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Art work beautifies MEC lobby

NEWSWORTHY he Medical Education Center lobby was transformed into an art gallery for a week in the beginning of Suggestions for story ideas are always welcome. April for the Third Annual NYMC Art Exhibition. Stories can be about research, curriculum or T Students, faculty and staff displayed their artistic talents programs of study, unique or interesting personal in a variety of media. ᮡ achievements, growing trends or patient care with an academic focus.

Please email your comments and inquiries to [email protected]. You can read current and archived issues of InTouch by visiting us on the web: www.nymc.edu/OfficesAndServices/PublicRelations/ Publications/Intouch.html

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New York Medical College Office of Public Relations Tel: (914) 594-4536, Fax: (914) 594-4541 Donna E. Moriarty, M.P.H. ’04 Associate Vice President, Communications Lori-Ann Perrault, Public Information Editor Kevin R. Cummings, M.P.S., M.P.H. ’00, Director of Web Communications Contributor: Kimberly Gaudin de Gonzalez InTouch is published ten times a year by the Office of Public Relations at Medical College. It is distributed to the College community, including students, faculty, staff, affiliated hospital sites and the Board of Trustees, among others. It has a circulation of 3,500.

May 2012

New York Medical College Office of Public Relations Administration Building Valhalla, New York 10595 loriMayInTouch_PMS258.qxp:InTouch 5/9/12 8:48 PM Page 1

Volume Eighteen | Number Four May 2012

27th Annual SPAD brings social media to the spotlight

These first-year medical students turned conference organizers made the 27th Annual SPAD a success: Adrian Romero, publicity chair, Hirva Bakeri, fundraising chair, Neil Shah, SPAD chair, Supa Shah, speaker chair, and Joseph Sarcona, treasurer.

Nevins Auditorium was filled with audience members eager to learn about the future of medical practice using digital media as a tool. (Photo by Susan Woog Wagner)

s the audience gathered in Nevins Presenters touted the benefits of using social Auditorium and looked around, some media, and encouraged participants to begin testing Afaces may not have been recognizable. the waters. Howard Luks, M.D. ’91, assistant HIGHLIGHTS But as the program started, and the tweets and professor of orthopedic surgery and a self-proclaimed blog posts started popping up on tablets, laptops “social orthopedist,” recounted how he had Edward C. and smart phones in the audience, Twitter handles coached a physician in the mountains of Pakistan Halperin, M.D., began to look familiar. That was the scene at the through a complicated surgical procedure on a M.A., will 27th Annual Student Physician Awareness Day patient who had contacted Dr. Luks through social 2address the Class (SPAD), held on April 24. media. But the praise for social media did not of 2012 come without warnings about the importance Each year, the conference is organized by first-year of maintaining face to face communication with medical students to address a topic not traditionally patients and colleagues, being vigilant about Iota chapter of covered in the medical school curriculum. The patient privacy, and carefully managing one’s AOA hosts Class of 2015 chose as the theme of this year’s online professional reputation. Remember that it lecture SPAD, “iMedicine: The Influence of Social Media 3 creates a permanent record, and “don’t be stupid,” and induction on Medicine.” Fourteen guest speakers presented was the experts’ succinct advice. ceremony their expertise and views on the burgeoning world of social media and health care, which Presenter Brian McGowan, Ph.D., a continuing Thursdays at proponents say is rapidly changing the face of medical education professional with more than a Woodfield medical education, doctor/patient relationships decade of experience as a faculty member, medical Cottage: and patient education and outreach. director, accredited provider, and commercial 4students mentor supporter, summed up the power of social media: The morning program was chock-full with at-risk youth “If brilliance arises from discussion in this room, dynamic 15-minute presentations held back- and doesn’t get out to all U.S. med schools, what to-back. These had the effect of warming up the a waste,” he wrote in a Twitter post. participants to such questions as why a digital SHSP presence is needed, how to use social media to To follow the conversation about the conference, demonstrates develop a professional network, and a discussion which is still ongoing, search the Twitter hashtag commitment to a of best practices and most challenging pitfalls. #NYMCSPAD, or visit the SPAD website, 6healthier America during NPHW The afternoon featured breakout sessions and www.nymc.edu/spad, where a Twitter feed panel discussions covering the use of social appears on the main page. You can also read media to address public health, lifelong learning, a post-conference summary of the conference

