteand the Detroit Medical Center.

Dr. Turrisi most recently servedas professor and chair of theDepartment of Radiation Oncologyat the Medical University of SouthCarolina and associate director ofnetwork development and outreachfor Hollings Cancer Center at theMedical University of SouthCarolina. The Hollings CancerCenter opened in 1993, just twoyears before the Karmanos CancerInstitute became the integrated

Dr. Turrisi returns to Michigan as

WSU’s new chair of radiation oncology.

Dr. Andrew Turrisi to ChairRadiation Oncology

cancer system of WSU and theDMC.

“I come here hoping to enhancethe already vibrant clinicians andscientists at Karmanos and in theGershenson Radiation OncologyCenter to facilitate multidiscipli-nary and translational research.The patient will always be at thecenter of our efforts. I look forwardwith great hope of working at asuccessful cancer center,” Dr.Turrisi said.

A specialist in radiation treat-ment for lung cancer, Dr. Turrisihas also served as associate chair-man and director of clinical pro-grams in the Department ofRadiation Oncology at theUniversity of Michigan MedicalCenter and assistant professor ofradiation oncology at the

University of Pennsylvania Schoolof Medicine. During his Michigandays, he collaborated with WSUfaculty members including Dr.Harvey Pass, with whom heauthored the book “Lung Cancer:Principles and Practice.”

“Dr. Turrisi brings exceptionalexperience and demonstratedscholarship and expertise to thisimportant position,” said Dr. JohnCrissman, dean of the School ofMedicine. “I am confident he willlead the department to a positionalnational preeminence in cancerresearch and clinical care.”

“Dr. Turrisi is a major addition tothe institute’s team of radiationoncologists who possess world-class expertise in state-of-the-arttherapies which are key to our mul-tidisciplinary programs and our

patients’ continuum of care,” saidDr. John Ruckdeschel, presidentand chief executive officer of theBarbara Ann Karmanos CancerInstitute. “Dr. Turrisi brings to theinstitute and our patients morethan 25 years of experience. Hisleadership will strengthen the radi-ation oncology program here insoutheast Michigan as an importanttreatment option for patients diag-nosed with cancer.”

Dr. Turrisi holds a B.S. from SaintPeters College, an M.D. fromGeorgetown University inWashington D.C. and is certified bythe American Board of InternalMedicine and the American Boardof Radiology. He serves on the edi-torial boards of several scientificand medical journals includingLung Cancer, The Oncologist, The

International Journal of RadiationOncology Biology and Physics, andCongent Medicine. He is also areviewer/referrer for nearly 20publications including Cancer,Annals of Internal Medicine andThe Cancer Journal from ScientificAmerican. He has published morethan 200 abstracts, books, chap-ters and publications in scientificjournals and is a member ofnumerous professional societies.He has been named one of the“Best Doctors in America” byCastle Connolly, Ltd. and “TopCancer Specialist for Women” byGood Housekeeping magazine. ■

10 Fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 4

Generex BiotechnologyCorporation celebratedthe publication ofthree papers by GildaG. Hillman, Ph.D.,

and other scientists at Wayne StateUniversity and Antigen Express,Generex’s immunomedicine sub-sidiary. Dr. Hillman, associate pro-fessor of radiation oncology atWayne State University and theBarbara Ann Karmanos CancerInstitute, said the publicationshighlight the developmentprogress of a novel genetic cancervaccine that suppresses theexpression of the Ii protein intumors.

In addition, the company isexpanding its research and devel-opment collaboration with WayneState toward studies that willenable clinical trial initiation of thenovel vaccine. The approachincludes injection of tumors withproprietary molecules that triggera potent anti-tumor immuneresponse. Importantly, a tumor-specific T-helper cell response iselicited.

The following papers were pub-lished recently in peer-reviewedjournals:

Three Papers Highlight Successful CollaborationBetween WSU and Generex Biotechnology

1. Lu X, et al., “TumorImmunotherapy by ConvertingTumor Cells to MHC Class II-Positive, Ii Protein-NegativePhenotype,” Cancer ImmunologyImmunotherapy June 19, 2003(electronic publication)

2. GG Hillman, et al., “GeneratingMHC Class II+/Ii- PhenotypeAfter Adenoviral Delivery ofboth an Expressible Gene forMHC Class II Inducer and anAntisense Ii-RNA Construct,”Gene Therapy 10: 1512-1518,(August 2003)

3. GG Hillman, et al., “RadiationImproves Intratumoral GeneTherapy for Induction of CancerVaccine in Murine ProstateCarcinoma,” Human GeneTherapy 14:763-775 (May 20,2003)

“Taken together, these papersdemonstrate the importance of pro-voking potent specific T-helperimmune responses. The goal ofimmunotherapy is to prolong dis-ease-free survival, and to treatresidual disease that remains fol-lowing definitive therapy withradiation, surgery, or chemother-

apy. The Ii-suppression novel vac-cine inducer will be further opti-mized with the hope of initiatingclinical trials in patients withprostate cancer in the near future,”Dr. Hillman said.

This approach to the treatment ofcancer involves converting cancercells in vivo into antigen present-ing cells capable of inducing apotent anti-tumor CD4+ T-helpercell immune response. In the firstpaper, the authors demonstratedthe feasibility of converting thephenotype of renal cancer cells invivo from MHC class II-negative toMHC class II-positive using plas-mid genes delivered in lipids.Importantly, Ii protein expressionin the cells was suppressed.Cancer cells that express MHCclass II molecules without associ-ated Ii protein were shown toinduce immune responses capableof shrinking injected tumor nod-ules and decreasing rates of pro-gression.

In the second study, genes toinduce MHC class II expressionand to suppress the expression ofthe Ii protein were delivered usingadenoviral vectors injected directlyinto tumor nodules in vivo. Theinvestigators observed immune

responses capable of causing com-plete tumor regression.

In the third paper, the authorsdemonstrated the feasibility andsafety of combining radiation andintratumoral gene therapy, as wellas synergy with respect to anti-tumor effects in tumor cure andre-challenge of cured mice in aprostate cancer model. The factthat cured mice that received thevaccine were protected from re-

challenge with tumor speaks tothe logic of the approach.

The Ii suppression technology isbeing developed for intratumoraluse for the treatment of renal,prostate, breast and colon cancers.In addition, the technology is alsobeing used in the development ofgenetic vaccines for HIV and otherdiseases. ■

Dr. Hillman provides much of the bench work behind new cancer vaccines.

The sixth annual WayneState University MinorityPrograms Research Daywas celebrated onAugust 21 and featured

a wide variety of quality researchpresentations from graduate andundergraduate students.

