June/July 2019 A Publication of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Campus Edition Takahashi receives global award for pioneering work on circadian rhythms

$500,000 award, will be presented to By James Beltran Dr. Takahashi on Oct. 20 at the annual r. Joseph S. Takahashi, meeting of the Society for Neurosci- Chairman of Neuroscience ence in Chicago. at UT Southwestern, has The recognition comes 25 years received an international after Science published a breakthrough Daward for his pioneering work on the study by Dr. Takahashi that led to the molecular and genetic bases of circa- discovery of Clock. A cascade of other dian rhythms in mammals. findings has stemmed from his lab’s The Gruber Neuroscience Prize, an work over the years, helping scien- annual award that honors scientists tists understand the important role for major discoveries that advance biological clocks have in some of the the understanding of the nervous most crucial functions in the human system, recognized in particular Dr. body – from sleep and mental health Takahashi’s discovery of Clock, the first to metabolism and defending against mammalian gene controlling circadian deadly diseases such as cancer. rhythms. Subsequent research has “I am extremely honored and established Clock as a prominent regu- humbled to have received the Gruber Prize lator of many genes and a key target to The discovery and cloning of the Clock gene (right) by Dr. Joseph Takahashi (left) in the 1990s elevated circadian rhythms in Neuroscience,” said Dr. Takahashi, an better understand the primary under- research beyond fruit flies and put scientists in a position to unlock many of the mysteries of human health and behavior. Investigator with the Howard Hughes pinnings of human physiology. Medical Institute. “It is gratifying to “Dr. Takahashi has made ground- Gruber Foundation stated in its news clock oscillations throughout the body lating the timing of cellular events in be recognized for my lab’s discoveries breaking discoveries in the neuro- release announcing the award. “His use in real time has revealed the broader health and disease.” biology of circadian rhythms,” the of innovative approaches to observe impact of the circadian system in regu- The prize, which includes a Please see TAKAHASHI on page 8

Growth of brain research, cancer treatment programs drive new building project

By Carol Marie Cropper Two new buildings to serve UT Southwestern’s ongoing growth in the high-priority areas of brain research and cancer patient care were Drs. Christine Ochoa and John Brooks celebrated at a groundbreaking June 4 on North Campus. The Outpatient Cancer Care UT Southwestern ranked top institution Tower of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and globally for published research in Nature the Research Tower of the Peter Index health care category O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute are expected to open in the fall of 2022. From staff reports The two nine-story buildings – approximately 300,000 square feet For a second consecutive year, UT Southwestern is the top institu- each – will stand adjacent to the C. tion internationally within the health care category for publishing high- Kern Wildenthal Research Building Architectural renderings of two buildings planned for North Campus quality scientific research, according to the recently released Nature (NL Building), which is located on Index 2019 Annual Tables. the North Campus at 6000 Harry At the groundbreaking ceremony, to begin the next great project on the Ongoing support from federal agencies such as the National Insti- Hines Blvd. They will be physically UT Southwestern President Dr. Daniel UT Southwestern campus – build- tutes of Health, along with the state of Texas, foundations, individ- connected on some floors, with K. Podolsky spoke to donors, admin- ings that will expand our ability to uals, and corporations, provides nearly $470 million annually to fund the O’Donnell Research Tower also istrators, clinicians, researchers, and respond to those in need of cancer research at UT Southwestern, which also ranked globally among the top adjoined to NL, allowing staff to easily supporters gathered under a canopy 25 biomedical institutions and among the top 25 academic institutions, move among the three buildings. outside the NL Building. “We’re here Please see BUILDINGS on page 7 Please see RANKING on page 7

Nominata goes to Mingjian Du Scientists now on cusp of solving genetic for advances in innate immunity diseases by snipping defective DNA

By Deborah Wormser By James Beltran Growing up in a small village in north- Ben Dupree peered through the microscope at the west China, Mingjian Du became fascinated beating heart cells, awestruck by the implications. with life science while helping on his parents’ These were his cells, edited in the lab to correct a farm and later while studying biology in high genetic flaw that had caused his muscles to deterio- school. rate since childhood, forced him into a wheelchair, “My parents have the best scientific spirits, and perpetuated the prospects of an early death from which they showed in improving crop yields Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). and quality. My mom told me that science is Here he witnessed a breakthrough that changed all around us,” said the recipient of the 2019 the narrative, a realization that after years of despair Nominata Award, the highest honor that and depression, a lifesaving treatment for his condi- UT Southwestern bestows on a student in tion was no longer a far-fetched dream. the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. “It’s unbelievable,” Mr. Dupree, 26, said as he Ben Dupree looks through a microscope during a visit to the Please see NOMINATA on page 11 Mingjian Du Please see GENE EDITING on page 4 lab of Dr. Eric Olson, left.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE PAGE Commencement 2019 Making an Impression Celebrating the Journey Faculty Honors 2-3 Check out some candid moments from Two new pieces of art now More than 80 employees marking 25, Focus: Heart 6 May graduation ceremonies of the greet visitors to South Campus, 30, 35, 40, or 45 years of service at UT Southwestern Medical School and gifts from Nobel Laureate UTSW were honored at a luncheon Class Notes 9 the UT Southwestern Graduate School Dr. Joseph L. Goldstein. during Employee Recognition Week. of Biomedical Sciences. Focus: Brain 10-11 Visit our website at ct.utsouthwestern.edu Page 3 Page 5 Page 9 Page 2 June/July 2019 Cobb elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences critical relationship with these kinases. service. This is a most deserving honor.” By Patrick McGee “ERK1 and ERK2 are downstream of Ras, What she really hopes the laurel will bring Dr. Melanie Cobb, Professor of Pharmacology one of the most commonly mutated oncogenic is what Dr. Gilman made possible for her: more and Associate Director of Basic Research for the proteins in human cancers,” Dr. Cobb said. “The collaboration with the nation’s best scientists. Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Ras/ERK pathway is also essential in embry- “Whenever your name is raised within the Center and a luminary in molecular pharma- onic development – mutations upstream in the scientific community, the possibility of new cology, has been elected to membership in the pathway account for a large number of human collaborations and novel scientific directions American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of birth defects. It’s a crucial crossroad in intracel- can also emerge. Collaboration is what moves so the most prestigious honorary societies in the lular signaling.” much of this work forward,” Dr. Cobb said. world. Dr. Cobb went on to identify more than a ■ She joins the ranks of Thomas Jefferson, dozen other protein kinases, but downplays this Alexander Graham Bell, Bruce Springsteen, Jonas innovative work as something that has become Dr. Beutler, a Regental Professor and Director of Salk, and other Americans who have been elected to almost routine, as scientists can now pluck nearly the Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, holds the the Academy for distinguished, enduring contribu- any molecule they need from a database. She Raymond and Ellen Willie Distinguished Chair in tions over a wide range of disciplines. Founded in said those advances have enabled scientists to Cancer Research, in Honor of Laverne and Raymond 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences use systems approaches not possible earlier. Dr. Willie, Sr. (AAAS) includes more than 250 Nobel Laureates and Cobb said she still maintains a sharp focus on a Dr. Brown, a Regental Professor and Director of 60 Pulitzer Prize winners among its members. mechanistic understanding of protein kinases the Erik Jonsson Center for Research in Molecular The election of more than 200 new members themselves. Genetics and Human Disease, holds The W.A. “We’re still missing a lot of what might be for 2019 was announced by the AAAS in mid- Dr. Melanie Cobb (Monty) Moncrief Distinguished Chair in Choles- April. described as details, but those details are basic terol and Arteriosclerosis Research, and the Paul J. Dr. Cobb leads UT Southwestern’s Cancer Cell Laureate, was so supportive of her work. fundamental mechanisms that will provide new Thomas Chair in Medicine. insight once we identify them,” she said. “For Networks Program and headed a team that discov- “He opened doors for me that led to important Dr. Cobb holds the Jane and Bill Browning, Jr. example, we’re still trying to learn how ERK recog- ered one class of protein kinase enzymes that play collaborations with leaders in the kinase field, Chair in Medical Science. nizes only a handful of protein substrates among critical roles in cancer development. including the Nobel Prize winner Ed Krebs. As Dr. Goldsmith holds the Patti Bell Brown Profes- the hundreds of possible proteins in a cell to carry “Melanie is a pioneer in protein kinase research you might imagine, collaborations such as these sorship in Biochemistry. out specific physiological responses.” who started multiple fields of study that are now would have been extremely difficult to establish Dr. Goldstein, a Regental Professor and Chair pursued by hundreds of other scientists,” said Dr. Dr. Cobb is the 23rd UT Southwestern faculty on my own, given my early career stage,” Dr. of Molecular Genetics, holds the Julie and Louis Elizabeth Goldsmith, Professor of Biophysics and Cobb said. member elected to the AAAS. Others include A. Beecherl, Jr. Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Biochemistry at UT Southwestern. “Many of the Dr. Cobb identified the first mammalian Nobel Laureates Drs. Bruce Beutler, Michael Research, and the Paul J. Thomas Chair in Medicine. proteins that she discovered are now drug targets mitogen-activated protein kinases in the early Brown, and Joseph Goldstein. Dr. Mangelsdorf holds the Alfred G. Gilman for major diseases.” 1990s. She purified them, isolated cDNAs “Melanie is the exemplar of a UT Southwestern Distinguished Chair in Pharmacology and the Dr. Cobb came to UT Southwestern after encoding these proteins, and named them ERK1, faculty member,” said Dr. David Mangelsdorf, Raymond and Ellen Willie Distinguished Chair in finishing her postdoctoral work in 1983. She ERK2, and ERK3, or ERKs. It was a meaningful Chair of Pharmacology. “She puts her heart and stayed in large part because her Chairman at the breakthrough because Ras, an important protein soul into everything she does, from her science Molecular Neuropharmacology in Honor of Harold time, the late Dr. Alfred G. Gilman, a 1994 Nobel involved in cell growth and differentiation, has a to her mentoring, teaching, and institutional B. Crasilneck, Ph.D.

NEWS Q&A with Janelle Browne, new VP of Human Resources at UTSW MAKER newly formed Department of Public By Heather Svokos Safety, and we think you’d be great as the Human Resources Director.” So my Wax receives highest honor in toxicology from In March, Janelle Browne, a leader in the field of health care human resources first job was as an HR Director for Public American College of Medical Toxicology in North Texas, joined UT Southwestern Safety in Santa Fe. From then on, I’ve been in and around HR. Dr. Paul Wax, Professor of Emergency Medicine, has received the Matthew as Vice President for Human Resources J. Ellenhorn Award from the American College of Medical Toxicology and Chief Human Resources Officer. Not many candidates for this job would (ACMT) in honor of lifetime contributions to the specialty of toxicology. Ms. Browne, formerly Vice President have already been as up close and The annual award from ACMT, the largest physician toxicology group for Human Resources at Texas Health personal with Southwestern Health in the world, honors individuals who have made extraordinary contribu- Resources, joined Texas Health in 2008 Resources, the clinically integrated tions to the field in teaching, clinical practice, research, and/or service. Dr. and had oversight of human resources partnership between UTSW and Texas Wax is the 23nd recipient of the award. for the company’s 13 wholly owned Health. Tell us about that. A UT Southwestern faculty member since 2006, hospitals and Texas Health Physicians What a journey that has been; it’s Dr. Wax followed his Presidency of the College by Group. She helped launch Texas Health’s such a unique situation. It takes a lot of serving as the Executive Director of ACMT in 2008. first externally benchmarked employee creativity to keep parallel organizations In that role, he led the College through significant engagement survey and developed prac- going. I always felt like I was a steward growth, including helping it obtain the National tices that helped it become nationally for Southwestern Health Resources. I Grant for Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty recognized as one of the Great Places Janelle Browne was looking after UT Southwestern’s Units, the largest grant the ACMT had ever obtained. To Work. Before that, she had extensive drawn toward learning and under- investment in people as much as I was He co-created the Toxicology Investigators Consor- experience in academia with executive standing the operations and workforce for Texas Health. It’s been an inter- tium (ToxIC) Registry, a patient registry within the Dr. Paul Wax roles at the University of Washington needs. My role and work is: How do I esting learning experience, and I’m ACMT to broaden research in the field. He founded the Health Sciences Center and the Univer- ensure a great work environment and very much invested in the next phase Chemical Agents of Opportunity Course, which has trained over 15,000 sity of New Mexico Health Sciences the right people in that environment of that organization and ensuring that people in chemical terrorism education in the last 15 years. He developed Center. to do that job? I want the HR team to the employees and managers get the the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Subject Matter Expert In her new position, she succeeds be there absolutely supporting every bit support they need. I appreciate places network to provide expert consultation for the Department of Homeland Ivan Thompson, who retired in 2018. of talent management that we need to that take bold moves to create new part- Security’s Chemical Terrorism Risk Assessment. Center Times recently sat down to talk make this organization successful. nerships – I think it’s necessary. Dr. Wax also led the charge to start the College’s Journal of Medical with Ms. Browne about what drew her Toxicology and has been instrumental in ACMT’s expanded relationship to the top Human Resources post at What does a good organizational Last year, we celebrated a milestone with the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the growth of toxicology UT Southwestern. culture look like to you? with our 75th anniversary. How do within addiction medicine and forensic medicine. Culture is really ensuring that you bridge the gaps between the What attracted you to people are acting in each other’s best past, present, and future? “The Awards Committee could not have chosen a more deserving Ellen- UT Southwestern? horn recipient than Paul Wax,” said Dr. Kurt Kleinschmidt, Chief of the interests and also the best for the orga- I respect and understand the history I think about my career decisions nization and the people we serve. My of UT Southwestern. I really appreciate Emergency Medicine Department’s Division of Medical Toxicology. “Paul and where I want to work; I pick wisely. has done more for the advancement of medical toxicology than many role is to support the alignment of the and will learn from those individuals And then I just invest every bit of my organizational mission and goals with who have been here for 20 and 30 years. other specialty leaders combined. He brings an immense amount of exper- blood, sweat, and tears into making a tise and knowledge to our Division and we are honored to work with and each team member’s passion – then And I’m also going to work toward our difference. I love what I do. What most you really have the magic for things to innovation value to meet the workforce learn from him. This is a remarkable achievement not only for Paul but also attracted me to UT Southwestern were for our Division, our Department, and UT Southwestern.” happen. That is reinforced by our insti- needs of the future. the outstanding people. Over the last tutional values – excellence, innova- In April, Dr. Wax received the award at the ACMT’s 2019 Annual Scien- What do you do for fun? few years I have had the opportunity to tion, compassion, and teamwork. tific Meeting in San Francisco, where he presented the Ellenhorn Address. work with UT Southwestern leaders and My husband, Mark, and I enjoy employees in the partnership with Texas We understand there will be a new traveling – with an emphasis on histor- Health. I am now happy to fully support employee engagement survey this ical locations and art, and some beach this outstanding organization and the year. time. I like to read fiction when I get a entire campus. Yes, and it is one very important chance, including thrillers and mystery way employees and UTSW colleagues novels – I love Douglas Preston and Center Times is published by the Office of Communications, How do you wrap your arms around can provide their voice – by taking Lincoln Child. I really like to container Marketing, and Public Affairs at UT Southwestern­ Med­ical Center. all the moving parts of an academic these surveys. We take the surveys seri- garden – I’ve got some flowers and UT Southwestern is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employ- medical center like UT Southwestern? ously, and we learn from them and use some vegetables around the backyard. er. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are As I learn more about the institution’s them. I’d really like to see more than encouraged to apply. We hear you’re a dog person. three-part mission – research, education, 90 percent of the organization partici- Yes, we have always had dogs: Bailey and patient care – I learn more about the pating in the survey. Feedback is impor- President: Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky is a golden retriever who thinks she’s needs of each area. I’m learning what tant. That’s part of your contribution Esther Williams. She’s a good swimmer; Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement: Dr. Marc Nivet the day-to-day challenges are, about the – to close that loop and give feedback. pipelines for the people they need, and she taught herself to swim when she Interim Assistant Vice President for Communications: Jennifer Doren what engages people to stay. How did you get into the HR field? was a puppy. And we have a brand new Director, Institutional Communications: Debbie Bolles I kind of fell into it. I had applied addition! We now have an 11-week-old What excites you about your job? for a new position as a budget analyst golden retriever puppy named Brodie Design Editor: Mark Hoffer I love to build on the success of this in the New Mexico state government, and he has not declared a specialty yet organization with the new growth. I’m and they said: “We actually have a other than chewing everything in sight. June/July 2019 Page 3 Mihalic receives prestigious Piper Professor Award for educators