New York Medical College and current uses of social media in health care written by presenter Kent Bottles, M.D., at A member of the and medical education. http://bit.ly/JRy6zC. ᮡ and University System www.nymc.edu loriMayInTouch_PMS258.qxp:InTouch 5/9/12 8:48 PM Page 2

ᮣ HONORSANDAPPOINTMENTS

Accolades Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., will address the Class of 2012 ive years ago, a stamp collector and historian, to his credit. Ⅲ Christine Leroy, an M.D./Ph.D. candi- while perusing an auction catalog in hopes of His diverse spe- date in the Department of Biochemistry Fculling some historically intriguing find, came cialties include and Molecular Biology, was invited to across an 1841 letter thought to be a doctor’s bill. pediatric cancer, participate in “Hill Day,” an annual The collector bid $40—$35 less than the asked for adult brain event sponsored by the American starting bid—and found himself the owner of the tumors, the role Society for Biochemistry and Molecular mysterious document. of radiotherapy Biology (ASBMB). Nineteen students in organ and postdocs from around the country So began years of research and now the historian/stamp transplantation, joined the ASBMB public affairs adviso- collector believes the paper is a medical bill for $77 ethics, and the ry committee in Washington, D.C., on (today’s equivalent of $2,000) submitted by a well- history of racial, March 27 to meet with more than 60 trained and highly esteemed white physician named congressional offices and advocate for religious, and Volny Metcalfe, M.D., to a plantation owner named Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A. basic research funding and biomedical- gender discrimi- John Mosby, for the care of free whites and slaves in related legislation. nation in higher Adams County, Mississippi. education. He is the senior editor of two textbooks, Ⅲ Edward Miller Jr., D.M.D., clinical assis- tant professor of dental medicine, was At the153rd Commencement Exercises in Carnegie Hall Pediatric Radiation Oncology (now in its 5th edition) selected to serve as a board examiner of at 7 p.m. on May 31st, the stamp collector, who happens and Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology the American Board of Oral and to be Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., the newly arrived (now in its 6th edition.) Maxillofacial Surgery. chancellor for health affairs and chief executive officer On May 1 Dr. Halperin assumed his new post at Ⅲ Stuart A. Newman, Ph.D., professor of at New York Medical College, will interpret the New York Medical College, along with the title of cell biology and anatomy, presented a 172-year-old medical bill. provost for biomedical affairs, Touro College and talk on “Dynamical Patterning Modules His commencement address, “Slave Medicine and the in the Origination and Development of University System. Prior to that, he served as dean Banality of Evil,” examines the role of white physicians Biological Form” at the symposium, of the School of Medicine of the University of “Quantitative Developmental Biology,” in the medical care of enslaved African-Americans prior Louisville, where he was the Ford Foundation held at the RIKEN Center for to the Emancipation Proclamation, and its lasting Professor of Medical Education, and professor of Developmental Biology, in Kobe, Japan, significance for the medical profession. “The modern radiation oncology, pediatrics, and history. He in March. He was also the keynote physician must be careful not to be trapped into the received a B.S. in economics from The Wharton speaker at the 11th annual Research banality of modern forms of evil as were his or her School of the University of Pennsylvania, an M.D. Day at Touro University California, in predecessors when they facilitated slavery,” he said. from Yale University, and an M.A. from The April. He presented “Pattern Formation Graduate School of Duke University. He did his of the Vertebrate Limb Skeleton: The concept of “banality of evil” comes from a Mechanisms and Models.” 1963 book about the well-publicized trial of Adolf internship in internal medicine at Stanford University and his residency in radiation oncology Ⅲ Eichmann who facilitated the functions of the Joseph M. Wu, Ph.D., professor of bio- at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts chemistry and molecular biology, was Holocaust although he himself did not directly kill General Hospital. Dr. Halperin served on the faculty invited to give the keynote address at anyone. “Evil is often envisioned by sociopaths,” at Duke University for 23 years where he held the Annual Research Symposium in Dr. Halperin said, “but it is facilitated by average endowed chairs in radiation oncology and Biology at Dominican College in people who treat evil as normative.” Rockland County on May 4. Dr. Wu medical education, and was chairman of the presented “Following the PCR Rule in Dr. Halperin has more than 200 published articles in the Department of Radiation Oncology and vice dean Exploring Science.” scientific, ethics, and historical peer-reviewed literature of the School of Medicine. ᮡ