The research day is sponsored bythe Initiative for Minority StudentDevelopment (IMSD), which isfunded by the National Institutesof Health. Also participating werestudents involved in the NationalInstitute of Mental Health CareerOpportunities in Research (NIMHCOR) program at WSU.

Minority Scholars Show Their WorkCongratulations to the winners:

UndergraduateFirst place: Alexandria Conley(NIMH COR student) Second place: Eric Brown (NIMHCOR) and DaShawnda Lindsey(IMSD student)

GraduateFirst place: Crystal Hill-Pryor (IMSD) Second place: Nicholas Jones (IMSD)

Student of the YearAngela Martinez (IMSD) won acertificate of excellence for out-standing student of the year. ■

Pictured here are the graduates of Introduction to Science

Research, an eight-week summer course for minority students

sponsored by the IMSD program.

Pictured from left to right are Minority Research Day winners:

DaShawnda Lindsey, Nicholas Jones, Angela Martinez, Crystal

Hill-Pryor, Dr. Rasheeda Zafar (program coordinator), Alexandria

Conley, Eric Brown, and Dr. Joseph Dunbar (program director).

Fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 411

Medical studentshave academicadvisors, profes-sors and coun-selors, but a men-

tor fills a special role. A mentortakes both personal and profes-sional interest in a student and helpshim or her master a medical specialty.

“Mentors provide teachingbetween the lines,” said KertiaBlack, M.D., assistant dean for stu-dent affairs. “They show studentsthe ropes by helping with network-ing, warning against errors andserving as role models.”

Confirming students’ zeal for thenew program, Dr. Black receivedmore than 700 requests for men-tors when the program idea wasannounced. So far, 50 faculty mem-bers have volunteered to take partin this stimulating exchange amongsenior and junior physicians.

Yvonne Friday, M.D., has woncountless teaching and service

Medical Student Mentoring ProgramTeaches Between the Lines

awards, and has a track record ofproviding remarkable student sup-port. She thinks mentoring is critical,particularly for careers in medicine.

“Human beings learn by imitat-ing others. Role modeling is essen-tial because it allows us to practicewho and what we wish to become,”Dr. Friday said. “As physician edu-cators, one of our primary goals isto influence the outcome of thenext generations. We must appointtime to model, to advise and tocounsel those who will continueafter we depart. The allotment oftime to another person not onlyprovides the opportunity formutual learning, but it also reaf-firms the importance of each per-son as an individual being.”

An assistant professor of pedi-atrics, Dr. Friday is an advocate foryoung, single mothers, medicallyindigent children, and she hasdevoted a large portion of hercareer to the medical care of incar-

cerated youth at the Wayne CountyJuvenile Detention Facility. Shehas served her entire career as arole model for medical students.

Faculty mentors will make phonecalls to medical students andmentees, have personal meetingsto discuss their specialties and pro-vide practical pointers, invite stu-dents to shadow them during officevisits, meetings, etc., and be availableinformally for personal questions.

Jerry Brewer, Student Senatepresident, said students benefitgreatly from direct meetings withcompassionate faculty members.“Every student needs a mentor,” hesaid. “Medical students have to spendcountless hours in the library, arethen suddenly thrown into theclinical arena, to later have tomake life impacting career choicesmany times with limited informa-tion. A mentor is not only invalu-able to the success of the medicalstudent during the rigors of med-

ical school, but is also available asa priceless source of informationand counseling during pivotalmoments of choosing a career pathand making life altering decisions.”

Medical students can learn muchfrom other medical students: which

The School of Medicine atWayne State Universitycontinues its mission ofvaluing an ethnicallydiverse and cross-cul-

tural population within the faculty,staff, student body and wider com-munity. Serving to further cultivatethis focus are the Minority HighSchool Science Education Program(MHSSEP) and the OHEP ScholarsProgram. Both are summer pro-grams that provide science enrich-ment and clinical care exposure forminority and disadvantaged stu-dents. The MHSSEP is funded bythe National Institutes of Healthand serves in partnership with the Detroit Area Pre-CollegeEngineering Program (DAPCEP).OHEP receives funding from a con-sortium of health and academicinstitutions including: the HenryFord Health System, the St. JohnHealth System, Detroit Public

Summer Programs Educate Minority and Disadvantaged Students

professors use lots of diagrams,how to study for histology examsand who runs good review ses-sions. Only veteran physicians canteach them the bigger things—theactual practice and profession ofmedicine. ■

Faculty mentors allow students to shadow them and they are available informally to

talk about their specialties.

This year’s OHEP Scholars students and leaders celebrate their final research presentations.

Schools, the Detroit MedicalCenter, and the Wayne StateUniversity School of Medicine.

While both programs seek toenhance the development of scien-tific inquiry and awareness ofcareers in health professions, eachvaries in design. The MHSSEP provides teens with hands-onresearch experience in biomedicaland pharmaceutical labs with afocus on health related issues.Edna Jackson-Gray, Ph.D., programcoordinator, explains that it is aunique two-summer commitmentfor both the research mentor andthe student. “For the researcher itmeans mentoring, role modelingand teaching. For the student itinvolves learning as well as adapt-ing to an academic and culturalexposure of a different kind.

The OHEP Scholars programoffers an opportunity for studentsto have direct observations of clin-

ical procedures and involvementwith patient care. David Pieper,Ph.D. assistant. dean for continu-ing medical education, said “Theemphasis of the OHEP Program ison giving students real life experi-ences in hospitals where they workand obtain health career relatedclinical experiences.”

Both programs also involve lec-tures and interactive didactic ses-sions with highly respected healthcare professionals from a diversearray of backgrounds and experi-ences. The culminating event foreach program highlighted studentactivities with a final presentationof their respective research papers.All 30 participants invited familyand friends as well as the academiccommunity. Returning to school,students will enjoy a tangible“show and tell” paper along with arewarding stipend check reflectingan enriching summer. ■

Teens participating in the Minority High School Science Education Program get

hands-on research experience in biomedical and pharmaceutical labs.