By Patrick Wascovich About the Piper Professor Award Dr. Angela Mihalic, Dean of Medical The Piper Foundation was created in 1950 by Randall Gordon Piper Students and Associate Dean of and Minnie Stevens Piper. The next year the Foundation launched a loan Student Affairs, has received the 2019 program that allowed economically disadvantaged students in Texas to Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation’s attend college. Piper Professor Award, a prestigious After the Pipers’ deaths in 1955, their Foundation initiated the honor that recognizes outstanding Piper Scholars Program for undergraduates, the Pipers Fellows Program college professors across Texas. for graduate students, and the Piper Professors Program to recognize Dr. Mihalic, a Distinguished inspiring educators. Teaching Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, is the 15th UT South- western faculty member to receive to learn more,” Dr. Mihalic said. skills and judgment, a strong work the elite award, established in 1958 “But I also soon began a career-long ethic, a cheerful and upbeat demeanor, to honor dedication to teaching and passion for finding the gap through and she has the protective maternal outstanding academic achievement. needs assessments, developing curric- instincts of a grizzly bear when it “Dr. Mihalic is universally regarded ulum, delivering it, and evaluating comes to medical students. Dr. Mihalic as an exceptional educator by students Dr. Angela Mihalic receives her award from President Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky. its success. My passion for advising epitomizes, in all respects, the term and peers. Her passion for engaging and mentorship grew as an Academic ‘physician-educator.’” medical students to become lifelong teaching evolved during her medical of the first mentors for the Academic Colleges mentor, and the opportunity ■ learners is matched with a compassion education. Colleges program and as pediatric presented as Associate Dean broadened to guide them to success that exem- “My best friend was a classmate clerkship director, along with multiple the impact I could have to all medical Dr. Ginsburg holds the Marilyn R. plifies the best of UT Southwestern’s and her mother became very ill,” Dr. outstanding teacher honors that students by developing initiatives that Corrigan Distinguished Chair in Pediatric educational mission,” said Dr. Daniel Mihalic recalled. “As she became the include twice receiving the Socrates would have a lasting impact.” Research. K. Podolsky, President of UT South- primary caretaker, I assumed the role Award for clinical teaching and being Dr. Charles Ginsburg, Vice Provost Dr. Podolsky holds the Philip O’Bryan western, who bestowed the honor of teacher and tutor to ensure that selected by students as Commence- and Senior Associate Dean for Educa- Montgomery, Jr., M.D. Distinguished Pres- on Dr. Mihalic May 9 at a Faculty she kept up. I learned that I loved ment Marshall 12 times. tion and former Chair of Pediatrics, idential Chair in Academic Administra- Assembly meeting. “Her contribu- teaching and was so proud when my “This love of teaching grew as I recruited her in 1998 to the Pediatrics tion, and the Doris and Bryan Wildenthal tions to reshaping our curriculum friend continued to do well despite the chose my specialty. Pediatricians are faculty. Distinguished Chair in Medical Science. and robust mentoring reflect the spirit burden she faced.” teachers at the core – helping parents “Angela Mihalic is clearly one of that the Piper Award was designed to A member of Alpha Omega Alpha learn how to care for their infants, how the two or three most outstanding acknowledge.” Honor Medical Society as a student, to support their development, and physician-educators that I have had In accepting the award, Dr. Mihalic she completed her pediatric internship how to prevent illness and injury. And the good fortune to encounter during More online: To read the full story, go said she was overwhelmed by the and residency at Children’s Medical I quickly confirmed my passion for my 42 years in academic medicine,” to ct.utsouthwestern.edu/ctplus/stories/ wonderful honor. The UT South- Center Dallas before being invited teaching as a faculty member. Nothing said Dr. Ginsburg, Professor of Pediat- 2019/piper-award-mihalic.html. western Medical School graduate to join the UTSW faculty in 1998. was as fulfilling as seeing learners’ rics. “She has integrity, grit, passion for of 1995 noted her appreciation for Her tenure includes serving as one excitement, understanding, and desire learning and teaching, superb clinical

Congratulations UTSW graduates of 2019! Commencement ceremonies in May celebrated the graduations of 211 students from UT Southwestern Medical School and 93 students from the UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Victor J. Dzau, President of the National Academy of Medicine, gave the May 7 commencement address for the Medical School at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. Dr. Margaret Phillips, UTSW Chair of Biochemistry, delivered the May 23 keynote for the Graduate School ceremony at the Tom and Lula Gooch Auditorium on South Campus. Both schools held hooding ceremonies on campus. To see more photos from both Commencement ceremonies, go to Center Times Plus at ct.utsouthwestern.edu.

Dr. Yu-San Yang is hooded by Dr. Benjamin Tu at the Commence- ment ceremony of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Dr. Victor J. Dzau of the National Academy of Medicine delivers the Medical School graduate Dr. Evan Wright gets help with regalia from Adrienne Walker, a third-year medical student. Medical School Commencement address.

At the Medical School Commencement, Dr. Marvin J. Stone congratulates Dr. Bethany Werner, Olusoji Adeyemi Afuwape, M.D., Ph.D, walks across the stage at the Tom and Lula Gooch Auditorium recipient of the school’s most prestigious honor, the Ho Din Award. upon receiving his doctorate degree at the Graduate School Commencement. Page 4 June/July 2019 Outgoing Internal Medicine Chair honored as a Giant of Cancer Care

and he played a role in opening the 460-bed By Patrick McGee William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. When Dr. David Johnson talks about his part These were useful steps to advance UT South- in cancer drug development, he says, “I played western’s excellence in research and patient care, a small role.” Others would disagree, however, fundamentals Dr. Johnson promoted when he describing his contributions as giant. became President of the American Society of Clin- On May 30, Dr. Johnson was honored as ical Oncology in 2004. He was the first President one of 15 Giants of Cancer Care at the Amer- of the organization to have had cancer, and he ican Society of Clinical Oncology conference in led the development of guidelines for the forma- Chicago. The award was given by OncLive.com, tion of cancer survivorship groups throughout the website for the Oncology Specialty Group. the nation. Past inductees have included leading cancer Survivorship groups, now common experts from Harvard Medical School, Stanford, throughout the country, focus on steps cancer Yale, and the National Cancer Institute. Dr. John survivors can take to improve physical and Minna, Professor and Director of the Hamon mental health. Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research at Dr. Johnson said he remembers working as a UT Southwestern, was among oncologists young resident, seeing patients with a much older honored as a Giant of Cancer Care in 2015. doctor he respected. The doctor stopped abruptly The honor comes as Dr. Johnson prepares to in the hall once and said to him, “You just can’t step down after nine years of service as UT South- Photography courtesy of OncLive believe how much medicine has changed in the western’s Chair of Internal Medicine. He is an Dr. David Johnson, center, receives his award as one of 15 Giants of Cancer Care. Pictured with him last 40 or 50 years.” oncologist who has been on all sides of cancer; are Michael J. Hennessey Jr., left, President of MJH Associates Inc., the parent company of OncLive, He drove home that night thinking, “That’s what an old person would say.” Now he smiles he’s an attending physician, a leading expert in which bestowed the award, along with Dr. David Gandara, a former winner in the Lung Cancer category. clinical trials, an enthusiastic supporter of cancer broadly when he retells the story. research, and a former cancer patient himself. “I decided I wasn’t going to talk about my expe- “Through a very methodical, systematic “I thought to myself, ‘I’m never going to Dr. Johnson was in his early 40s, treating rience because, once again, I felt it would be unfair testing of drugs in clinical trials, I played a small do that,’” Dr. Johnson said. “Now I find myself cancer patients in Tennessee, when he was diag- to the patient to focus on me when the issue was role along with dozens of other investigators saying, ‘You just can’t believe the changes that nosed with lymphoma. their illness. But what I found out was that the around the world in pushing the ball down the have taken place over the last 40 or 50 years.” “It came as somewhat of a shock, to say chemotherapy nurses were telling my patients, ‘Dr. field so that patients are better off today than ■ they were when I started in this field more than the least,” he said. Dr. Johnson soon had the Johnson has been through chemotherapy, and you Dr. Johnson holds the Donald W. Seldin Distin- should talk to him about it,’” he said, explaining 40 years ago,” he said. chemotherapy he had prescribed for hundreds of guished Chair in Internal Medicine. patients in the past. He lost his hair and was hit that patients felt a sense of comfort knowing that a While he describes it as a small part, it was a Dr. Minna holds Sarah M. and Charles E. Seay with every side effect: neuropathy, neutropenia, doctor had been through it. significant contribution that led UT Southwestern Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research, and the Max fever, infections, and more. He would get his Eventually he found there were times he could to appoint him as the institution’s fourth Chair L. Thomas Distinguished Chair in Molecular Pulmo- chemotherapy through an IV and then roll the IV mention his own fight with cancer as a way to of Internal Medicine. During Dr. Johnson’s time nary Oncology. pole into his office to write grants and papers. He help others. While connecting with patients on as Chairman, he developed cancer again, this made a conscious decision to take a break from a level that few other doctors could match, Dr. time on his tongue, and the cancer was surgically seeing patients. When he returned to caring for Johnson also pushed forward with clinical trials removed by a colleague. He was able to return patients, he found that many of them knew that for several new drugs that would later become to work quickly. He hired tremendous talent, More online: To read the full story and watch a video, he had chemotherapy. staples in lung cancer treatment. producing a net gain of 150 new faculty members, go to ct.utsouthwestern.edu.