SHSP distinguished lecturer is appointed Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health

a Mar Hasbrouck, M.D., M.P.H., distin- transitioning the department toward a prevention- “I am pleased to announce the appointment guished lecturer of and based agenda. of Dr. La Mar Hasbrouck, who will strengthen community health in the School of Health Illinois with his global public health L He spent 11 years at the Centers for Disease Control Sciences and Practice (SHSP), has been appointed expertise,” said Illinois State Governor and Prevention (CDC) as part of the epidemic Director of the Department of Public Health of Pat Quinn. intelligence service. Dr. Hasbrouck worked to the State of Illinois. He has served on the faculty reduce and eliminate diseases in countries around of the SHSP since 2010. “Dr. Hasbrouck brings great experience and tal- the world, including polio eradication in ent to this new and highly responsible position,” Bangladesh, and served as the CDC director and Dr. Hasbrouck previously served as the director said Robert W. Amler, M.D., dean of the SHSP chief of party in Guyana, South America. of public health and the commissioner of the and vice president for government affairs. “We Department of Mental Health of Ulster County, Dr. Hasbrouck holds a bachelor’s degree and will miss him as a fellow faculty member and N.Y., where he is credited with achieving and master’s of public health from the University of friend, but wish him every success in Illinois and maintaining full compliance with all state California-Berkeley, and received his medical know he will be an outstanding public health Department of Health regulations and degree from the UCLA/Drew School of Medicine. director there.” ᮡ

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Iota chapter of AOA hosts lecture and induction ceremony