12 Fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 4

Ryan Edward AddingtonEastern Michigan University, BS

Ryan James AgemaMichigan State University, BS

Angela Iniobong Akpabio Marygrove College, BA

Abdul-Rahma AlbeirutiUniversity of Michigan, BA

Aziz A. Alkatib University of Michigan, BS Wayne State University, MS

Shannon Huntington Allen University of Michigan, BA

Thelma Afua Ayensu University of Maryland, BS MCP Hahnemann University, MS

Charles James Bailey University of Michigan, BS

Ciara Jane BarclayMichigan State University, BS

Patrick George Belvitch University of Michigan, BS

Ryan Edward Berecky Western Michigan University, BS

Kristi Marie Bernath Grand Valley State University, BS

John Christopher Berschback Miami University, BA

Andrew Charles Bielaczyc Michigan State University, BA

Matthew Paul Biersack University of Michigan, BS

Elisa Ann Billy Central Michigan University, BS

Jennifer Marie Birch University of Michigan, BS

Michelle Lynn Bizon Michigan State University, BS

Karen Ann Bockli University of Michigan, BA

Christie Lynn BoilsUniversity of Georgia, BS

Carrie Ellen BoltonUniversity of Michigan, BS

Grant Nicholas Bowman University of Michigan, BS

Abigail Ruth Brackney University of Michigan, BS

Benjamin Ross Braun Albion College, BAWayne State University, MA

Mark Edward Brewster Alma College, BSWayne State University, MS

Colin Charles Buchanan Denison University, BS

Christopher James Budziak University of Michigan, BSWayne State University, MS

Tarin Mignon Bynum Xavier University, BS

Nicki Jo Cain Grand Valley State University, BS

Michael Paul Carlisle Olivet Nazarene University, BS

Sarah Elizabeth Caruso Michigan State University, BS

Charles Terrell Cash Albion College, BS

Eric Allen Chase Northern Michigan University, BS

Andrew Michael Compton Michigan State University, BS

Faith Mary Crumpler Wayne State University, BS

William Joseph Curtiss Central Michigan University, BSWayne State University, MS

Stephanie Michelle Czarnik Wayne State University, BSWayne State University, MS

Ali A. Dabaja University of Michigan, Dearborn, BS

Robert Hadi Deeb Wayne State University, BS

Christopher Allen Dehlin Michigan Technological University, BSMichigan Technological University, MS

Sarah Nichole Deighton-CollinsUniversity of Michigan, Dearborn, BSWayne State University, MS

Robert Joseph Dempsey University of Illinois, BS

Mark Richard Deneau Purdue University, BS

Andrew Russo DiNardo Emory University, BA

Allison Marie Dobbie University of Virginia, BA

Terone T. Dunbar Wayne State University, BS

Carmen Giovanni Echols Xavier University, BS

Aimee Marie D. Espinosa Hillsdale College, BSThomas Jefferson, MS

Kari Leah Etmund Hillsdale College, BS

Kimberly Marie Farrow University of Notre Dame, BA

Brian Kenneth Felice Oakland University, BS

Thomas Rowan Fennell Michigan State University, BS

Leslie Ann Field University of Michigan, BS

Erin Nicole Fisher University of Michigan, BS

Sean A. Fitzgerald Rochester Institute of Technology, BS

Jennifer A. Foess University of Michigan, BS

Anthony Thomas Fritzler University of Michigan, BS

Steven Joseph Gamalski University of Detroit Mercy, BS

Ricardo A. Garza University of Michigan, BA

Zhiling Gau Swarthmore College, BA

Juan Julio Geldres University of Michigan, BSUniversity of Michigan, MH

Joanna Monir Ghobrial Wayne State Universit, BS

Amanda Pauline Gittus Trinity International University, BA

Etai GoldenbergUniversity of Michigan, BS

Laura Andrea Gonzalez-RichardUniversity of Michigan, Flint, BS

Andrew Ward Goodman Western Michigan University, BS

Matthew Daniel Gormley University of Michigan, BS

Christopher Michael Goshgarian Wayne State University, BS

Meredith Leigh Greene Albion College, BA

DeLorean Quinby Griffin Florida A&M University, BS

Ryan Guffey University of Michigan, BS

David Wayne Guffey University of Michigan, BA

David Gerald Hall Albion College, BA

Michael Jay Hall Weber State University, AS

Kerstin Elise Hanson University of Michigan, BS

Kimberly Corrine Hartman Kalamazoo College, BA

Katherine Anne Hebert Miami University, BA

Carrie Rose Hecht Alma College, BS

Leila M. Hemati University of Colorado, BA

Luke Daniel Heskett Knox College, BA

Thomas James Hewson Michigan State University, BS

Jennifer Michelle Heyl University of Michigan, BS

Ethan William Hines Grace College and Theological Seminary, BS

Jeremy Robert Hogg University of Michigan, Flint, BS

Edward Joseph Holden University of Michigan, Flint, BS

Brittany Luea Holden University of Notre Dame, BA

Kimberly Renee Houchard University of Michigan, BS

Liam Patrick Howley University of Michigan, BS

Ronald Lon Huang University of Michigan, BS

Jonathan Alexander Hughes Kalamazoo College, BA

Janet Myung Hur University of Michigan, BS

Viktoriya Ioffe University of Michigan, Dearborn, BS

Shaun T. Ittiara Kalamazoo College, BS

Randa Jaafar University of Michigan, Dearborn, BSWayne State University, MS

Ticaria Lynne Jackson Howard University, BS

Lawrence Jacobs University of Windsor, BS

Andrew Peter Jameson Ferris State University, BS

Sunil Partab Jeswani University of Michigan, BS

Tiffany Sheree Jones Ohio State University, BS

Adrienne Jordan Prairie View A & M University, BSPrairie View A & M University, MS