Gene editing Continued from page 1 looked at his cells during a recent visit Without dystrophin, the boy’s muscle to a UT Southwestern gene-editing lab. fibers were falling apart – a condition “This could save so many lives one that leads to muscle and heart failure day.” and death by the early 30s, often much Advancements in gene editing, earlier. buoyed by the discovery of CRISPR Debbie Dupree did her best to hide technology that enables precise the prognosis from her son as she editing of the human genome, have began researching what could be done. put scientists on the cusp of solving She read about the latest findings on some of mankind’s most devastating DMD, traveled to conferences, and and baffling disorders. Among them met with doctors and other families is DMD, a muscle-withering disease dealing with the disease. Meanwhile, that UT Southwestern geneticists have the boy’s muscles continued to dete- halted in animals and human cells riorate, and by middle school he was through a single-cut gene-editing tech- using a wheelchair full time. nique. “When a doctor tells you your The next major step: a clinical trial child will most likely be gone within that could change the prognosis for a decade because there is no treatment, the most common fatal genetic disease you go into shock,” Mrs. Dupree said. in children and perhaps set the stage to treat other deadly diseases. ‘Patient Zero’ “Duchenne muscular dystrophy Dr. Pradeep Mammen (left) and Dr. Eric Olson with Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient Ben Dupree. Mrs. Dupree, who had not heard is a holy grail of genetic diseases, and of Duchenne before her son showed we’re so close now to helping people human body.” lay the foundation for the more intricate Olson said. “It is probably surprising to signs of the disease, was dismayed to like Ben,” said Dr. Eric Olson, Chair Dr. Olson’s work is a notable part of gene therapies of common conditions people who realize many scientists will learn of the lack of immediate options of Molecular Biology and an expert a series of programs at UT Southwestern – from epilepsy to autism – involving work their entire lives on a disease and for DMD patients. Yet hope remained. in genetic engineering at UT South- aimed at developing genetic treatments multiple genes that are either mutated not know someone personally who has Scientists had known for decades that western. “Once we make headway with for muscle diseases and a number of or missing. But for now Dr. Olson’s team that disease.” DMD is caused by a defect in any of this condition, CRISPR in principle ultra-rare neurological conditions largely is focused on saving patients like Mr. Mr. Dupree continues to devote the 79 exons that comprise the dystro- could be used for almost any disease in overlooked by the medical field. Dupree, one of about 300,000 people in much of his time to helping others. phin gene, and medical technology had which we know the error in the DNA.” UT Southwestern is trailblazing a the world with DMD. He earned a bachelor’s degree in recently reached a point where these series of clinical trials for the latter in “We’ve come a long way,” said biochemistry – with the initial aim of defects could potentially be corrected which a single healthy gene missing Dr. Olson, whose lab has since edited researching DMD – and is now seeking A rare mutation through gene editing. from the patient’s DNA can be pack- cells taken from other patients with a master’s in social work to counsel Diagnosed at age 9, Mr. Dupree has Coincidentally, one of the world’s aged into a harmless virus and deliv- different exon mutations. those with disabilities. spent most of his life dealing with the leading experts on muscle disease ered into cells. But scientists had to Regarding the prospects of over- demoralizing effects of DMD. He recalls, lived in Mr. Dupree’s neighborhood devise a different approach for DMD Mental strife coming DMD, Mr. Dupree takes even before diagnosis, the daunting and was researching this very strategy. because the dystrophin gene – one Mr. Dupree has come a long way nothing for granted. task of keeping up with other children Dr. Olson invited Mr. Dupree to of the largest in the human body – as well. He overcame early mental “I’m not necessarily hoping for during soccer games or school exercise. UT Southwestern in 2015 to give a cannot fit inside the virus. strife to become a vocal advocate a cure, but for anything that could “Other kids would be running blood sample to test whether a new Dr. Olson’s team developed a CRISPR- for DMD research and takes pride in slow the progression of the disease,” around, and I would be sitting with CRISPR method his lab developed Cas9 technique to fix the gene instead of helping younger patients deal with the he said. “Even if I’m not here to see my hands on my knees trying to catch could work on human cells. adding a healthy copy into the cells. The complexities that lie ahead. the lifesaving treatment, my hope is my breath,” he said. “It was hard to go Dr. Olson’s team followed a series technique requires two components: “I was able to come out of that that people being born now with the through that.” of biochemical steps to convert the an enzyme called Cas9 that cuts DNA dark place through the community of disease can still benefit.” His family later learned this was far sample into heart cells and used and a guide RNA that functions like a support,” Mr. Dupree said. “The people ■ more serious than a lack of athleticism. CRISPR to correct the exon defect molecular GPS device to direct Cas9 to I came to know fostered a feeling that Dr. Olson, also Director at the Hamon Soon he was struggling to get up the stairs. and restore dystrophin. The team then the specific exon to be edited. we’re all in this together and that Standing became a strenuous effort. invited Mr. Dupree to see the results Cas9 and the RNA are each loaded brought me back to where I am today.” Center for Regenerative Science and Medi- At the urging of an occupational through the microscope. into an adeno-associated virus (AAV), He still keeps in touch with Dr. cine, holds the Pogue Distinguished Chair therapist, Mr. Dupree’s mother sought “That was one of the most inspiring with the RNA directing the Cas-9 to Olson, discussing the latest in science in Research on Cardiac Birth Defects, the neuromuscular testing and a biopsy moments of the work, to see Ben’s face the mutated exon where it snips the and sharing personal stories as well. It’s Robert A. Welch Distinguished Chair in that returned disturbing results: He when he saw his cells beating in a dish, DNA. The editing process bypasses the a relationship built on mutual respect Science, and the Annie and Willie Nelson had a rare genetic mutation that producing the dystrophin that his body mutation and enables muscle fibers and admiration, two people who are Professorship in Stem Cell Research. prevents his body from producing cannot make,” Dr. Olson said. “He was to produce dystrophin, with positive overcoming challenges to reach their To read the full story and dystrophin, a protein that acts like a our Patient Zero. Now the challenge is results documented in studies by Dr. ultimate goals. More online: shock absorber for heart and muscle to adapt the technique to safely deliver Olson in dogs, mice, and human cells. “From the first time I met Ben, I watch a video, go to ct.utsouthwestern. fibers when they expand and contract. the gene-editing components into the Success with these treatments could felt we had a real connection,” Dr. edu. June/July 2019 Page 5 Striking art installations change the face of South Campus

By Amy Stumbris enizens of UT Southwestern’s Dr. Donald Seldin Plaza are now greeted by two stunning Dnew sculptures that have effectively changed the face of South Campus. The pieces – Dumna by Ursula von Rydingsvard and an untitled work by Joel Shapiro – were recently gifted to UT Southwestern by Nobel Laureate Dr. Joseph L. Goldstein, Chairman of the Department of Molecular Genetics. These two works are the latest additions to UTSW’s expansive art collection, which enhances the entire campus. “These significant donations elevate UT South- western’s already impressive art collection, and all who enter this campus benefit from the gener- osity of donors who understand the value of art in inspiring and comforting those who work and visit our campus,” said UT Southwestern President Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky. “We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Dr. Goldstein for making these additions possible and to the teams who saw the installation through.” At just under 11 feet tall, Ms. von Rydingsvard’s Dumna is situated atop the berm on Seldin Plaza, nestled among trees and layered flower beds. “Dumna appears to be a natural formation, such as wood or stone, and the effect of its colorful patina changes with the light,” said UTSW Art Curator Courtney Crothers. “It seems to belong where it is, as if it’s always been there.” Ms. von Rydingsvard was born in Germany in 1942 and came to the United States in 1959. Based in Brooklyn, she began her career in the mid-1970s. Untitled work ©2018 Joel Shapiro/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Her work is acclaimed for its rich, earthy texture and is found in important museum collections around the world. Ms. von Rydingsvard sculpted Dumna in 2014 from cedar beams and cast the work in bronze the following year. UTSW’s piece is the last in an edition of three. At the entrance to Seldin Plaza just off Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison Drive stands the untitled bronze piece by Mr. Shapiro. At approximately 21 feet tall and nearly as wide, the piece branches up and out from a single point in the ground. Mr. Shapiro is an American sculptor who lives and works in New York City and is renowned for his dynamic work composed of simple rectangular shapes, often resembling the human form. Commis- sioned especially for UT Southwestern, the piece is compelling in both scale and geometry. “Shapiro’s work has a lyrical quality to it, and this massive piece is animated by its leaning form and cantilevered appendages,” Ms. Crothers said. “The form changes with the viewer’s perspective and imbues UT Southwestern’s ‘front door’ with energy and elegance.” Workers use a crane to lift Dumna and place it on Installation required cooperation among Ms. Dumna by Ursula von Rydingsvard Seldin Plaza. Crothers, employees from Facilities Management and the Office of Safety and Business Continuity, but previously has primarily helped facilitate indoor down Seldin Plaza every day, and having beau- More online: To watch a video on this story and representatives from the Talley Dunn Gallery work. tiful things on campus makes UT Southwestern a and to view more photos on Center Times Plus, in Dallas, who oversaw placement and facing “With outdoor work, I need to be here to make wonderful working environment and is an inspiration of the pieces. A large crane was positioned on go to ct.utsouthwestern.edu/ctplus/stories/2019/ sure that the pieces are placed properly, since they for me. I think a lot of people in the scientific commu- Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison Drive for two days as seldin-plaza-sculptures.html. have both a front and a back,” Ms. Dunn said. “It’s nity value art, as it comforts and welcomes us.” each piece was carefully lifted and assembled in very exciting to be here today as this is the culmina- ■ its new home. Talley Dunn, owner of the gallery. tion of several months of work and a lot of moving Talley Dunn Gallery helped Dr. Goldstein iden- “It’s very exciting because we took a model that parts.” Dr. Goldstein, a Regental Professor, holds the tify the sculptures to be donated and then handled was in Mr. Shapiro’s study and envisioned it at 21 Faculty, employees, students, and visitors Julie and Louis A. Beecherl, Jr. Distinguished Chair in all the logistics of getting the pieces from the artists’ feet tall,” Ms. Dunn said. “His work is in museum watched with curiosity, some stopping along the Biomedical Research, and the Paul J. Thomas Chair studios to Dallas. collections around the world, and this piece was Campus Connector bridge to watch; others asked in Medicine. “The desire was to look at artists who have national made just for UT Southwestern. Both Joel and for details as they walked along the Plaza during the Dr. Podolsky holds the Philip O’Bryan and international followings as well as representation Ursula are at the peaks of their careers, and these installations that took place the week of May 20. Montgomery, Jr., M.D. Distinguished Presidential in museums – and to also identify artists who are pieces are of international significance.” Dr. Alisa Winkler, Associate Professor of Cell Chair in Academic Administration, and the Doris and making work that is appropriate for the site and that Ms. Dunn has had a long-standing relation- Biology, was one of the observers. “It’s a special Bryan Wildenthal Distinguished Chair in Medical Dr. Goldstein and curators were excited about,” said ship with UT Southwestern and with Dr. Goldstein, moment to see these pieces being installed. I walk Science. Arnoldo honored as first recipient of Purdue Chair in Burn Care

in handy with that. You train your ment. His compassion, commitment, developed me so they can make the By Nyshicka Jordan hands to do what they need to do, and skills as a burn doctor exemplify specialty better than it is now – and I Professor of Surgery Dr. Brett but I think it’s more visual than it is in everything Gary believed in,” Laurel know they will,” Dr. Arnoldo said. Arnoldo chose to pursue a medical your hands.” Purdue said. “Gary spent his career Dr. Arnoldo, now 61, said he’ll career later than most physicians. In 2003, Dr. Arnoldo was recruited at Parkland Memorial Hospital doing likely continue performing surgery Initially, he earned a master’s degree in to UT Southwestern by Dr. Gary what he loved, and he saw himself in for the next decade. After that, he’d fine arts – his media were painting and Purdue, a surgical faculty member who Brett. Our family is thrilled that Brett like to continue as a mentor to other drawing – with a goal to become the died in a motorcycle accident in 2010. continues to change lives daily at Park- surgeons. next Picasso. Dr. Arnoldo had previously trained as a land and carries a part of Gary’s legacy Although he forged a nontradi- “But, I fell in love and recognized I fellow under Dr. Purdue. The doctors, with him.” tional path to medicine, Dr. Arnoldo needed to make a living,” Dr. Arnoldo who were both from New York, made a Dr. Arnoldo said he intends to use said many seeds were planted along said. quick connection. the endowment to mostly support the way that led him to his career. After a few years of soul searching “He was more than just a surgeon – research led by early career investiga- Determining your motivation is an following graduate school, he decided he was just a great human being,” Dr. tors or fellows. Dr. Arnoldo is particu- important principle to live by, Dr. to attend medical school in his early Arnoldo said about Dr. Purdue. larly focused on training future burn Arnoldo said, otherwise it is easy to get 30s. An ambitious person, Dr. Arnoldo Dr. Brett Arnoldo Now Dr. Arnoldo will help carry surgeons because of a shortage in the sidetracked. He said his mentor set that was seeking both a challenge and a on Dr. Purdue’s legacy. This year Dr. specialty. At a recent American Burn example. fulfilling career that would serve a ties between artwork and the surgical Arnoldo was appointed the Laurel and Association meeting, the group identi- “I saw Gary Purdue model that and greater good. Once he established career,” Dr. Arnoldo said. “Everyone Gary F. Purdue, M.D. Chair in Burn fied approximately 300 burn surgeons it’s one of the things that attracted me medicine as his focus, he quickly gravi- thinks being a surgeon is all in your Care. The endowment is also named in North America. to working with him. He was just a tated to surgery. As he trained, burn hands, but no – it’s in your eyes. It’s for Dr. Purdue’s widow. “My legacy will be to try to identify really, really good human being. I still surgery excited him the most. looking at something and knowing “I know Gary would be ecstatic that the next generation of burn surgeons miss him; I still think about him a lot,” “For me, there are a lot of similari- what to do with it. The art really comes Brett has been awarded our endow- and develop them the way Dr. Purdue Dr. Arnoldo said. Page 6 June/July 2019