he New York Iota chapter of Alpha Omega Barbara and William Rosenthal Professor and Alpha (AOA), the national medical honor Chairman of the Department of Medicine, professor T society, hosted the Saul A. Schwartz, M.D., of pharmacology and councilor of the Iota chapter, AOA Visiting Professor Lecture and 56th annual for excelling academically and demonstrating induction ceremony on March 28. The lecture, promise of becoming leaders in the profession. presented by David Thomas Stern, M.D., Ph.D., Faculty and alumni were also initiated into AOA, vice chair for professionalism in the Department including Robert Lerner, M.D., professor and vice of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical School and chairman of the Department of Medicine, and adjunct Professor of Medicine at the University of Charles B. Seelig, M.D., adjunct professor of Michigan, was followed by a banquet and induction medicine, as faculty initiates. John M. Cosgrove, ceremony at Tappan Hill in Tarrytown, N.Y. M.D. ’83, professor and chairman of the AOA Iota chapter officers, from left: Brandon Murti, treasurer, Matthew Schoenfeld, president, Vinisha Garg, secretary, and Ross Department of Surgery at Bronx Lebanon Mund, vice president. Dr. Stern presented “Promoting Professionalism,” Hospital Center, and Francis B. Baccay, M.D. ’93, relating the “Three Es” in medical education— assistant professor of surgery at the College, were expectations, experiences and evaluation—and how inducted as alumni initiates. Dr. Cosgrove’s these can be incorporated to ensure the highest daughter, Susan Cosgrove, Class of 2012, was professionalism for future physicians. Dr. Stern among the student initiates, making it the first is a practicing general internist committed to time in Iota chapter history that a father/ improving the quality of medical education. His daughter pair were inducted. The volunteer early research focused on identifying when, where clinical faculty award was presented to Danny and how doctors learn professional behaviors. He Hirsch-Kauffmann Jokl, M.D., clinical professor subsequently studied how to measure professional of ophthalmology. behavior for evaluation, certification and predic- tion of future behavior. Currently he is working Alan Kadish, M.D., president of New York William H. Frishman, M.D., right, the Barbara and William Rosenthal Professor and Chairman of the Department of to improve patient care outcomes by ensuring the Medical College, offered remarks at the induction Medicine, professor of pharmacology and councilor of the professional behavior of physicians at Mount ceremony. Coincidentally, in 1979, when Dr. Iota chapter, welcomed David Thomas Stern, M.D., Ph.D. Sinai School of Medicine. Kadish was a medical student at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, he was inducted into Schwartz, M.D. ’30, who was instrumental in Following the lecture, the festivities moved to AOA by Dr. Frishman, who was councilor of their establishing the College chapter of AOA in 1957. Tappan Hill to honor 22 medical students from AOA chapter at the time. His influence and generosity to the College will the Class of 2012 and 8 from the Class of 2013. continue to be felt long into the future through The students were inducted into the AOA Iota The Annual Saul A. Schwartz, M.D., AOA Lecture the endowed fund that helps to support the chapter by William H. Frishman, M.D., the was established through a bequest from Saul A. annual AOA lecture that bears his name. ᮡ D.P.T. Class of 2012 presents doctoral projects he Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) Class of 2012 shared their clinical research, education, and public health service projects with the College community at the Eighth Annual Doctoral Project Presentation Day on April 19. Following their oral and poster presentations, students responded to thoughtful T inquiries and constructive comments from their peers, faculty and administration. Breathing a collective sigh of relief after completing the graduation requisite, they contemplated their own futures as physical therapists as they listened to a lively keynote address given by Janet Herbold, P.T., M.P.H. ’09. Ms. Herbold, senior administrator at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in White Plains, N.Y., presented, “It’s a Wonderful Life: The Journey of a Professional Student.” ᮡ

PLATFORM PRESENTATIONS POSTER PRESENTATIONS Genomics in Clinical Care: A Distance Based Backpack Safety: It’s in the Bag. An Assessment of Primitive Reflexes in Children Learning Thread for an Entry-Level Doctor of Educational Program for 4th and 5th Grade with Autism Spectrum Disorder Physical Therapy Curriculum Students, Parents, and Teachers Presenters: Lauren Perillo and Nicole Robell Presenters: Samantha Dziuba, John Connolly, Presenters: Catherine Ayoub, Mariam Darbandi, Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ronan Sarah Hnath and Christina Raimondi Lauren Dudas and Gillian Haskell Faculty Advisor: Dr. Curtis Faculty Advisor: Michael J. Majsak, P.T., Ed.D. Effective Strategies for Teaching Principles Associate Professor and Chair of Physical Therapy and Skills of Neurologic Examination Moving Towards Better Glycemic Control: An and Evaluation to Doctor of Physical Exercise Guide for People Living with Type 2 Development of Home Kit CD for Individuals Therapy Students Diabetes (Part II) Discharged from an Outpatient Pulmonary Presenters: Dallin Inouye, Samantha Pierre and Presenters: Kristina Bandy, Jorge Ortega, Roberto Rehabilitation Program Jenna San Antonio Rapalo and Annemarie Richards Presenters: Laura Anastasia, Alyson Clarke and Faculty Advisor: Dr. Majsak Faculty Advisor: Dr. Belarmino Melissa Maura Faculty Advisor: Bobby Belarmino Jr., P.T., D.P.T., CCS Development of an Instructional Media Clinical Instructor Attitudes and Beliefs Assistant Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy Program for Inpatient Related to Clinical Education Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Opportunities for Students to Learn and Burke Rehabilitation Hospital Practice Thrust Joint Manipulation Effects of an 8-Week Group Exercise Program Presenters: Lauren DeSio, Michelle Labella, Presenter: Melissa Buggisch on Physical Activity in Individuals with Jennifer Schlinger and Kelly Short Faculty Advisor: Janet Dolot, P.T., D.P.T., OCS Parkinson’s Disease Faculty Advisor: Dr. Belarmino Assistant Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy Presenters: Zachary DeNeen, Jessica Malpelli and Patrick Watson Faculty Advisor: Catherine Curtis, P.T., Ed.D. Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Testing Vestibular Function in Children with Autism Presenters: Nicholas Manente, Jovan Ramirez and Nicole Sproviero Faculty Advisor: Susan L. Ronan, P.T., D.P.T., PCS Assistant Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy

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Thursdays at Woodfield Cottage: students mentor at-risk youth t’s only a short walk across campus to the residents, shared trite truths about themselves front door of Woodfield Cottage, but the with group members. Then they told another Igap between high-achieving medical students group members’ truth as their own. The and juvenile offenders awaiting adjudication competition then had to guess who actually can seem almost impossible to cross. “liked to play Spit” or “had broken both arms” or “spoke two languages” or “had three And yet every Thursday at 6 p.m. for the past siblings.” These truths blurred the line two years, a group of about 16 first- and second- between residents and medical students, year medical students, a Ph.D. candidate and a making them realize how much they had master’s student, alternating weekly in groups in common. of 8, ring the buzzer of the secure detention center for youths, leave their book bags and Ms. Bishar said interacting with the residents purses in a locked room, and allow themselves of Woodfield Cottage has been eye opening to be escorted into a guarded, secure cafeteria. to her and to many of the students. “Medical There they play games, paint murals, judge rap Second-year medical students Rima Bishar and Frinny Polanco find time school is a closed environment, and I’ve also away from their studies to make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth. offs, and just talk to the young people there, lived a very sheltered life in a loving home. who range in age from 10 to 18 and for whom Just through little things you pick up in an average stay is about 25 days. “We’d say ‘oh, those bad kids’ and that was their conversation over there, you realize these kids reputation. In doing this [volunteer work], I’ve didn’t have the same opportunities. And it isn’t Nobody gives their full names, nobody talks about learned to suspend judgment. I don’t know why that they aren’t smart. Many of them are really the crimes they are accused of and for at least an any of these kids are here, but I know that I grew intelligent and very talented. They just weren’t hour every week, the gap lessens. up in a safe and loving environment, and most given the same chances I had.” of them did not. I’m not saying whatever they The residents of Woodfield Cottage are drawn in did is not their fault, but how they grew up has Ms. Mitchell, the principal, said the Thursday by the camaraderie. “The consistency of just contributed to what they’ve done,” said Ms. visits are therapeutic for residents—a time for slightly older, more accomplished medical students Polanco. “We try to give them information to get them to act like kids. A lot of them never get who come to visit them just because they care, their minds working in different ways. Once we visits from family members who have difficulty also draws the younger people,” said Lindsay travelling to Woodfield, she said. “To learn Mitchell, principal and director of educational something about the medical field, or just know services at Woodfield. “...you realize these kids didn’t have the same opportunities. And it isn’t that they people in the medical field and share different ideas, is empowering for them. Sometimes a The NYMC students say they must suspend aren’t smart. Many of them are really student will share a challenge they’ve faced and judgments when they walk through the door of intelligent and very talented. They just that helps our residents to identify with them. Woodfield—good practice for life as a doctor. They weren’t given the same chances I had.” One student talked about loving music, but are attracted to the idea that simply showing up — Rima Bishar choosing medicine because it was something he and having fun can make a difference in the lives could do for other people. He made them think of youth who may have experienced neglect or led about what they were doing to help other people, unstructured lives, says Rima Bishar, president of brought in pictures of women that were important and that kind of hit home. the NYMC chapter of the Christian Medical and to us and to history. Many of them could identify Dental Association, the group that inspired and Sonia Maria Sotomayor, associate justice of the “The student volunteers from New York Medical organizes the visits. Supreme Court of the United States.” College are offering a structure that these kids need and like,” she added. “I think knowing that On a recent Thursday, medical students brought The picture game was followed by a game of these people take time out of busy days to come pictures of their hometowns, and divided the “Whose Truth Is It?” in which three groups, each and talk with them is amazing for these kids.” ᮡ teens into two teams that had to guess what city containing medical students and Woodfield the picture represented. Was it Washington D.C., Boston, Santo Domingo, Philadelphia, New York City, Miami, Los Angeles? Interspersed with the shouted-out guesses and bursts of laughter, geography and historical information were offered Founder’s Dinner by the medical students, along with anecdotes Thursday, June 14, 2012 about themselves. Glen Island Harbour Club Second-year medical student Frinny Polanco New Rochelle, N.Y. showed a picture of a statue in Santo Domingo 6:30 p.m. Cocktails characterizing the Mirabal sisters, and explained 7:30 p.m. Dinner & Dancing how those courageous women had been savagely murdered for supporting a movement that fought Honoring Award Recipients against Dominican dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo. “Their story was written about in a book Karl P. Adler, M.D. which became a movie called In the Time of the Immediate Past President and Chief Executive Officer Butterflies,” explained Ms. Polanco. One of the and Woodfield residents responded excitedly that he Ralph A. O’Connell, M.D. Dean of the School of Medicine had both read the book and seen the movie. And in that moment, the gap became very narrow. Black tie