Louis Theodore Joseph Michigan State University, BS

Kenneth Howard Jostock University of Michigan, Flint, BS

Phillip Amer Kadaj University of Michigan, BS

Jessica Ann Kado Wayne State University, BA

Susan S. Kais University of Michigan, BS

Jack Min Kan University of California, BS

Jessica Marie Kaniowski Michigan State University, BA

Sevan Sima Karadolian University of Michigan, BSWayne State University, MS

Kripa KavasseriMichigan State University, BS

John William Kemppainen University of Michigan, BS

Mohamad Ali Kenaan University of Michigan, Dearborn, BS

Jennifer Ann Kenaya University of Detroit Mercy, BS

Erin Marie Kenyon University of Michigan, BAWayne State University, MS

Sheetal Pramod Kerkar Kalamazoo College, BA

Joelle Megan Kezlarian Hope College, BA

Sarah S. Khodadadeh University of Michigan, BSWayne State University, MS

Brian Douglas Kiekover Grand Valley State University, BSAquinas College, MA

Christopher John Kirkpatrick Ferris State University, BS

Justin J. Knight Western Michigan University, BS

Katherine Rae Kraft University of Michigan, BS

Jessica Erin Krajci Wayne State University, BS

Brad Ernest Kremer Michigan State University, BSWayne State University, MS

Akash Kumar Michigan State University, BS

Kelvin Ming-Tak Kwong University of Toronto, BSUniversity of Toronto, MH

Leonard Nadong Lamsen Wayne State University, BSWayne State University, MS

Jackson Richard Lanphear Albion College, BA

Jonathan Norton Lauter University of Michigan, BS

Todd Thornton Lavery Calvin College, BA

Tiffany Anne Lawn Grand Valley State University, BS

Rebecca Elizabeth Lipshutz Duke University, BA

Megan Rebeccah Loomer Michigan State University, BS

Michael Joseph Louwers University of Michigan, BSWayne State University, MS

Michael Peter Maddens Wayne State University, BS

Alexander Samuel Madgy Wayne State University, BS

Redah Zainub Mahmood University of Michigan, BS

Matthew Benjamin Main Spring Arbor University, BA

Ariel Majjhoo Wayne State University, BS

Ahmad Tariq Malik University of Michigan, BS

Anna Maria Marandici University of Michigan, BS

Saba Fatima Hasi Maroof University of North Carolina, BAWayne State University, MS

The Wayne State University School of Medicine welcomes its newest class of future physicians.

Class of 2007

13Fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 4

Chantal Melinda Mayers Salisbury State University, BS

Paul Alex Mazaris Michigan State University, BSWayne State University, MS

Patrick Wayne McCabe Wayne State University, BS

Jamal McClendon Duke University, BS

Eric David McLearon Michigan State University, BS

Varsha Mendiratta Xavier University, BS

Michael James Mequio Kalamazoo College, BA

Wendi S. Miller Wayne State University, BS

Jamel Miner Wayne State University, BA

Krzysztof Mlak Wayne State University, BS

Sean Michael Mosharo Michigan State University, BA

Dariush Moussai Polytechnic University, BSYeshiva University, MS

Kathryn Irene Murinas Vanderbilt University, BHGeorgia Institute of Technology, MS

Christopher Raffi Najarian University of Michigan, BSUniversity of Michigan, MH

Adam David Nicholas University of Michigan, BA

Ijeoma Onyema Nnodim University of Michigan, BA

Anoop Crumsan Nundkumar University of Michigan, BS

Uchebike Nnagozie Nwankwo University of Michigan, BS

Harold Theodore Obiakor CUNY City College, BSJohn Hopkins, MS

Andrea Lauren O’Boyle University of Michigan, BS

Elizabeth Amy O’Connor Marquette University, BS

Amy Ann Oglesby Wayne State University, BS

Nevin Nuray Oksuz University of Michigan, BS

Adanze Okwu Eastern Michigan University, BS

Jasmine Elaine Oliver Xavier University, BS

Nicholas Olson Carleton College, BS

Kanayo Orji Michigan State University, BS

Amanda Jo Overmyer Grand Valley State University, BS

Maria Pak University of Michigan, BS

Neal Earl Palmreuter Alma College, BA

Carolyn Ker-chih Pan MassachusettsInstitute of Technology, BS

Lisa Kimberly Pappas University of Michigan, BS

Neepa Jayant Patel University of Michigan, BS

Minda Lisa Patt McGill University, BA

Zaal Homi Paymaster Grand Valley State University, BS

Aaron John Plattner Kansas State University, BS

Edward Garrett Pratt Tufts University, BA

Yusuf Qamruzzaman University of Michigan, BA

Sheila Rabbani University of Michigan, BS

Renee Christine Rader Southern Adventist University, BS

Stephanie Lynn Rains Grand Valley State University, BS

Benjamin Wood Reinke Oakland University, BS

Trevor William Ripley Albion College, BAWayne State University, MH

John David Ritchie Massachusetts Institute of Technology, BS

Elizabeth Ann Robbins Oakland University, BA

Matthew John Roberge Ferris State University, BS

Eric Gallin Roberts University of Michigan, BS

Melissa Mae Roche University of Michigan, BS

Jason David Rodney University of Western Ontario, BS

Hussein Ali Saad University of Michigan, Dearborn, BS

Mikel Mitry Saad Wayne State University, BS

Michael Russell Saber University of Arizona, BAWayne State University, MS

Fareed Reza Saleh Harvard University, BA

Jamal F. Saleh University of Michigan, Dearborn, BS

Allegra Malin Saving Marquette University, BS

Andrea Theresa Scheid Grand Valley State University, BS

Megan Suzanne Schober University of Michigan, BSWayne State University, ScPH

Michael Louis Schostak University of Michigan, BS

Daniel Christopher Schroyer Hope College, BA

Andrew Thomas Schubeck Michigan State University, BS

Justin Matthew Schwartz University of Michigan, BSEastern Michigan University, MS

Beth Nicole Scissors Northwestern University, BS

Aashish Ajit Shah Michigan State University, BS

Mohammad Parvez Shaikh University of Missouri, BS

Elizabeth Grace Short University of California, BS

Harmony Ann Sierens Wayne State University, BSWayne State University, MH

Ralph H. Similien University of Iowa, BAUniversity of Illinois, MA

Daniel Joseph Singer University of Michigan, BS

Anu Singla University of Pennsylvania, BA

Amy Lisa Smark Wayne State University, BA

Kimberly McCullough Smash Tougaloo College, BS

Naomi Cecilia So University of Michigan, BS

Nessreen Nancy Sobh Wayne State University, BS

Craig Allen Spencer Wayne State University, BA

John C. Stasko University of Dallas, BSU of New Mexico, PhD

David Steiger University of Michigan, BAUniversity of Michigan, JD

Jeremy Richard Strohkirch University of Michigan, BS

Kristoffer Bradley Sugg Wayne State Universit, BA

James Matthew Szymanski University of Michigan, BHUniversity of Michigan, MH

Asad Mahmoud Tarsin University of Michigan, BA

Eric DeVaughn Taylor University of Michigan, Flint, BA

Jennifer Lynn Thompson Eastern Michigan University, BS

Michael Leighton Thompson University of Michigan, BS

Cayle Thomas Tompkins Valparaiso University, BS

Eric Warren Tosh Albion College, BA

Nicole Jonelle Tromble University of Michigan, Flint, BS

Michael Petko Trpkovski University of Michigan, Dearborn, BS

Ubong Asuquo Umoren Creighton University, BS

Nichole Ann Urban Central Michigan University, BSWayne State University, MS

Henrikas Vaitkevicius Wayne State University, BSWayne State University, MS

Mary Jo Van OstenbergUniversity of Michigan, BA

Laurie Marie Vance Albion College, BA

Teresa Ellen Vandenbergh Grand Valley State University, BS

Cynthia Kay Velting-Kidder California State University, BS

Shree Ramanan Venkat University of Michigan, BA

Andrea Kay Veryser University of Michigan, BS

Carissa Elaine Villa Northern Michigan University, BS

Thomas Juergen Walker Oakland University, BS

Joshua Irl Warrick Wayne State University, BS

Tamia JoVonne Watts University of Pittsburgh, BS

Staci JoAnn Weldon Cedarville University, BS

Julie Kathleen Weller University of Michigan, Flint, BS

Antonette Otis Whitehead University of Michigan, BS

Kevin Duane Whitlow Central Michigan University, BS

Mary Christine Whitney University of Michigan, BS

Heather Elizabeth Wiggin University of Michigan, BSEastern Michigan University, MSUniversity of Michigan, MH