FOCUS: HEART Researchers learn how ‘bad cholesterol’ enters artery walls to cause plaque

ferries LDL particles into and then disease,” said Dr. Shaul, Director of the lial cells, you could potentially decrease By Carol Marie Cropper across the endothelial cells that line Center for Pulmonary and Vascular atherosclerosis and, hence, reduce the UT Southwestern researchers arteries. The study also found that Biology at UT Southwestern. “The incidence of coronary artery disease, have determined how circulating a second protein called dedicator of paper’s findings solve that mystery and heart attack, and stroke,” he said. “bad cholesterol” enters artery walls cytokinesis 4, or DOCK4, partners with counter many scientists’ prior assump- “Such strategies would complement to cause the plaque that narrows the SR-B1 and is necessary for the process. tion that LDL simply enters through current treatments that lower circu- blood vessels and leads to heart attacks In the early stages of atheroscle- sites of damage or disruption in the lating LDL and be particularly valuable and strokes. rosis, LDL that has entered the artery single layer of endothelial cells that in situations in which LDL lowering is Since low density lipoprotein, wall attracts and is engulfed by impor- serves as the artery wall’s protective challenging.” or LDL, cholesterol entry into the tant immune system cells called barrier.” Dr. Chieko Mineo, Associate artery wall drives the development of macrophages that ingest, or “eat,” In their studies, the researchers Professor of Pediatrics and Cell Biology, atherosclerosis, or hardening of the LDL particles. LDL-laden macrophages compared SR-B1 and DOCK4 abun- directed the project with Dr. Shaul, arteries, and atherosclerosis leads to then become foam cells that promote dance in areas of the mouse aorta and Dr. Linzhang Huang, a postdoc- heart attacks and strokes, future treat- inflammation and further the develop- that are prone to plaque formation Illustration of cholesterol causing a toral researcher, was first author of the ments preventing the process may ment of atherosclerotic plaques. compared with regions less likely to narrowing of an artery study. Co-authors include researchers help decrease the occurrence of these The plaques narrow the artery and become atherosclerotic. They found at the Children’s Medical Center life-threatening conditions, said Dr. can become unstable. Plaques that higher levels of SR-B1 and DOCK4 in by the National Institutes of Health Research Institute at UT Southwestern, Philip Shaul, senior author of the study rupture can activate blood clotting and the disease-prone regions long before (NIH). In all three databases, SR-B1 New York University School of Medi- published online recently by Nature. block blood flow to the brain or heart, atherosclerotic plaques formed. This and DOCK4 were more abundant in cine, and Cornell University. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 resulting in a stroke or heart attack. In finding suggests that atherosclerotic atherosclerotic arteries compared with The study received support from cause of death worldwide, and coro- studies of mice with elevated choles- lesions may be more common in normal arteries. the NIH, the AHA, the Henrietta B. nary artery disease (which underlies terol, the investigators determined that particular artery sites because more The researchers are now exploring and Frederick H. Bugher Foundation, heart attacks) and strokes account deleting SR-B1 from the endothelial SR-B1 and DOCK4 are present there, the possibility of using gene therapy to the Rally Foundation for Childhood for over 60 percent of cardiovascular cells lining blood vessels resulted in far said Dr. Shaul, UTSW Vice Chair of turn off or reduce the function of SR-B1 Cancer Research, and The Children’s deaths in the U.S., according to recent less LDL entering the artery wall, fewer Research and Professor of Pediatrics. or DOCK4 in the endothelial cells that Cancer Foundation Inc. statistics from the American Heart foam cells formed, and atherosclerotic To determine if these findings line arteries in order to prevent athero- ■ Association (AHA). plaques that were considerably smaller. might apply to people, the researchers sclerosis, Dr. Shaul said. The study reveals for the first time “At the start of this work it was reviewed data on atherosclerotic and “If you could develop a drug that Dr. Shaul holds the Associates First how a protein called SR-B1 (short for surprisingly unknown how LDL enters normal arteries from humans in three inhibits SR-B1 or DOCK4, or a gene Capital Corporation Distinguished Chair scavenger receptor class B, type 1) the artery wall to cause cardiovascular independent databases maintained therapy that silences them in endothe- in Pediatrics. One-two punch helps solve greatest unmet need in cardiology

a hypothesis they confirmed by duplicating the By Lori Sundeen Soderbergh disease conditions and examining changes at the Nearly half of current hospital admissions molecular level. for heart failure are caused by a type of the “Heart failure is one of only two forms of disease with no treatment options. Cardiology cardiovascular disease that is increasing. It’s researchers at UT Southwestern are changing exploding around the world,” said Dr. Hill, who that reality with a fresh approach, detailed in an is also Director of the Harry S. Moss Heart Center article recently published in Nature. at UT Southwestern and Editor-in-Chief of Circu- “There are two types of heart failure. One is lation. “We dance around the edges of it, treating called HFrEF, for which we have a number of ther- patients’ diabetes, blood pressure, and other apies, including medications, devices, and trans- conditions. With this model, we’ll be able to get plants. The other – HFpEF – has zero options,” to the underlying cause so we can get to the root explained Dr. Joseph Hill, Chief of the Division of the problem.” of Cardiology. “HFpEF is the single greatest The UT Southwestern researchers are currently unmet need in cardiology. Finding a new way to taking steps toward moving into human clin- examine it represents a significant advance, as it ical trials based on findings in their preclinical provides a model necessary to develop and test two-hit model. With time, they expect that all therapies that could save lives worldwide.” heart failure patients will have treatment options. The Centers for Disease Control and Preven- The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Insti- tion estimates that 5.7 million people have heart From left: researcher Soo Young Kim, Chief of Cardiology Dr. Joseph Hill, researcher Gabriele Schiat- tute, part of the National Institutes of Health, failure in the U.S. tarella, and cardiology fellow Dr. Dan Tong. helped fund the study. Researchers from Johns One type of the disease – heart failure with Hopkins University and the University of Chile preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) – is a lethal NO, or nitric oxide synthase. in human patients. They found that combining also contributed to the study. disorder for which there are no effective clinical However, in HFpEF, there is actually too much a high fat diet with a drug that raises blood pres- ■ therapies. The heart muscle becomes too stiff of the NO enzyme. A strike on this target – with sure gave them a “two-hit” model, like a one-two to pump blood efficiently. Most HFpEF patients a medical inhibitor, for example – would solve punch to the disease. Next, the team examined Dr. Hill holds the James T. Willerson, M.D. are obese, have diabetes, and have metabolic the problem. According to Dr. Hill, who is also results of their model at the cellular level and Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Diseases and syndrome. Professor of Internal Medicine and Molecular compared them with human cells. They found the Frank M. Ryburn, Jr. Chair in Heart Research. A second type is heart failure with reduced Biology, there are already FDA-approved drugs that they had replicated the human condition, ejection fraction (HFrEF), which functions differ- that inhibit this NO-synthesize enzyme, which providing scientists an accurate biological picture ently. In HFrEF, also known as systolic HF, the could facilitate developing new treatments that can greatly advance the development of new heart muscle is not able to contract adequately rapidly. treatments. More online: To read more and watch a video, and, therefore, expels less oxygen-rich blood into Dr. Hill’s team looked at current, ineffec- Millions of people worldwide have both go to utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom/articles/ the body. Previous heart failure models of HFpEF tive models of HFpEF and concluded that none obesity and diabetes. The research team believed year-2019/two-hit-model.html. focused on raising the levels of an enzyme called correctly mirrors the realities they see clinically that these two conditions would lead to HFpEF – Translational researcher Busch receives Hartwell biomedical support an effort to change dire statistics and Biomedical Research Award from the funding the investigator will make a said. “I model the light transport in By Patrick Wascovich consequences. private foundation based in Memphis, difference. tissue to enable direct measurement of Patients with severe heart or lung “More than 30,000 children in the Tennessee. The award provides $100,000 “Our approach is to be unique, the blood flow, volume, and oxygen disease sometimes need a mechanical United States have received ECMO. support for three years. selective, thorough, and accountable,” content in the brain or other organs. intervention much like heart-lung Tragically, only about 1 in every 3 of “We are very pleased but not said Dr. Fred Dombrose, President of This technology, ‘diffuse correlation bypass in a form of treatment known these young patients survive without surprised by The Hartwell Foundation’s The Hartwell Foundation. “We provide spectroscopy,’ is available at only as extracorporeal membrane oxygen- some long-term brain damage,” said selection,” said Dr. Charles Whitten, an opportunity for those we support to about five pediatric hospitals world- ation (ECMO). ECMO pumps blood Dr. Busch, Assistant Professor of Anes- Chairman of Anesthesiology and Pain make a difference and to realize their wide.” throughout the body, sometimes for thesiology and Management. “Dr. Busch, a Fulbright hopes and dreams.” By receiving this Individual Award, weeks, delivering oxygen to tissue Pain Manage- and Whitaker scholar, is a researcher Dr. Busch, who holds a secondary UT Southwestern also qualifies for while the heart/lungs heal or while ment at UT who is bringing basic science into the appointment in Neurology and Neuro- a Hartwell Fellowship that provides waiting for transplant. Southwestern. clinical arena.” therapeutics, said he plans to initially $50,000 in postdoctoral support for However, during this lifesaving “Many of the The Hartwell Foundation annually deploy this new technology at Chil- two years to a worthy candidate who process it is difficult to closely monitor fatalities suffer invites a very limited number of U.S. dren’s Health for children on ECMO holds a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate the brain to ensure it gets a sufficient catastrophic brain institutions to nominate candidates and then expand to other critical and will pursue further specialized blood supply. The dangers can be injury. Our study from their faculty who are involved and chronic pediatric illnesses with training in biomedical research rather extreme. The brain naturally maintains seeks to provide in early stage, innovative, and cutting- compromised blood flow. than extend or complete clinical adequate blood flow in healthy people. clinicians a tool Dr. David Busch edge biomedical research that has not “Blood flow in the brain may be training. In critically ill patients on ECMO, to enable real- yet qualified for significant outside critically dependent on the ECMO ■ those mechanisms can be disrupted, time individualized adjustment of funding. pump settings, yet currently there are leading to injury from blood flow that ECMO settings to optimize the health Selection criteria include the trans- no good ways to monitor the adequacy Dr. Whitten holds the Margaret Milam is too high or too low. of the patient’s brain.” formative nature of the proposed inno- of flow during ECMO. Clinicians fall McDermott Distinguished Chair in Anes- With support from The Hartwell Dr. Busch’s ECMO autoregulation vation, the institutional commitment back on measurements like blood thesiology and Pain Management, which Foundation, Dr. David Busch is work was one of 12 investigations selected to provide encouragement and tech- pressure of the whole body instead of was partially used to support Dr. Busch’s applying optical spectroscopic tools in to receive a 2018 Hartwell Individual nical support, and the extent to which measuring brain health directly,” he early research. June/July 2019 Page 7 Graduate School alumna’s passion for neuroscience leads to Ida Green Award

“They really wanted me to become robust research accomplishments,” By Nyshicka Jordan a doctor and practice medicine,” Dr. said Dr. Jane Johnson, Professor of Neuroscientist Dr. Bishakha Mona Mona said. “Now they understand that Neuroscience and Pharmacology and wants to find out how sensations such I am not running away from saving Dr. Mona’s dissertation adviser. as pain or itch are transmitted to the lives, just taking a different approach.” Dr. Mona graduated in May and brain – an answer that resides in the While she had always been inter- has stayed on at UT Southwestern. neurons. In her enthusiasm for scien- ested in neuroscience, Dr. Mona In addition, she has taken a position tific discovery, she wants others to be became particularly captivated by the with a nonprofit foundation that just as curious about why those cells function of the brain while attending provides funding for research in cancer matter and care about the clinical college at Birla Institute of Technology prevention. In the future, she wants to potential of such findings. and Science, Pilani. further educate the public on the role “What scientists are trying to do is In her dissertation research, she of research by managing a scientific help people and develop therapies by reported on developmental mecha- nonprofit. better understanding disease and their nisms of neuronal cell fate specifica- The Ida M. Green Award is development. We are trying to increase tion in spinal cord circuit formation. presented by Southwestern Medical awareness about the importance of (This is the process by which neurons Foundation and includes a $2,000 scientific research,” Dr. Mona said. become what they are – for example, prize. In April, Dr. Mona was awarded how a stem cell becomes a particular “Like Ida Green, Dr. Mona serves as the Ida M. Green Award. The honor type of neuron that may provide a wonderful role model for women,” is given to a female student of the inhibitory or excitatory information said Kathleen M. Gibson, President and UT Southwestern Graduate School of into a network.) These discoveries Rust E. Reid, Vice President of the Cecil and Ida Green Foundation, and Kathleen CEO of Southwestern Medical Founda- Biomedical Sciences who has demon- were published in a first-author study M. Gibson (right), President and CEO of Southwestern Medical Foundation,­ pres- tion. “Her perseverance and intellect, strated scholastic excellence and in Developmental Biology and a co-first ent the 2019 Ida M. Green Award to Dr. Bishakha Mona. combined with her service in helping outstanding citizenship in line with author article in eLife. Future research other young women in science, is to be the values and mission of the Medical discoveries in the field could poten- ests in STEM fields. At UT Southwestern, Dr. Mona has celebrated. While Dr. Mona’s accom- Center. tially mean new therapies for patients “When I was a young student, I displayed leadership by organizing plishments are remarkable on their Dr. Mona, a native of Bihar, India, with a wide range of conditions, from didn’t really have female role models events to help trainees improve their own, they are even more powerful traveled to the United States to pursue psoriasis to spinal cord injuries. like that. That is why I would like to science communication skills. She also when leveraged by mentoring others her research career goals at UT South- Besides her dedication to research, encourage young minds and provide was involved in the 2014 creation of in their scientific progress. We are very western. She comes from a family of Dr. Mona is committed to supporting guidance wherever I can,” she said. the Science Policy, Education, and proud to have Dr. Mona as the winner physicians – her mother is a gynecolo- younger scientists. She started Today, she is glad there are more Communication Club and has served of the 2019 Ida Green Award.” gist, her father an anesthesiologist, and mentoring girls as a college student women in science and academia to as President since 2016. ■ her little sister a physician who has yet in India, and in Texas, she has worked provide inspiration for girls to pursue “Dr. Mona is a role model for to choose a specialty. Dr. Mona’s deci- with high school girls through MAGIC careers in science. “I believe in empow- other graduate students as she gener- Dr. Johnson holds the Shirley and sion to become a research scientist was (More Active Girls in Computing), an erment of women and I want to be a ously shares her time and efforts with William S. McIntyre Distinguished Chair one her parents did not embrace at first. organization that supports girls’ inter- person driving that,” she said. community service while maintaining in Neuroscience.