David Eric Willens University of Michigan, BS

Taujai Narie Williams California State Polytech, BS

Ralph Edward Williams Oakland University, BS

Wanda Lekeisha Williams Tennessee State University, BSTennessee State University, MS

Ryan Christopher Withrow University of Michigan, BS

Kristin Amelia WolfKalamazoo College, BA

Lauren Carol Worth University of California, BS

Ben Yan University of Michigan, BS

Holly Kristin Yettaw Western Michigan University, BS

Angela Ruby YurkKettering University, BS

Mark Antoine Zakaria University of Michigan, BS

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE CLASS OF 2007

Number of Applicants: 2,706

Number of Matriculants: 257

Average MCAT: 9.36

Average GPA: 3.56

Male: 54 percent

Female: 46 percent

Michigan residents: 88.4 percent

Non-Michigan residents: 11.6 percent

Most popular undergraduate colleges and universities

University of Michigan: 74 students

Wayne State University: 25

Michigan State University: 20

Most common undergraduate majors

Biology: 83 students

Chemistry: 22

Engineering: 12

Biomedical: 9

Human Biology: 8

Premedical: 8

Psychology: 7

Physiology: 5

Economics: 5

14 Fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 4

Joshua Adler, M.D., Ph.D., asso-ciate professor of neurology, wasan invited speaker at the annualmeeting for the AmericanSyringomyelia Alliance Project inJuly. He spoke on “Peptides, Painand Cytokines in Syringomyelia.”He also served as an externalreviewer for the Department ofVeteran’s Affairs Career DevelopmentStudy Section.

Joyce Benjamins, Ph.D., profes-sor and associate chair of neurol-ogy, was appointed to the editorialboard of the International Journalfor Developmental Neuroscience.

Kanta Bhambhani, M.D., asso-ciate professor of pediatrics (hema-tology/oncology) and director ofthe lead poisoning program atChildren’s Hospital of Michigan,has been named co-chair, alongwith the Michigan Surgeon General,Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, of theGovernor-appointed “Call to Action”task force to eliminate childhoodlead poisoning in Michigan by 2010.

Nancy Cao, M.D., Ph.D., co-chiefresident in neurology, presented“Acute Segmental Flaccid Paralysis:A Neuromuscular Presentation ofWest Nile Virus Infection” at themeeting of the Peripheral NerveSociety in July.

Dr. Cao also presented at themeeting of European NeurologicalSociety in June. Her first presenta-tion was “Oral Prednisone TaperHas No Effect on NeurologicRecovery Following IntravenousMethylprednisolone for theTreatment of a Multiple SclerosisRelapse.” Her second presentationwas “Three Year Follow-Up andClinical Course After Change ofImmunomodulating Therapy inRelapsing-Remitting MultipleSclerosis.”

Scott Dulchavsky, M.D., Ph.D.,professor of surgery, was namedchair of the surgery department atHenry Ford Health System, begin-ning July 1, 2003.

Suresh Chitturi, M.D., andKristyn Gregory, M.D., first-yearresidents in the Department of

Psychiatry and BehavioralNeurosciences child and adoles-cent program, were awarded fel-lowships by Shire, Inc. to attendFellows Educational Initiativesfocusing on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Lawrence Diebel, M.D., associ-ate professor of surgery, has beenappointed to head the task forcecharged with developing an opera-tive skills course for the AmericanCollege of Surgeons Committee onTrauma.

Richard Gallagher, Ph.D., pro-fessor of family medicine, met in Washington, D.C. withSubcommittee G of the NationalCancer Institute for purposes ofreviewing cancer curriculum andcareer development awards.

Xi Huang, Ph.D., research scientist in anatomy and cell biology, was awarded a grant fromthe Midwest Eye-Banks andTransplantation Center to investi-gate “The Role of Toll-LikeReceptors in Bacterial Keratitis.”

Mark Ireland, Ph.D., associateprofessor of anatomy and cell biology, was awarded a grant fromthe Midwest Eye-Banks andTransplantation Center to investi-gate “The Epidermal Growth FactorReceptor and the Post-NatalDifferentiation of Lens Fiber Cells.”

Manish Jain, M.D., neurology,presented “Schwann CellExpression of PLP1 Is Necessary toPrevent Demyelinating PeripheralNeuropathy” at the meeting of thePeripheral Nerve Society in July.

Peter Karpawich, M.D., profes-sor of pediatrics and director of cardiac electrophysiology atChildren’s Hospital of Michigan,served as invited faculty and ses-sion chairman at the International“Pedirhythm” Cardiology Symposiumon pediatric and congenital heart arrhythmias sponsored byHacettepe School of Medicine, heldin Istanbul, Turkey. He also was aninvited visiting professor at AinShams University School ofMedicine, Department ofCardiology, in Cairo, Egypt.

Karen Krajewski, assistant pro-fessor of neurology, presented“Validation of the CMT NeuropathyScore” at the meeting of thePeripheral Nerve Society in July.

Omar Khan, M.D., associate pro-fessor of neurology, was appointed

Notes

to the Medical Advisory Committeeof the National Multiple SclerosisSociety for a three-year term.

He also spoke on “MagneticResonance Imaging in Patientswith MS Treated With GlatiramerAcetate” and “Cerebral AxonalRecovery in Relapsing-RemittingMultiple Sclerosis Patients Treatedwith Glatiramer Acetate” at a satel-lite symposium of the EuropeanNeurological Society in June.

Richard Lewis, M.D., associatechair of neurology, presented“Rituximab Therapy for IgMRelated Polyneuropathy Results in9 Patients” at the meeting for thePeriperhal Nerve Society in July.

Jun Li, M.D., Ph.D., assistantprofessor of neurology, presented“Comparison of the Phenotype ofHNPP in 17p11.2 Deletions and aPMP22 Null Mutation” at the meet-ing of the Peripheral Nerve Societyin July.

Z. Li presented “C-PeptideEnhances Insulin-Mediated CellGrowth and Protects Against HighGlucose Induced Apoptosis in SH-SYSY Cells” at the meeting of thePeripheral Nerve Society in July.

Robert Lisak, M.D., ParkerWebber Chair of Neurology, profes-sor and chair of neurology and pro-fessor of immunology/microbiol-ogy, was appointed to a secondthree-year term as a member of theResearch Programs AdvisoryCommittee of the National MultipleSclerosis Society. He was alsoappointed to the AccreditationCouncil of the United Council forNeurologic Subspecialties (ACS) asthe representative of the AmericanNeurological Association (ANA).Dr Lisak is a member of theExecutive Council of the ANA.

Dr. Lisak also gave the followingpresentations:

• “Acute DisseminatedEncephalomyelitis” as part ofthe teaching course “InflammatoryDemyelinating Disorders withChildhood Onset” at theEuropean Neurological Societyin June;

• “Immunopathogenesis ofMultiple Sclerosis in 2003:What Do We Know?” as theinvited presidential lecturer atthe meeting of the Consortiumof Multiple Sclerosis Centers in May;

• “Clinical Trials and the ‘DiseaseModifying Therapies in MultipleSclerosis’, the report of theTherapeutics and TechnologyAssessment Subcommittee ofthe American Academy ofNeurology and the MS Councilfor Clinical Guidelines” at TopSeminars: Sclerosi Multilpa.Trials Clinici:Disegnie eValutzioni, in Italy in June;

• “Practical Issues in MultipleSclerosis: Advances in theScience of Neuroimmunology”at the visiting professor seriesat the University of SouthFlorida in July;

• And “Transforming GrowthFactor –Beta (TGF-b),Ointereron –Gamma (IFN-g)and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Reverse Ongoing cAMP-Induced Schwann Cell (SC)Differentiation In Vitro” at the meeting of the Peripheral Nerve Society in July.

Jeffrey Loeb, M.D., Ph.D., assis-tant professor of neurology, pre-sented “Schwann Cells SecreteSoluble Neurotrophic Factors, WhichPromote the Rapid and LocalRelease of Neuregulin From Axons”at the Gordon Research Conferenceon Neurotrophins in June.

Kenneth Maiese, M.D., profes-sor of neurology and anatomy/cellbiology, was appointed to theNational Institutes of Health StudySection “Cell Death and Injury inNeurodegeneration.” He has alsobeen appointed to the program reviewfor the Medical Research Divisionfor Research Career DevelopmentAwards of the Department ofVeterans Affairs, the AmericanHeart Association Peer ReviewSteering Committee and theAmerican Heart Association ResearchSubgroup for the National JointOperating Committee.

In addition, Dr. Maiese wasappointed a member of the MinorityEducational Training and ProfessionalAchievement Committee (METPAC)of the NINDS, the AwardsCommittee of the InternationalAcademy of Cardiology and a mem-ber of the American HeartAssociation Research Committee.

Victoria Neale, Ph.D., associateprofessor of family medicine, hasbeen selected as the new deputyeditor of the Journal of theAmerican Board of Family Practice.Previously she was a feature editorfor Family Medicine.

Samuel Perov, M.D., associateprofessor of anesthesiology andchief of anesthesia at DetroitReceiving Hospital, made a presen-tation on chronic pain treatment ata course sponsored by theFoundation for European Education inAnaesthesiology in Mezotne, Latvia.

John Porcerelli, Ph.D., associateprofessor of family medicine, pub-lished “Personality Characteristicsof Partner-Violent Men” in theJournal of Personality Disorders.

Bradley Rosenberg, M.D., urol-ogy resident, was a 2003 PfizerScholars in Urology grant recipient.

David Rosenberg, M.D., profes-sor of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences, published“Psychopharmacology of Child andAdolescent Anxiety Disorders” inthe April 2003 edition of thePsychiatric Annals.

Aileen Russell, a student work-ing in Dr. David Rosenberg’s labo-ratory, published an article on“Localized Functional NeurochemicalMarker Abnormalities inDorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex inPediatric Obsessive-CompulsiveDisorder” in the Journal of Childand Adolescent Psychopharmacology.

Anthony Shields, M.D., Ph.D.,professor of internal medicine/oncology, has been appointed asso-ciate director for clinical researchat the Barbara Ann KarmanosCancer Institute.

Michael Shy, M.D., professor ofneurology and member of theCenter for Molecular Medicine andGenetics, served as co-chair for thegenetics portion of the meeting ofthe Peripheral Nerve Society.

Anders Sima, M.D., Ph.D., pro-fessor of neurology, presented “C-Peptide Corrects Deficits in NerveFiber Regeneration in Type IDiabetic BB/W-Rat” and “GCPII(Naaladase) Inhibition PartiallyReverses Nerve Conduction VelocityDeficits, Hyperalgesia and ChronicMorphological AbnormalitiesFollowing Chronic Diabetes inBB/WOR Rats” at the meeting ofthe Peripheral Nerve Society in July.

Craig Watson, M.D., Ph.D., pro-fessor of neurology, lectured on“Current Concepts in MedicallyRefractory Epilepsy” at the meet-ing of the Michigan NeurologicalAssociation in June. ■

15Fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 4

Neurology, Neurosurgery Among Top 20 in U.S.

Wayne State University’s neurol-ogy and neurosurgery programs atHarper University Hospital ranked18th in the country according tothe latest list of America’s BestHospitals published in U.S. News &World Report.

The magazine’s 14th annualranking combines reputation, mor-tality, number of discharges, andother measures to summarizequality of care. The list includes203 different medical centers, win-nowed from 6,003 hospitals acrossthe country, in 17 specialties fromcancer to urology.

“It’s nice to see the neurologyand neurosurgery faculty finally berecognized by the lay press and ona national basis for their expertiseand for the quality of the care thatthey provide,” said Dr. RobertLisak, professor and chair of neu-rology. “There are many subspe-cialty programs in neurology andneurosurgery concentrated on thecentral Detroit Medical Centercampus that are the equal of any inthe U.S. or the world.”

According to the magazine,“These medical centers excel forgood reasons. For one, their doc-tors perform large numbers oftricky and risky procedures, andstudy after study shows that prac-tice counts. The best also tend toadhere more closely to advancedtreatment guidelines, to incorpo-rate new findings into patient care,and to conduct research that givesdesperately ill patients additionaloptions.”

Microscope Takes Cell Imaging to New Level

A new microscope that achievesan extraordinary level of imageresolution is allowing Wayne StateUniversity researchers to imageliving cells without stains or dyesunder real-time conditions and atmagnifications approaching thoseof scanning electron microscopy.