Drs. James Amatruda and Genevieve Kendall use zebrafish as a model to study childhood cancer. Ongoing support from multiple sources provides nearly $470 million annually to fund innovative research programs such as this at UT Southwestern.

Ranking Continued from page 1 according to the 2019 Nature Index listings. Other peer institutions on the global listings include Harvard, Stanford, Yale, MIT, and the National Institutes of Health in the United States, along with the Chinese Academy of Sciences in China, the University of Oxford in England, and the Max Planck Society in Germany. “This respected ranking reflects UT Southwestern’s consistent strength in publishing research that advances our scientific under- standing of disease at the biological, cellular, and molecular levels, which is fundamental to illuminating viable pathways to propel therapeutic treatments,” said Dr. W. P. Andrew Lee, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Dean, UT Southwestern Medical School. “Faculty success evolves from UT Southwestern’s emphasis on cultivating an atmosphere of rigorous science through Breaking ground for two towers on North Campus were (left to right): longtime donors Peter O’Donnell Jr. and Annette Simmons; multidisciplinary collaboration where scientists can perform at former cancer patient Morgan Aaron and her mother, Dawn; and UT Southwestern’s Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky (President), Dr. Joseph their best.” Takahashi, and Dr. Carlos Arteaga. UT Southwestern faculty members have received six Nobel Prizes, and its faculty includes 22 members of the National Academy Robert Timmerman had performed the of Sciences, 17 members of the National Academy of Medicine, 16 Buildings Continued from page 1 treatment that saved her daughter’s life, members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 15 Howard said Dawn. “Today Morgan is healthy. She Hughes Medical Institute Investigators, and two recipients of the care. Our researchers, working with treating and curing cancer, added Dr. is cancer-free.” prestigious Breakthrough Prize. The Medical Center houses one of learners, will also be able to make discov- Carlos Arteaga, Director of the Simmons “Reason and logic say I should not be HHMI’s 12 principal laboratories nationwide, has four HHMI Faculty eries to improve the treatment, cure, and Cancer Center, which will be expanding standing here before you all today,” said Scholars on campus, and has more than 100 early career researchers, prevention of all the forms of brain disease from the clinical buildings nearby. He Morgan. “You brought me back to life.” who have come to UT Southwestern through the Medical Center’s that affect 50 million Americans,” he said. said the new facility would triple current acclaimed Endowed Scholars Program in Medical Science, subse- He thanked event attendee Annette cancer care capabilities on campus, ■ quently establishing themselves as leaders in their fields. Simmons and her late husband, Dallas providing added space for multidisci- “Research is conducted every day in hundreds of labs across businessman Harold C. Simmons, for plinary care, private treatment rooms, Dr. Arteaga, also Associate Dean of campus, in which established faculty members, early career longtime, generous support that has genetic counseling, imaging, physical Oncology Programs and Professor of Internal researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students work tire- furthered cancer research and care at medicine, clinical trials, supportive care, Medicine, holds The Lisa K. Simmons Distin- lessly to discover the underlying causes of disease and ways in which UT Southwestern. He also thanked Edith and telemedicine. guished Chair in Comprehensive Oncology. and Peter O’Donnell Jr. for their decades “We expect this outpatient cancer care we can improve health and extend life,” said Dr. David Russell, Vice Dr. Haley, Professor of Internal Medicine, of giving and generosity to help launch tower to be not only the exceptional desti- Provost and Dean of Research. holds the Charles Cameron Sprague, M.D. the O’Donnell Brain Institute to advance nation for those with a cancer diagnosis in The UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Chair in Clinical Oncology. brain science. When it was time to lift the Dallas and in surrounding areas seeking the with more than 950 predoctoral and postdoctoral students, Dr. Patel is Assistant Professor of Neuro- educates biomedical scientists, engineers, clinical researchers, and shovels of soil, Annette Simmons and Mr. latest standards of care, but also a shining logical Surgery and Neurology and Neurother- counselors. The Graduate School has two Divisions: Basic Science O’Donnell were called on to share in the light of clinical investigation, innovation, apeutics. and Clinical Science, which together offer 12 programs leading to moment. and progress,” Dr. Arteaga said. Dr. Podolsky holds the Philip O’Bryan the Ph.D. degree – Biological Chemistry; Biomedical Engineering; The Research Tower will help Toward the end of the event, Dr. Montgomery, Jr., M.D. Distinguished Presi- Cancer Biology; Cell and Molecular Biology; Clinical Psychology; UT Southwestern attract the best and Podolsky introduced Morgan Aaron and dential Chair in Academic Administration, Genetics, Development and Disease; Immunology; Integrative the brightest research talent, top-flight her mother, Dawn, to share their personal Molecular and Biomedical Sciences; Molecular Biophysics; Molec- faculty, and the most outstanding Ph.D. stories of how far UT Southwestern’s cancer and the Doris and Bryan Wildenthal Distin- ular Microbiology; Neuroscience; and Organic Chemistry. In addi- students in the country, said Dr. Joseph and brain treatments have already come. guished Chair in Medical Science. tion, an M.S. degree and graduate certificate are offered in Clinical Takahashi, Chair of Neuroscience. “More Morgan was 28 years old in 2016 Dr. Takahashi, also Professor of Neurosci- Science. space means we can take on more projects when she was diagnosed with stage 4 ence, holds the Loyd B. Sands Distinguished and discoveries,” he told the crowd, and breast cancer that had spread to her brain, Chair in Neuroscience. ■ unite researchers, faculty, students, and resulting in five brain tumors. Dr. Timmerman, Professor of Radiation Dr. Lee holds the Atticus James Gill, M.D. Chair in Medical Science. clinical specialists from the O’Donnell Within days of her diagnosis, Morgan’s Oncology and Neurological Surgery, holds Dr. Russell holds the Eugene McDermott Distinguished Chair in Brain Institute. UT Southwestern care team comprised of the Effie Marie Cain Distinguished Chair in Molecular Genetics. Great strides are being made in Dr. Barbara Haley, Dr. Toral Patel, and Dr. Cancer Therapy Research. Page 8 June/July 2019 UTSW researchers find form drives function in cancer proliferation

on cell growth in the mutated cells, the control cell growth,” Dr. Mohan said. By Deborah Wormser researchers said. “It resembles catching the signaling A new study finds that the protein In 2012, laboratories at Yale and at molecules in a net. This raises the possi- responsible for the crawling move- MD Anderson Cancer Center indepen- bility of restoring the chemotherapy ments of cells also drives the ability of dently isolated the Rac1 mutation in response by blocking the assembly of cancer cells to grow when under stress. melanoma. About 10 percent of mela- these dense actin sheets,” she added. The protein is actin, which is also noma patients carry the mutation. Beyond controlling cell shape and a key component of the contrac- “In 2014, the MD Anderson group enabling cell migration, the actin tion apparatus of muscles. The link showed that this mutation is among cytoskeleton is also actively involved between cell movement and signaling the culprits behind chemotherapy in regulation of cell signaling, Dr. is through the cell’s actin cytoskel- resistance in skin cancer cells,” said Danuser added. The Danuser lab is eton – chains of actin that dynami- study lead author Dr. Ashwathi (Abbee) now working to better understand cally assemble and disassemble to aid Mohan, who recently received her how cancer cells know when to turn locomotion in cancerous and noncan- Ph.D. from the Cancer Biology Grad- on and off this form-driven signaling cerous cells. uate Program and UT Southwestern’s machinery. Although the actin cytoskeleton was Medical Scientist Training Program. “If we can figure out how the cells known to be involved in the spread, The UTSW study identifies for the first access this pathway, we can block what or metastasis, of cancer cells, the fact time a reason for the mutation’s ability we have found to be a critical escape that the cell migration machinery can to encourage drug resistance and the route that cancer cells use to resist drive cancer cell growth has never growth of cancer cells – and it’s a struc- drug treatment,” Dr. Danuser said. before been described, said Dr. Gaudenz tural one. “This study reaffirms the concept that Danuser, UT Southwestern Chair of the Drs. Ashwathi (Abbee) Mohan (left) and Gaudenz Danuser By combining gene editing, molec- cell shape is instrumental in driving Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics ular cell biology, advanced live-cell signaling – that by simply spreading and Professor of Bioinformatics and tering such stresses, the actin mecha- grow when exposed to chemotherapy, imaging, and computer vision, the out, cell signals can be silenced and Cell Biology. Dr. Danuser is the corre- nism affects signaling to promote drug while cells with normal Rac1 could researchers learned that when cells sequestered. Cancer exploits this sponding author of the study in Devel- resistance or aggressive metastatic not – even though both kinds of cells with the Rac1 mutation are stressed, ability to drive both drug resistance opmental Cell that identifies a novel role growth. remained cancerous. When injected the actin cytoskeleton creates enlarged and metastasis.” for actin in cell signaling. In their studies, the researchers into mice, cells carrying the mutation sheet-like protrusions called lamel- The study received funding from The study demonstrates that form took human skin cancer (melanoma) made much larger metastatic nodules lipodia. Noncancerous cells or cancer the National Institutes of Health, the drives function in a mechanism that cells that contained a mutation in the than cells carrying the normal version cells without the mutation extend Human Frontier Science Program, and behaves one way in both noncan- Rac1 gene linked to chemotherapy- of the gene. Interestingly, cancer cells much smaller lamellipodia to initiate The Welch Foundation. cerous cells and in unstressed cancer resistant tumors and used CRISPR/ with or without the mutation grew at migration. “These sheets – lamellipodia ■ cells but acts differently in cancer Cas9 gene editing to snip out the the same rate, as long as they were not – (in stressed cancer cells that have the cells that encounter stressors such as single-base pair mutation and revert exposed to chemotherapy or remained mutation) are so massive that they Dr. Danuser holds the Patrick E. chemotherapy or the need to adapt to it to the normal gene. In a petri dish, in the primary tumors. Hence, it is the sequester and turn off tumor suppressor Haggerty Distinguished Chair in Basic a new environment. When encoun- cells with the mutation continued to stress of a new environment that turns molecules, which otherwise would Biomedical Science.