Dr. Alan Hudson, professor ofimmunology and microbiology, andDr. Judith Whittum-Hudson, pro-fessor of internal medicine, are cur-rently using the microscope on a

Rounds

six-month trial basis to imageChlamydia trachomatis andChlamydia pneumoniae in waysnever possible before.

After a platform talk at theAmerican Society for Microbiologymeeting in May, Dr. Alan Hudsonwas approached by Tim Richardson,the developer of the microscope,called the RTM3. Wayne Statebecame one of 10 LuminaryLaboratories that uses the equip-ment for a free six-month trial.

Dr. Whittum-Hudson said it ispossible to achieve scanning elec-tron microscopy-like images. “Themercury lamp is customized toincrease the range of light wave-lengths which are viewable,” shesaid. “Resolution is astounding,and we can see intracellularobjects below 50 nm in size in live,unstained cells. To achieve this, wemust use special slides and coverslips to avoid dust or other parti-cles which are bigger than 50 nm.”Live cells also can be labeled withvarious molecular or fluorescentprobes.

“We are convinced (Richardson)has developed something that willbe of immense use in many differ-ent and diverse fields of biology,”Dr. Hudson said.

WSU Contracts Largest WirelessInitiative in a U.S. Medical School

CampusMobility, a mobile appli-cations and development companyin Ann Arbor, recently signed amulti-year contract with theSchool of Medicine, creating thelargest wireless/handheld initia-tive for a U.S. medical school.CampusMobility will provideWayne State University withmobile devices, educational andhealthcare software and wirelessinfrastructure.

“The wireless technologyCampusMobility is providingtransforms the traditional class-room experience into a dynamic,interactive, learning environ-ment,” said Matt Jackson, Ph.D.,professor of immunology andmicrobiology.

Among its other functions,CampusMobility’s technology willenable problem-solving exercisesand the collection of patient infor-mation during clinical internships.It provides students with access to Web-based course content,course management and calendartools and reference information. Italso allows students and their aca-demic advisors to track patientsand their care.

Undergraduate Research PresentedThe inaugural C.S. Mott Center

Summer Undergraduate ResearchProgram was supported by theCharlotte B. Failing Chair award toDr. Stephen A. Krawetz and theCenter for Molecular Medicine andGenetics. The interns were LisaVitale, Holly Edwards and HoumanRezuizadeh. Vitale, a freshmen,worked with Dr. Richard Leach onthe accumulation of HB-EGF inhuman placentas. Edwards, asophomore, worked with Dr. D.Randall Armant on hypoxiainduced expression of HB-EGF.Rezuizadeh, a junior, worked withDr. Krawetz to develop microarraysto study the human protaminelocus. Their work was presentedas part of the Mott Center sym-posia series on August 13, 2003.

WSU Launches TechTownThe Wayne State University

Research and Technology Parktook on a new identity when the12-block research area betweenDetroit’s New Center area andWSU was renamed TechTown.

TechTown will be an entrepre-neurial village where start-up com-panies, existing businesses,researchers and venture capital-ists can collaborate to developproducts and services. It is a non-profit collaboration of private andpublic partnerships affiliated withWSU.

A five-story building, essentiallydonated by General Motors, iscalled TechOne and is being reno-vated to accommodate wet and drylabs, start-up businesses, retailspace and TechTown staff.

Nobel Winner to Give Keynote AddressGunter Blobel, John D.

Rockefeller, Jr. Professor at TheRockefeller University, and winnerof the Nobel Prize in Physiology orMedicine in 1999 will give thekeynote address and is the firstrecipient of the “George E. PaladeGold Medal Award and Lecture.”The lecture and ceremony willtake place Friday November 21,from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the WayneState University School ofMedicine. ■

Stephen Lerman, Ph.D., associateprofessor of immunology andmicrobiology, died on June 7, 2003,from complications resulting froman intestinal transplant performedtwo years ago.

Dr. Lerman received his doctor-ate from Hahnemann University inPhiladelphia in 1973, and was afaculty member at New YorkUniversity before coming to WayneState University in 1978. Upon hisarrival at WSU, he concentrated hisresearch efforts on a spontaneousB-cell tumor occurring in an inbredmouse strain. He studied the com-plex interdependency between theB-cell tumor and T-cells, in whicheach cell population stimulated theother, leading to continuousgrowth of the tumor cells. Thismouse tumor served as a model forhuman follicular center cell lym-phoma. Dr. Lerman served as amentor to a number of graduatestudents who worked on this proj-ect and went on to careers in teach-ing and research.

His studies involved heavyreliance on the use of flow cytome-try, and, consequently, Dr. Lermanapplied for and received a NationalInstitutes of Health instrumenta-tion award for a flow cytometer.The versatility of this equipmentpiqued Dr. Lerman’s interest, andin time he established the FlowCytometry Core Facility jointlysupported by the Barbara AnnKarmanos Cancer Institute and the school’s Department ofImmunology and Microbiology. Dr.Lerman served as graduate officerfor that department, and he coordi-nated the teaching of immunologyand microbiology to second-yearmedical students.

He is survived by his wife,Cheryl, a daughter, Ellyse, andmother, Sylvia Lerman, in additionto his many friends and colleaguesat WSU.

Henry Orbach, architect for theSchool of Medicine, died July 17,2003.

Orbach arrived at WSU when thenew construction for the EllimanResearch Building began in 1986and expected to depart when thebuilding was dedicated in 1989.What started out as a single, desig-nated assignment blossomed intoalmost 15 years of additional proj-ects. A registered and licensedarchitect in the state of Michigan,

In MemoryOrbach displayed a wide range oftalents from the simplest of furni-ture design configurations to themost complex scientific laboratorydesigns and development.

Scores of faculty and staff haveworked with him over the years ashe helped them with various con-struction and renovation projects.His warmth and genuine concernfor the success of each projectendeared him to everyone.

He is survived by his wife, Judith,two children, Susan (Brooks) andGeoffrey, and several grandchildren.

Fanniedell Peeples, longtime volun-teer for the School of Medicine andDetroit Medical Center, died July15, 2003, of respiratory failure atDetroit Receiving Hospital (DRH).

Peeples gave more than 15,000hours of service to the DetroitMedical Center—many of themspent rocking the sickest babies.She visited patients at DetroitReceiving Hospital and Children’sHospital of Michigan, was a mem-ber of the DRH Ethics Committee,and taught and mentored hun-dreds of physicians, residents andmedical students at WSU. She washonored by the School of Medicinein 2001 with a DistinguishedService Award.