New screening approach helps identify sources of Takahashi rare genetic diseases in children Continued from page 1 over the last 25 years. I share the credit for this prize with all my students, post- By Katie Regan docs, and staff who contributed to this Scientists at the Children’s Medical Center work.” Research Institute at UT Southwestern (CRI) are In the 1990s, Dr. Takahashi’s lab using a new approach to pinpoint the causes of was analyzing hundreds of mice with rare genetic diseases in children and identify treat- random genetic alterations and looking ment options faster than with traditional methods. for any that displayed abnormal circa- The new approach combines DNA sequencing and dian behaviors. His team gave mice a chemical analysis called metabolomics to identify access to running wheels and noticed mutant genes that cause defective metabolic path- they ran every 23.7 hours, except for ways in patients. one: a mouse that used the wheel on a “We hope our new technique will increase the 25-hour cycle. After breeding the mouse speed with which we can pinpoint the defective and determining its altered circadian gene in patients evaluated in our clinics at Children’s behavior was genetic, Dr. Takahashi’s Health,” said Dr. Ralph DeBerardinis, Professor at team spent three years tracking down CRI and of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern, where which gene was altered and named it he is Chief of the Division of Pediatric Genetics and Clock. Metabolism. He also directs CRI’s Genetic and Meta- Dr. Takahashi’s lab went on to bolic Disease Program (GMDP). discover that Clock is intertwined with “Pinpointing the mutation allows us to provide an extensive list of biochemical path- useful information to the family about the disease ways. It’s even involved in metabolism, and its risk to other family members. In some cases, as the group found while investigating the information either points to an existing therapy Dr. Ralph DeBerardinis why mice with Clock mutations become or helps us to devise new ones,” Dr. DeBerardinis obese with age. Dr. Takahashi is now added. gene, they used a combination of DNA sequencing patient had a genetic defect in one enzyme known researching whether the gene may also Diseases with a genetic basis account for a large and metabolomics, a technique that can detect as LIPT1. We were able to confirm our new screening influence lifespan. number of illnesses and mortality in children and hundreds of small chemical compounds in the blood. technique worked by using cultured cells from the “UT Southwestern is proud to have result in about 25 percent of pediatric hospital Researchers compared the level of each metabolite patient and a mouse model to show that the muta- this international leader in neurosci- admissions. The largest subset of these genetic found in the patients to healthy subjects using a tech- tion we identified in the patient caused the metabolic ence discovery as a member of its diseases are known as inborn errors of metabolism nique called untargeted metabolomic profiling. This disturbances and prevented normal development.” faculty,” said Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky, (IEMs). Although individually these diseases are rare, technique allowed researchers to detect 20 times as Dr. DeBerardinis credits the unique setup of the President of UT Southwestern. collectively they affect a disproportionate number of many metabolites in the blood as would a conven- GMDP for the discovery. “With support from Chil- “Dr. Takahashi’s research has given us children, he said. IEMs are caused by defects in genes tional metabolic screen. This approach provided dren’s Health and UT Southwestern, we’ve tripled the fundamental insights into how circa- that help the body metabolize or break down the researchers with a granular view of the metabolic size of our clinical group and built a research program dian rhythms affect human health sugars, proteins, and fats in food. Defective metabo- alterations in the patient. to handle human genomics and metabolomics data. and behavior, and it provides avenues lism can lead to chemical imbalances that can cause Our scientists and doctors work side by side to eval- for new approaches to such diverse death or permanent disability in children, unless uate patients, learn about their diseases, find new and prevalent conditions as insomnia, identified and treated at a young age. mutations, and think creatively about developing diabetes, and cancer.” Encouragingly, many IEMs are treatable through better treatments. Seeing patients in the clinic keeps Dr. Takahashi is also a Professor of dietary modifications and medical therapy once our research focused and ensures we are asking the Neuroscience with UT Southwestern’s the genetic basis of the disease has been identified. right questions. In the past five years, we have identi- Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute. A handful of IEMs are diagnosed through newborn fied new disease genes, provided accurate diagnostic ■ screening, but the majority are diagnosed only after information to families, and, in a few cases, helped a child becomes ill. Because these diseases are so patients find better treatments tailored to their muta- Dr. Podolsky holds the Philip O’Bryan rare, it can take months or even years to establish tions. We are very excited about what we will learn in Montgomery, Jr., M.D. Distinguished Presi- the correct diagnosis, and the process often involves the next few years.” dential Chair in Academic Administra- invasive procedures like muscle or liver biopsies. Dr. Min Ni (third from left) and colleagues A practicing physician, Dr. DeBerardinis is a tion, and the Doris and Bryan Wildenthal “IEMs are traditionally hard to identify,” Dr. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Investi- Distinguished Chair in Medical Science. DeBerardinis said. “Many of these diseases have over- Researchers then used advanced DNA sequencing gator and is also affiliated with the Eugene McDer- Dr. Takahashi holds the Loyd B. Sands lapping symptoms, so even if you suspect an IEM, it techniques to look for mutations among the nearly mott Center for Human Growth and Development Distinguished Chair in Neuroscience. is often difficult to pinpoint the problem. There are 20,000 human genes. Next, they combined the list of and the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer over 400 known IEMs and several thousand genes metabolic alterations and the list of mutated genes to Center, both at UT Southwestern. involved in human metabolism. Identifying the determine which mutation could explain the meta- The National Institutes of Health, the HHMI, The mutated gene in a child with an IEM – particularly a bolic differences present in the patient. Welch Foundation, and donors to the Children’s More online: To read the full story new or recently discovered disease – is like hunting “Performing metabolomics in parallel with DNA Medical Center Foundation supported the research. and view a video on this story, go to for a needle in a haystack.” studies makes it possible to pinpoint disease-causing ■ utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom/ In the study, published recently in Cell Reports, mutations much faster than the DNA studies alone,” articles/year-2019/takahashi- researchers identified the gene responsible for a said Dr. Min Ni, lead author of the study and Assis- Dr. DeBerardinis holds the Joel B. Steinberg, M.D. rare IEM that causes abnormal brain development, tant Professor at CRI and of Pediatrics at UT South- Chair in Pediatrics and is a Sowell Family Scholar in circadian-rhythms-award.html. seizures, and severe metabolic acidosis. To find the western. “In this case, it helped us determine that the Medical Research. June/July 2019 Page 9

CLASS Patients, donors celebrate life at Transplant Reunion

By Nyshicka Jordan NOTES On the 14th floor of the T. Boone Pickens Biomedical Building, Jackie Kelly and Jackie Schoonover chatted like the good friends they are. IN MEMORIAM But there was something very special, and very Medical School powerful, at the heart of this gathering. James R. Matthews, M.D. (’57) Gratitude overtook the room as “the two Jerold Dennis Michaelson, M.D. (’67) Jackies” joined dozens of transplant patients, organ donors, and their families, who all came together Housestaff April 26 to attend the annual UT Southwestern Briant Gray Herzog, M.D. (Obstetrics and Transplant Reunion. Gynecology) The celebration of life is made possible each Stuart Ronald Stone, M.D. (Obstetrics and year because of the selfless decisions made by Gynecology) donors or their families. “None of us would be in this room tonight if there weren’t organ donors. So, it’s important not MEDICAL SCHOOL just to sign up on your driver’s license, but also Class of 1987: Mark Hancock, M.D., joined consider being a living donor if you’re ever called the medical staff of the Dreiling/Schmidt upon,” said Dr. Parsia Vagefi, Chief of the Division Cancer Institute at Hays Medical Center, of Surgical Transplantation and Associate Professor a part of The University of Kansas Health of Surgery. Kidney donor Jackie Schoonover and kidney recipient Jackie Kelly have celebrated their transplantation System. Dr. Vagefi joined UT Southwestern in 2018, journey each year since 2012 at the Annual Transplant Reunion. and under his leadership, liver and kidney trans- Class of 1988: Peter A. McCullough, M.D., plant volume increased by 66 percent that first somebody living,” Mrs. Harrell said. “But Tod and More online: For the full story and more photos, go M.P.H., was named Editor-in-Chief of year. UTSW’s living-donor programs offer better everyone convinced me that it was a gift he wanted to Center Times Plus at ct.utsouthwestern.edu. Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine. For over outcomes because live donation allows patients to give.” a decade, Dr. McCullough has served on to undergo surgery sooner, with organs from the the editorial board and as Co-Editor of the healthiest of donors. At the event, several attendees Last year, Mrs. Kelly published a book about her Giving thanks journal. Dr. McCullough oversees cardi- shared their transplant journeys. experience called Going Through: The Journey. In 2018, UTSW physicians performed 289 ology training, education, and research for heart, kidney, liver, or lung transplant surgeries. Baylor Health Care System and is Vice Chief A tale of two Jackies Paired match The Transplant Reunion is not only an opportunity of Medicine at Baylor University Medical Jackie Schoonover felt powerless. It was 2005, Longtime friends Julie Harrell and Tod Hollis to celebrate survival, but a chance for patients to Center in Dallas. and her sister was dying of cancer. were first-timers to the reunion, having undergone thank everyone involved in their care. Class of 1996: Kellie Flood, M.D., was recog- “I was by her bedside when she took her last transplantation last September. Mr. Hollis met Mrs. Gynovel Henry, a heart transplant recipient, nized as one of Alabama’s premier geriat- breath, and I stood helplessly – I couldn’t help her,” Harrell’s husband in the Army, and their families shared his story as a reunion speaker. rics health professionals by the American Ms. Schoonover said, choking back tears. remained close. So when Mrs. Harrell needed a Mr. Henry’s heart was weakened when he Geriatrics Society (AGS). She was honored Years later, in 2012, she found herself in a posi- kidney transplant, Mr. Hollis didn’t hesitate. contracted rheumatic fever in 1984 as a teenager. at the AGS 2019 Annual Scientific Meeting. tion to save a friend. She seized it. “It was the right thing to do, and a pleasure and He had heard about UT Southwestern’s reputa- Dr. Flood serves as an Associate Professor at She and Jackie Kelly had met in church years honor to do it,” Mr. Hollis said. tion for quality care, so in 2005 he moved from the University of Alabama at Birmingham before. Mrs. Kelly’s health battle began in 2002 Although Mr. Hollis had originally planned to Phoenix to Dallas specifically to be cared forhere. (UAB) as well as Associate Chief Medical when her kidneys started to fail and she was placed donate directly to Mrs. Harrell, they were not a By January 2018, his health deteriorated, landing and Quality Officer for Geriatrics and Care on dialysis. She improved and was removed from compatible match. Instead, Mr. Hollis’ kidney was him in the hospital, where he remained until his Transitions at UAB Hospital. dialysis six months later, but then her kidneys sent to a recipient in Minnesota, and their donor’s heart transplant that March. failed again five years after that. kidney was sent to Dallas for Mrs. Harrell in a Looking back on all the trials of his health Class of 1999: Sanaz Cordes, M.D., was named When she found herself close to death three paired exchange or “kidney swap.” battle, Mr. Henry said he is particularly grateful to Chief Executive Officer of DotCom Therapy, times, several of Mrs. Kelly’s family members and “It was a humbling experience that people the medical teams who have cared for him, and an industry leader in teletherapy for speech, Ms. Schoonover offered to donate a kidney. The would be willing to do that,” Mrs. Harrell said. during his speech, he specifically gave a shoutout occupational, and behavioral health latter was the right match. She had previously been diagnosed with poly- to his UTSW nurses and physicians. services. Dr. Cordes is a known advocate for Almost seven years after their 2012 operations, cystic kidney disease, so Mrs. Harrell knew one day “This isn’t about me; this is about the work that female entrepreneurs in the venture-backed both women say they are in good health and that she would need a kidney transplant. Her mother they do,” Mr. Henry said. “They put a lot of time health tech space. Prior to joining DotCom the experience drew them even closer. “We’re also had the condition and had to have a trans- and work into what they do. They have families, Therapy, Dr. Cordes was the founder and sisters for real,” Mrs. Kelly said. plant more than 20 years before. Because of her just like us. They have ups and downs, just like us. principal at Value Prop Shop, a consulting Ms. Schoonover said she’s hopeful her act can history, Mrs. Harrell had been prepared mentally Sure, they come here and do their jobs, but they firm focused exclusively on working with inspire others to consider live donation. for her fate – except she had always expected the come here to save lives.” health tech startups. “You have to know within yourself this is some- organ would come from a deceased donor. She ■ thing you want to do. Donating is not for glory – said she initially felt guilty about accepting such a GRADUATE SCHOOL it’s because you’re able to help someone,” she said. generous offer from her friend. Dr. Vagefi holds the Ernest Poulos, M.D. Distin- Class of 1981: Raymond DuBois, M.D., Ph.D., Now the women have a bond they call spiritual. “It was very hard for me to take a kidney from guished Chair in Surgery. FAACR, was awarded the Margaret Foti Award for Leadership and Extraordinary Achievements in Cancer Research by the American Association for Cancer Research for his studies in the early detection, inter- Celebrating decades of service ception, and prevention of colorectal cancer. Dr. DuBois is the Dean of the College of More than 80 longtime UT Southwestern employees – including two who have Medicine at the Medical University of South worked here 45 years – gathered at the Quarter Century Club luncheon held in their Carolina (MUSC) and a Professor in the honor during Employee Recognition Week in May. Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Medicine. In addition to his appointment at MUSC, Dr. DuBois is an Editor-in-Chief of Cancer Prevention Research and serves as Vice Chair of the Stand Up To Cancer Scientific Advisory Committee.

FORMER HOUSESTAFF Fellowship alumnus Jonathan D. Leffert, M.D., was elected Chancellor of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists at the 28th Annual Scientific & Clinical Congress in Los Angeles.

Residency alumna Suzanne Rybczynski, M.D., was appointed to Associate CMO of Kennedy Krieger Institute, an internationally renowned organization with the mission of improving 45-year-service honorees Gwen Griffin, left, and Bernadine “Bernie” Mary Ann Kelly, Cassandra Watkins, Andrea Casteel, Kimberly Taylor, Judy the lives of children and adolescents with disor- Wafford enjoy the event. Newell, and Charlotte Washington pose for a photo. ders and injuries of the brain, spinal cord, and musculoskeletal system. Dr. Rybczynski was most recently Medical Director of the Insti- tute’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit and is also a clinician at Kennedy Krieger and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

For the latest updates on alumni events and news, visit engage.utsouthwestern.edu/alumni and follow @utswalumni on Facebook. Please send your Class Notes contribu- tions or address changes to the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9009, email Steve and Jeanne Seitz celebrate 40 years of UTSW service together. Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky, President, congratulates Pattina Traylor. [email protected], or call 214-648- 4539. Page 10 June/July 2019

FOCUS: BRAIN Exploration of the ultimate frontier: The brain

This spring’s Carolyn P. Horchow Women’s Health Symposium focused on brain research. First-time symposium attendee Shelly Heins poses a question to Drs. Camp and Czysz.

dollar initiative that is putting scientists closer to understanding gies had emerged that could lead to improved treatment of By James Beltran and Carol Marie Cropper some of mankind’s most perplexing and devastating conditions. brain disorders – which the World Health Organization has esti- Southwestern scientists have discovered a molec- President Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky discussed the O’Donnell mated affect up to 1 billion people. ular origin of Alzheimer’s disease, led national Brain Institute’s progress and goals at the Carolyn P. Horchow “Of course, important contributions to understanding and UT efforts to improve depression treatment, and Women’s Health Symposium this spring, an annual campus treating the brain will be made at many of our peer institutions now are developing gene therapies for children with the rarest event that this year focused on talks from O’Donnell Brain around the world in the coming years,” Dr. Podolsky told guests of deadly neurological diseases. These are a few of the distin- Institute scientists on topics ranging from solving the mysteries in opening the event. “But UT Southwestern is committed to guishing achievements of faculty associated with the Peter behind everything from Alzheimer’s disease and memory to being in the vanguard. The Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, which is seeking to position depression, brain cancer, and autoimmune disease. is driving an ambitious vision and top priority at UT South- UT Southwestern as a national leader in brain research and care. Dr. Podolsky provided a retrospective on why the O’Donnell western. And we’re making the investments to deliver on that UT Southwestern’s commitment has evolved into a billion- Brain Institute was created in 2015, noting that new technolo- vision.”