Born with severe curvature of thespine and orphaned at a young age,she spent her childhood in fostercare. An honor student in elemen-tary and secondary school, she wasawarded a scholarship to LincolnUniversity, graduated Phi BetaKappa, and was class valedictorian.

Unable to work due to her medicalproblems, she began to volunteerand serve as a patient advocate andfriend. He educated herself atShiffman Medical Library, alwayskeeping up-to-date on medical lit-erature and engaging health pro-fessionals and caregivers in opendiscussions about difficult patientcare dilemmas.

Her service has been noted innational and local media and bycommunity organizations and civicgroups. She has been the subject ofa photo tribute in Life Magazine,named one of People Magazine’s“Most Intriguing People,” cele-brated as one of the “OutstandingMothers of Detroit” in African-American Parent Magazine, andselected “1992 Michiganian of theYear” by The Detroit News.

16 fall 2003 - Volume 14, No. 4

Continuing Medical Education4th Annual Norman N.Krieger, M.D. Lecture inGeriatric Medicine

Wednesday, November 5, 2003The Sheraton Detroit NoviNovi, Mich.

Karmanos Cancer InstituteCancer Supportive CareSymposium: Advances inManagement

Saturday, November 8, 2003The Ford Event & Conference CenterDearborn, Mich.

2nd Annual Asian AmericanInternational MedicalConference: Emerging HealthIssues - A Global Perspective

January 2-4, 2004Marco Island MarriottMarco Island, Fla.

Congestive Heart Failure for the 21st Century

Saturday, February 7, 2004The Somerset InnTroy, Mich.

For more information or to register for conferences, please call Wayne State University’s Divisionof Continuing Medical Education at (313) 577-1180.

Crain’s Detroit Businesshonored three WayneState faculty membersas part of its “HealthCare Heroes” feature.

The honorees are: Isaac Powell,M.D., professor of urology; RobertFrank, M.D, associate dean for aca-demic and student programs; andEli Goldberg, M.D., assistant pro-fessor of pediatrics.

Dr. Isaac Powell was honored forhis efforts to reduce the incidenceof prostate cancer in the blackcommunity through the DetroitEducation and Early Detection(DEED) program. Himself aprostate cancer survivor, Dr.Powell presented his program inthe places most trusted in theblack community: houses of wor-ship. During the two-year DEEDprogram, Dr. Powell and his grouptested 1,300 men in 51 churches

Health Care Heroes Recognized by Crain’s

and found 36 cases of prostate can-cer. Most were found early enoughto undergo surgery. In 1997, Dr.Powell became the principal inves-tigator of a national collaborative to find the genes responsible forhereditary prostate cancer amongblacks.

Dr. Robert Frank was honored forhis 30-year advocacy in trainingmedical students: to stay true to thewell-being of patients; to deal withthe pressure of economic survival,but never at the expense of goodcare; and to be socially responsible.Dr. Frank has been a member ofthe School of Medicine facultysince 1977. He is a member ofPhysicians for Social Responsibilityand operates a medical clinic at St. Patrick's Senior Center. As anassociate dean, Dr. Frank hasincorporated into the medicalschool curriculum subjects such

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as doctor-patient communication,end-of-life care, geriatric medicine,environmental-health exposuresand understanding cultural differ-ences.

Dr. Eli Goldberg was honored for aprogram he established called KidsKicking Cancer. The programteaches martial arts to pediatriccancer and sickle-cell patients andtheir siblings. Rather than allow-ing children to view themselves asvictims of disease, Kids KickingCancer not only strengthens chil-dren physically but trains them tosee themselves as capable andimportant participants in their ownhealing. The program began atChildren's Hospital in 2000 andhas expanded to five other localhospitals. In September, the pro-gram expects to expand to sixmajor hospitals elsewhere in thecountry. ■

Medicolegal Investigation of Death

April 21-23, 2004The Dearborn InnDearborn, Mich.

HonorsNancy Cao, M.D., Ph.D., co-chief

resident in neurology, won theprize for the best resident presen-tation at the annual meeting of theMichigan Neurological Association.She presented on Hashimoto’sencephalopathy.

Bernard Gonik, M.D., professorof obstetrics and gynecology,received the Professional ServiceAward from the MichiganDepartment of Community Healthfor helping to reduce infant mortal-ity through innovative projectsdirected toward providing healthierbirth outcomes. Dr. Gonik’s workhas been focused on reducing theserious morbidity and mortalitysuffered by adults, which assists inprotecting infants from vaccinepreventable diseases.

A.H. Mahbubul Huq, M.D.,Ph.D., assistant professor of pedi-atrics and neurology, received anexclusive grant from the ChildNeurology Foundation to study“Genetics of Insoitol SignalingPathway in Autism.” This makes himthe only grant recipient funded bythe foundation for the year.

Colin Orton, M.D., professor ofradiation oncology, received thehighest award of the InternationalUnion of Physical and EngineeringSciences in Medicine (IUPESM):their Award of Merit. He was pre-sented with this honor at the WorldCongress on Medical Physics andBiomedical Engineering in Sydney,Australia. Dr. Orton was elected toa three-year term as the IUPESM ’snew president.

Michael S. Simon, M.D., associ-ate professor of internal medicine(oncology), was awarded theCharles C. Shepard Science Awardin Assessment and Epidemiology.Given by the Centers for DiseaseControl (CDC), the award recog-nizes Dr. Simon and his colleaguesfor scientific excellence demon-strated by the publication of “OralContraceptives and the Risk ofBreast Cancer” in the June 27,2002 edition of The New EnglandJournal of Medicine. Dr. Simon andhis colleagues found that neithercurrent nor former oral contracep-tive use was associated with a sig-nificantly increased risk.

Dusanka Skundric, M.D., Ph.D.,assistant professor of neurology,received a Junior Faculty TravelAward from the AmericanAssociation of Immunologists.

Wilhelmine Wiese, M.D., assis-tant professor of internal medicineand program director for the gen-eral internal medicine residencyprogram at WSU/DMC, has beenhonored with the Midwest Societyfor General Internal Medicine(SGIM) Clinician Educator Award.

Rosalie Young, Ph.D., associateprofessor of community medicine,was chosen as a winner (finalistcategory) of the 2003 Aetna SusanB. Anthony Award for Excellence inResearch on Older Women andPublic Health. “Breast CancerInformation Needs of Older AfricanAmerican Women,” was co-authored by Dr. Richard Severson,William Stengle and Dr. RobertBurack. Dr. Young and her colleagues will be honored at the Aetna Awards Symposium atthe annual American Public Health Association meeting inNovember. ■