Old foes in a new light: Inquiries Pathfinders: Illuminating the landscape

into Alzheimer’s disease of mental health For the more than 5 million Americans It’s an exciting time in the field of mental with Alzheimer’s, as well as for caregivers, health, with new treatments emerging and prom- this common form of dementia is devas- ising research underway. tating – a disease with no cure and even- Just this March, the Food and Drug Administra- tual loss of mental function. tion approved a new drug for treatment-resistant Today, treatments can only help depression that relies on a completely new approach lessen symptoms, said Dr. Marc Diamond, and is capable of creating results within days – even Director of the Center for Alzheimer’s and hours in some patients – said Dr. Andrew Czysz, Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT South- a fourth-year psychiatry resident and one of the western’s O’Donnell Brain Institute. But Symposium presenters. The drug, esketamine, is despite the disease’s grim trajectory, the administered as a nasal spray in conjunction with leader in Alzheimer’s research told those an oral antidepressant. attending the Symposium that he is opti- The drug is generating excitement for its quick mistic. impact and all-new approach. Unlike many existing Dr. Diamond’s vision for the future? antidepressants that work on the neurotransmit- “We will no longer really see dementia in ters serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine to the clinic the way we do now. We will pick treat chemical imbalances in the brain, esketamine up the fundamental processes that lead affects a different brain chemical called glutamate, to dementia long before a person actually Dr. Czysz said. “It’s a completely new mechanism.” experiences the symptoms.” Depression is highly treatable and is becoming And: “We’re going to be giving an more so with such new treatment options, added effective treatment to stop the disease.” Dr. Marc Diamond Dr. Mary “Molly” Camp, Assistant Professor of Alzheimer’s is by far the most common Psychiatry, who co-presented with Dr. Czysz. In Dr. Andrew Czysz and Dr. Mary “Molly” Camp cause of neurodegenerative dementia in bad tau is in phase two clinical trials. Many a landmark study done at UT Southwestern and older people, Dr. Diamond said, although pharmaceutical companies are working elsewhere and reported in the American Journal of those suffering from depression can use exercise to dementia can also be caused by strokes, with this approach in hopes of developing Psychiatry in 2006, 67 percent of the adult outpa- improve their mood, Dr. Camp said. Parkinson’s disease, and even vitamin defi- treatments against tau and other proteins tients treated during the study for major depression Inflammation could be one reason stress affects ciencies, especially vitamin B12, a nutrient that form abnormal tau assemblies in the achieved remission. The patients moved through the brain, Dr. Czysz said. Chronic stress can lead to found only in animals. Depression or brain, Dr. Diamond said. up to four progressively more intense treatment inflammation and changes in immune function, in chronic sleep disturbance can look like “We’ve got active programs going on options as they tried to attain remission. In the first turn associated with major psychiatric disorders, he dementia, he added. in the Center for Alzheimer’s and Neuro- stage, patients received only a single antidepres- said. “Exercise really is one of the best anti-inflam- In Alzheimer’s, an abnormal trans- degenerative Diseases to try to attack the sant, and about a third of the patients responded matories out there,” he noted. formation of the protein tau has been formation of these abnormal assemblies at this stage. But if that did not work, the initial Studies are underway to tailor treatment for linked as a causal factor. “We know that in the first place,” he added. “What we’re medication might be changed and either a second depression based on a patient’s level of an inflam- when Alzheimer’s strikes, that the protein doing is developing small molecules that antidepressant or cognitive therapy was added to mation biomarker, C-reactive protein, Dr. Czysz changes its shape and it starts behaving will stabilize the protein in its healthy the treatment mix. added. Early results using the information to choose abnormally inside the brain cells,” he said. form and prevent it from converting.” Sometimes, Dr. Camp said, success takes time the right antidepressant have been promising. When tau changes shape, Dr. Diamond “We’re also developing next-genera- and a succession of medications. But more than 30 Part of what makes people more susceptible to explained, it exposes amino acids previ- tion immunotherapies that are based on kinds of antidepressants are now on the market, depression is genetic; those born with a short varia- ously hidden inside that cause it to begin our knowledge of the unique structures and other treatment options include psycho- tion of the serotonin transporter gene can be at attaching to other tau molecules. Abnor- that cause the different diseases (involved therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (which increased risk, he said. But, Dr. Czysz told attendees, mally shaped tau then moves from one in dementia). So we’re actually trying to uses magnets to create electrical currents in the this effect is only seen in those who have also expe- cell to another, he said, creating chains of make personalized vaccines that would be brain), and electroconvulsive therapy, she said. rienced maltreatment. abnormality as it goes, “kind of like falling given much like a flu shot to attack this Electroconvulsive therapy, formerly known as “If you had no maltreatment, this particular dominoes in the brain.” problem,” Dr. Diamond said, adding that electroshock therapy, is “extremely safe” and “one gene that you had didn’t matter,” he said. According This process starts in an area of the this strategy has already worked in mouse of, if not the most, effective treatments for treat- to the research, “It was only the individuals who brain tied to memory, leading to Alzheim- models. ment-resistant depression,” she added. had experienced maltreatment and had the short er’s dreaded effect on the mind, said Dr. Elsewhere, clinical trials are underway Another treatment still in the research stage version of the gene that had this dramatically Diamond, also Professor of Neurology and using antisense oligonucleotide inhibitors is magnetic seizure therapy. In this treatment, a increased risk of developing depression.” Neurotherapeutics and Neuroscience. – a genetic approach – to turn off Alzheim- patient undergoes controlled seizures similar to Since early life events can have a profound Lab tests have borne out this theory. If er’s development in genes. those in electroconvulsive therapy, but perhaps impact on mental illness later in life, UT South- bad forms of tau are introduced into the With the Centers for Disease Control with fewer side effects, Dr. Czysz said. “There’s western is involved in two longitudinal depression hippocampus of a mouse brain, the result and Prevention (CDC) projecting the something we don’t quite understand that’s very studies researchers hope to continue for 10 years. is like an infection that spreads through number of people with Alzheimer’s to therapeutic about a controlled seizure in people One examines biologic factors that impact whether the brain. almost triple by 2050 as the U.S. popula- with mood disorders. Some people liken it to someone with depression gets better or worse; the Already, an immunotherapy/antibody tion ages, success on any of these fronts rebooting the brain.” other involves studying what factors lead to depres- he developed several years ago to attack could be lifesaving for millions. In addition to such medical interventions, sion or resilience in adolescents. June/July 2019 Page 11

FOCUS: BRAIN

Continued from page 10 Memory loss: When to worry, when to forget about it Brain Memory experts at UT Southwestern commonly see patients concerned about developing dementia. The patients may notice taking longer to remember details, or perhaps they’ve forgotten an event entirely. ‘Et tu, Brute?’ Neurologist takes Shakespearean approach “But when should we worry, and when should we forget about it?” asked to explain autoimmune disorders Dr. Brendan Kelley, a memory disorders expert and Vice Chair for Clinical As one of the world’s leading experts on rare autoimmune diseases, Operations at UT Southwestern. “Sometimes memory issues are simply part Dr. Benjamin Greenberg knows the intricacies of the nervous system and of normal aging.” the web of terms that defines it. Dr. Kelley, Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, Yet, when describing autoimmune disease to lay folk, he kindly offers acknowledged that while no objective measure of normal aging has been explanations that are more Shakespearean than scientific. established, studies show that certain cognitive functions gradually change In a Symposium lecture titled “Et tu, Brute?” Dr. Greenberg described later in life in many patients who don’t develop dementia. the molecular “Brutus” that attacks healthy cells and causes rare condi- Taking a couple of minutes to remember someone’s name, for instance, tions such as transverse myelitis or more common ones like multiple may not require medical attention. But dense amnesia, uncharacteristic poor sclerosis. judgment, or decreased problem-solving skills might be signs of trouble. “The autoimmune system is supposed to be your friend; it is supposed Because Americans are living longer and have greater awareness of Alzheimer’s to protect you from harmful viruses and bacteria,” Dr. Greenberg said. disease, more patients are seeking medical help when they experience symptoms. “And when it gets confused and commits murder of one of its own, it “Conditions that are associated with aging are of increasing personal and is an act of betrayal akin to societal importance,” Dr. Kelley said. “Fortunately, there are many ways that Brutus and Julius Caesar.” we can decrease the risk of developing cognitive impairment.” Dr. Greenberg, Associate He noted memory disorders are strongly associated with lack of sleep, Professor of Neurology and hypertension, high blood pressure, and diabetes, among other factors. Neurotherapeutics and Exercise and healthy eating, such as the Mediterranean diet, are two Pediatrics, a Distinguished primary strategies for reducing risk, he said, but only if they’re implemented Teaching Professor, and early enough. Director of the Perot Foun- “If you’re going to start exercising after you already have Alzheimer’ disease, dation Neuroscience Trans- Dr. Brendan Kelley you’ve waited too long,” Dr. Kelley said. “The best treatment is prevention.” lational Research Center, described how autoim- mune diseases can manifest UT Southwestern scientists research projects at the O’Donnell in a variety of symptoms, Brain Institute and Harold C. Dr. Benjamin Greenberg from seizures to movement test new strategies to attack Simmons Comprehensive Cancer disorders. They can also be brain cancer cells Center that may lead to potential mistaken for mental illness, similar to a case in the Brain on Fire autobiog- Dr. Elizabeth Maher foresees a day therapies: One is focused on finding raphy and film about a journalist who was mislabeled as having a psychotic when brain cancer no longer amounts ways to remove the sugar and fats disorder until she was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis. to a death sentence. She anticipates a that cancer cells feed on while “The symptoms depend on which part of the nervous system gets time when vaccines might prevent dormant and the second involves damaged,” Dr. Greenberg said. “We need to be on alert for Brutus, the entire ordeal. understanding how the cells move looking for that betrayal in the immune system.” Her optimism stems from the insight in the tight spaces of the brain. Identifying Brutus among the billions of cell types in the immune scientists are gaining into the vulnerabili- “The imaging shows these cells system has not always been an easy task, in particular with multiple scle- ties of cancer cells – their need for sugars hiding in plain sight,” she said. “The rosis. But advances have enabled scientists to identify unique genetic and fats for fuel and their predictable Dr. Elizabeth Maher problem is, we don’t yet know how signatures and track where antibodies are attacking healthy cells. locale in the brain while dormant. to kill them when they’re dormant In the case of multiple sclerosis, research led by UT Southwestern’s Dr. “Every tumor is unique, but there and be smarter in our approaches,” and not dividing.” Nancy Monson, Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurotherapeu- are common themes,” Dr. Maher said Dr. Maher, Professor of Internal tics and Immunology, has identified a pattern of antibodies attaching to said. “Our goal is to identify and Medicine and Neurology and ■ neurons. This was surprising considering 150 years of MS research that target these shared weaknesses.” Neurotherapeutics who also directs Dr. Diamond holds the Distinguished described this disease based on damage to myelin, the protective coating Dr. Maher, an oncologist who UT Southwestern’s translational Chair in Basic Brain Injury and Repair. around nerve fibers. specializes in brain tumors, was the research program in Neuro-Oncology, “We’re following this unexpected discovery to better understand final speaker at the annual campus part of the Annette G. Strauss Center Dr. Greenberg is a Cain Denius multiple sclerosis,” Dr. Greenberg said. “The condition may have more event that this year included lectures for Neuro-Oncology. “One day we will Scholar in Mobility Disorders. to do with the world of neurodegeneration than we thought.” from O’Donnell Brain Institute faculty vaccinate for cancer, and I intend for it Dr. Maher holds the Theodore H. A variety of treatments have been developed to reduce the inflamma- members. to be in my lifetime.” Strauss Professorship in Neuro-Oncology. tion stemming from autoimmune disorders, including steroids and plasma She explained the notable prog- She elaborated on the difficul- Dr. Podolsky holds the Philip exchanges in which the harmful antibodies are removed. But scientists ress in cancer treatment and research, ties of treating glioblastoma, an O’Bryan Montgomery, Jr., M.D. Distin- have yet to establish an effective treatment that can restore some of the including new technologies that aggressive brain cancer that – even guished Presidential Chair in Academic body function lost after severe attacks on the immune system. have enhanced brain imaging and with chemotherapy and radiation – Administration, and the Doris and Dr. Greenberg is hopeful a clinical trial he will launch this year will drug-testing capabilities. Although results in short survival. The disease Bryan Wildenthal Distinguished Chair establish the first such treatment. The trial will use stem cells – called such improvements have contrib- isn’t curable through surgery because in Medical Science. progenitor cells – to try to reverse the paralysis in patients whose spinal uted to a 25 percent drop in the U.S. its cells don’t grow as a lump; instead cords were inflamed by transverse myelitis. If successful, the clinical trial cancer death rate since the early they migrate through the brain. could lead to similar therapies for more common conditions. 1990s, Dr. Maher acknowledged But scientists are testing new strat- More online: To read the full stories The trial is funded in part by Q Therapeutics, the Transverse Myelitis much work remains to achieve the egies that utilize insight into how and and watch speaker videos, go to Center Association, the Lyda Hill Foundation, and the M.R. and Evelyn Hudson ultimate goal of prevention. when cancer cells migrate and divide. Times Plus at ct.utsouthwestern.edu. Foundation. “We have to do the thinking upfront Dr. Maher cited two major

moved the project to an advanced stage paper,” Dr. Chen added. understand his work. Mr. Du visits Nominata Continued from page 1 before leaving to complete his other Dr. Chen said he expects Mr. Du’s them every year or two. rotations, then returned to continue findings to greatly facilitate the design “Sometimes tears come from my “Then my high school teacher got me He said he chose UT Southwestern the painstaking work. and development of cGAS inhibitors, mom and she says that she misses me interested in understanding biological for graduate school because of its inter- His observations caused him to therapeutics that have the potential on video chat, but this gives me the activities, encouraged me to pursue my national reputation. suspect that cGAS might be undergoing to treat autoimmune diseases such as momentum to work hard,” he said. studies, and gave me the confidence to “My mentor, Dr. Chen, is one of protein liquid-liquid phase separation, lupus. In addition to Mr. Du’s honor, Dr. try for college.” the best scientists in the whole world a physical chemistry process he had “It is very likely that several other Bishakha Mona of the Genetics, Devel- Mr. Du excelled academically, placing to study cellular signaling using tradi- encountered during a rotation in the proteins involved in innate immunity opment, and Disease Graduate Program second out of 160,000 students on the tional biochemical approaches, and he laboratory of Dr. Michael Rosen, Chair and inflammation also have similar received a Dean’s Discretionary Award national college entrance exam in his made several fundamental discoveries of Biophysics and a pioneer in showing liquid phase separation behavior and for research excellence and superior province. He was accepted to Tsinghua on innate immune signaling path- that liquid-liquid phase separation is I believe his paper will have a great ability to communicate her science. University, described as the MIT of China. ways,” Mr. Du said. vital for a variety of biological processes. impact in the immunology field,” Dr. Dr. Bishakha, the recipient of the 2019 There he trained in several laboratories, Mr. Du’s thesis work focuses on the Next, Mr. Du conducted experi- Chen said. “In summary, Mingjian is Ida M. Green Award in April, recently including one run by a world-renowned activation of innate immune signaling ments that confirmed the activation a highly talented, extremely driven completed her Ph.D. in the laboratory structural biologist. by DNA-induced liquid phase conden- of cGAS via DNA-induced liquid phase student who has the potential to of Dr. Jane Johnson, Professor of Neuro- “In China, the only way for children sation of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase separation. He also identified a switch- become a next-generation scientific science. from the poor countryside to change (cGAS), the cellular sensor of DNA like threshold effect that helped explain leader.” their destinies and improve their discovered in 2012 in the lab of Dr. how cGAS can detect and respond to Mr. Du plans to return for a sixth ■ futures is to get an education, especially Chen, who became UT Southwestern’s infection from pathogenic DNA while year. After graduate school, he intends Dr. Chen holds the George L. college,” he said. newest Breakthrough Prize winner avoiding reacting to low amounts of to pursue postdoctoral work in neuro- Mr. Du is a fifth-year graduate based on that advance. self-DNA in the cytoplasm, said Dr. science. MacGregor Distinguished Chair in student in the UT Southwestern labo- When he arrived for a graduate Chen, who is also a member of the “I’m fascinated and obsessed with Biomedical Science. ratory of Dr. Zhijian “James” Chen school rotation in the Chen lab, Mr. Center for the Genetics of Host Defense. fundamental questions such as how Dr. Johnson holds the Shirley and – Director of the Center for Inflamma- Du was given the tedious but important As a result, Mr. Du became lead memory is initiated, consolidated, William S. McIntyre Distinguished Chair tion Research, Professor of Molecular research needed to characterize single- author on a two-author study with Dr. and recalled. Additionally, a role of in Neuroscience. Biology, and a Howard Hughes Medical and double-stranded DNA of different Chen published in Science last year that quantum physics in consciousness has Dr. Rosen holds the Mar Nell and Institute Investigator. Mr. Du recently lengths, DNA/RNA hybrids, as well as found cGAS forms droplets (foci) that been implied, and I’m also very inter- F. Andrew Bell Distinguished Chair in presented the Nominata Lecture, DNA from different species and organ- act as tiny bioreactors creating mole- ested in studying that possibility,” he Biochemistry. describing his work on innate immu- elles within the cell to determine those cules to stimulate innate immunity – added. nity to an audience of faculty members to which the DNA sensor cGAS reacted the body’s first response to infection. He hopes his parents, who still live and fellow graduate students. most strongly. “I should stress that Mingjian single- in China, will be able to visit when he More online: Read the full story and “It’s such an incredible honor to The experiments required careful handedly conceived and executed all graduates and said that they support watch a video on Center Times Plus at receive this award and to share my planning and long hours in the lab. By the experiments that led to the exciting him and are proud of his accomplish- ct.utsouthwestern.edu. research in a University lecture,” he said. working through the winter holiday, he discoveries reported in his Science ments, though it is hard for them to Page 12 June/July 2019 Community health fair provides free screenings, sports physicals

By Patrick Wascovich Alexander Sanchez and Carlos Mendoza rolled A 15-year legacy of service up their eighth grade sleeves and got down to the Carnaval de Salud’s enduring popu- puzzle at hand: extracting DNA from strawber- larity showcases the continued need for ries. access to care, as well as the need to engage “We’re interested in engineering, but this was the community to promote health and a cool,” said Carlos, a student at Thomas J. Rusk healthy society that enables achievement of Middle School. full human potential. This must’ve been music to the ears of Guided and shaped by the Medical Mehraban Kavoussi, then a first-year student at Center’s institutional pillars of education, UT Southwestern Medical School. He was working discovery, and healing, this culture flourishes with the two Rusk students at UT Southwestern because leadership understands that commu- Medical Center’s annual Carnaval de Salud. nity engagement can serve as the key entry The April 27 event, organized and run by point for many to connect with UTSW’s UT Southwestern students and faculty and staff health care system and link them to resources volunteers, is in its 15th year of providing free that can enhance their future well-being. health care services, information, and lifestyle “United to Serve’s impact on partici- strategies to hundreds of families from under- pants and its incredible structure of service- served populations in Dallas. It is part of the oriented learning enables students to UT System’s “United to Serve” initiative. develop robust experiences in community Through projects like the strawberry DNA and public health by effectively applying and other interactive booths, UTSW’s educa- medical knowledge for the betterment of tional mission was effectively delivered, allowing our community,” said Dr. Bethany Werner, students to learn more about science, health, and event co-director and a recent Medical the human body – perhaps without even real- Third grader Vhinu Womeni (left) takes a closer look, along with medical student Angela Zhang. School graduate. “All in all, this exempli- izing it. fies UT Southwestern’s commitment to “The Science Zone offers a unique opportunity increasing access to care and enhancing to learn about the science of the human body, the public’s awareness of the importance of face to face with UT Southwestern students,” said healthy living and prevention.” Dr. Alice Jean, a recent Medical School graduate and one of this year’s event co-directors. “That junior at Emmett J. Conrad High School, got his type of relaxed and interactive environment football physical even before summer training. really makes the subjects approachable and fun “We’re here, it’s free, and he’s now ready to go,” for patrons of all ages.” said his mother, Janeeka Bellows. Carnaval de Salud keeps growing by the year, For young kids, the fair had carnival activities, as nearly 200 people lined up prior to the 9 a.m. arts and crafts, and more than 20 drop-off boxes opening at the school. By midafternoon that for a chance at prizes. Saturday, the hallways were still bustling and Participants milled around two tables more than 600 people had taken part in UTSW’s featuring some of the day’s popular giveaways: community outreach. the UTSW Police gave out flying discs and wrist- “It’s absolutely wonderful,” said Elisa School of Health Profession students Rayna Jeter (left) An attendee learns how to suture by practicing on a bands, and a team from the School of Health Simmons, who brought along daughters Alecia, a and Jamala Christopher offer tips for healthy dishes. banana peel. Professions offered healthy recipes and ingre- sophomore at Lancaster High School, and Jasmin, dient options. a student at Cedar Valley College. “There’s so when you’ll need it, but getting this experience ties for the whole family,” said Dr. Claire Mauvais, “I’ve gotten some great recipes and tips,” said much useful information, and it’s presented in a helps.” a recent Medical School graduate and event Tiffany Thomas, who is raising her nephews, family-friendly way.” Students from the Medical School, UT South- co-director. “UT Southwestern students work middle-schoolers Nicolas and Cadyn Rogers. Jacqueline Escobar, meanwhile, wasted little western Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, together to reach all ages, emphasizing preven- “I’ve told my nephews that if you go too hard, time in Rusk’s East Gym, first getting a hands-on and UT Southwestern School of Health Profes- tive care and providing resources to encourage you can lose steam and not achieve your goal. feel for CPR before moving to the first-aid station sions plan and coordinate the fair, which featured healthy lifestyle choices in our community. It’s We’ve been shown practical approaches to meals to bear hug a mannequin for Heimlich experi- about 75 stations and involved more than 500 great for everyone involved.” that take little dietary steps. Now we have a better ence. Her youngest, 20-month-old Samantha, volunteers this year. Afterward, students proac- This year’s event, themed “Into the Wild,” chance to succeed.” had already given Mrs. Escobar and older tively follow up with community members who featured free health screenings for several daughter Kimberly, 11, ample reason for practical participated. common conditions such as diabetes, high More online: To view a video and more photos training. “Carnaval de Salud provides a welcoming blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Dallas ISD from the event on Center Times Plus, go to “She’s twice had choking incidents,” Mrs. environment where patrons can undergo basic student-athletes like Jukeen Bellows who needed ct.utsouthwestern.edu/ctplus/stories/2019/ Escobar said. “At Samantha’s age everything, not health screening, learn about common medical a health screening could get a free sports physical carnaval-de-salud.html. just food, goes in the mouth. You never know conditions, and enjoy fun and educational activi- and learn about local health resources. Jukeen, a

Babies who arrived early celebrate life with hospital staff who worked to save them cine and Professor of Pediatrics at By Carol Marie Cropper UT Southwestern. Nurse Miosotis Mejia looked out The American College of Obstetri- on the growing crowd of squirming, cians and Gynecologists now recom- laughing, crying, running children mends that moms try to carry their at William P. Clements Jr. University babies to at least 39 weeks, recognizing Hospital recently and proclaimed the that important organs such as the chaos one of her favorite events. brain, lungs, and liver are still devel- The joyful ruckus was part of oping at the 37-week threshold, Dr. UT Southwestern’s annual Preemie Savani said. Party, hosted by the hospital’s Parkland Memorial Hospital, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). public hospital affiliated with UT South- “We look forward to it every year,” said western, was able to push its preterm Ms. Mejia, a NICU nurse. “It’s so much birth rate down from 10.4 percent to fun. It’s so rewarding.” 4.9 percent – half the earlier rate – after The April 28 party reunited about increasing prenatal care, according to 100 former preemie (prematurely born) a study published in Obstetrics & Gyne- patients and family members with Sisters Celeste Salgado (left) and Isabel Salgado attended the party. Ten-year-old Amy E. Davidson Williams holds her cology in 2009. Clements University the NICU nurses and other medical Celeste was born at 24 weeks gestation, just inside the cutoff for survival. 17-month-old son, Osbourn. Hospital currently has lower infection staff who cared for them at Clements rates than other NICUs nationwide, thereby allowing for lower complica- University Hospital. her family’s ninth year in attendance. pressure that affects some pregnant many people are responsible for him tion rates in these vulnerable infants. “We had some babies that we Waylon Irizarry, another 24-weeker, women and can cause liver or kidney being here. Dr. Becky Ennis, Medical Director worked so hard on and we weren’t was also among the preemies taking it damage and, in the worst cases, death. “We don’t go to church every of the NICU and an Associate Professor sure they were going to make it. But all in. Now just shy of 11 months old, “My OB said, ‘You have to have him Sunday,” Ms. Williams said, “but we of Pediatrics, was also on hand for the then they did and they came back and he spent his first 99 days in the NICU now to save you both,’” Ms. Williams pray every night, and every night since celebration. they’re running around,” Ms. Mejia, at Clements University Hospital. “We recalled. After the birth, “When they he was born we pray for the people in “It’s one of the best parts of our a former preemie herself, said with a were very worried that we would lose said, ‘He weighs 3 pounds and he’s the NICU who saved him.” jobs,” Dr. Ennis said of the event. smile. him because he was so little,” said his unable to breathe on his own,’ the About 1 in 10 babies are born “We take care of these babies for Ms. Mejia helped organize the mom, Jessica Irizarry, as she wrestled world sort of stopped turning for me.” preterm (before 37 weeks gestation), months. They feel like family to us. It’s event, which featured a bounce house, with the boy wiggling on her lap. “He’s But Osbourn was a fighter. “Now, according to the Centers for Disease wonderful to see how they grow.” cake, and visits from “Spider-Man” and doing amazing now. He’s not on any he’s wonderful,” she said. “He’s doing Control and Prevention (CDC). “Elsa” of Disney’s “Frozen” fame. medications. He is a normal baby.” really well with some motor and Preterm birth and low birthweight ■ But the main attractions were chil- Nearby, Amy E. Davidson Williams communication skills issues. He wants is the second leading cause of infant Dr. Savani holds The William dren like Celeste Salgado, whose arrival was holding her 17-month-old son, to get into everything. He is just a very death in the United States, reports the Buchanan Chair in Pediatrics. into the world was alarmingly early. Osbourn. “My husband and I wanted a happy and sometimes very naughty – CDC. She was born at 24 weeks gestation, baby for a really long time,” she said. “I but in a good way – little boy.” Babies delivered early are at just inside the cutoff for survival, and was 41 when I got pregnant.” She had a special reason for making increased risk of having underdevel- More online: To read the full story and weighed 15 ounces – not even a pound. Everything seemed fine until she the trip back to Clements University oped lungs, bleeding in the brain, watch a video on Center Times Plus, go But at the Preemie Party, Celeste was went in for a routine prenatal checkup Hospital for the party. “It’s important intestinal inflammation, and heart to ct.utsouthwestern.edu/ctplus/stories/ there, doing well, and set to turn 10 at 30 weeks and learned she had for me and for him to know where he problems, said Dr. Rashmin Savani, 2019/nicu-preemie-reunion.html. years old the day after the party. It was preeclampsia, a type of high blood was born, how he was born, and how Chief of Neonatal-Perinatal Medi-