Ms. Polanco, a Dominicana who spent her formative For more information: years in Massachusetts, said she had always been www.nymc.edu/FoundersDinner taught to stay away from those “bad kids.” Email: [email protected] Phone: (914) 594-4550

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Impressive student research is the hallmark of the GSRF

leven oral and 20 poster presentations Dr. Vatner, an expert in the covering a wide variety of research areas, physiology and biophysics of E capped off by a keynote presentation by the normal and diseased heart, a leading authority in cardiovascular physiology, presented, “From Free Ranging were the highlights of the 24th Annual Graduate Giraffes in Africa to Disruption Student Research Forum (GSRF) on April 18. The of Adenylyl Cyclase Type 5 in Mice.” day-long event, organized by the Graduate Student The presentation chronicled his Association (GSA), was led by master of ceremony career, which began with studying Jayasree Nair, Ph.D. ’00, a senior research scientist telemetry of blood flow and blood at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. pressure in free ranging giraffes in Kenya, leading to his current The day included a “students-only” session with research using genetically altered keynote speaker Stephen F. Vatner, M.D., a professor mouse models. These mice are in the Department of Cell Biology and Molecular protected from aging, cardiovas- Medicine at the University of Medicine and Graduate Student Research Forum keynote speaker Stephen F. Vatner, M.D., seated, fielded questions from students in the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences at the cular stress, diabetes and obesity Dentistry of (UMDNJ) and director “students-only” session. compared to the wild type. of the Cardiovascular Research Institute there. Dr. Vatner shared his views on the difficulties of entering His advice to novice researchers on the cusp of Michal L. Schwartzman, Ph.D., professor and chair the science field as a new investigator, changes in entering the field and getting ahead in the highly of the Department of Pharmacology, was presented funding, and different careers for scientists in competitive scientific arena was tremendously with the 2012 Honored Faculty Award for her industry or academia. “Students really appreciated valuable,” said Andrea Love, GSA vice president service and support of students and mission of the Dr. Vatner’s perspective as a very senior researcher. for the GSRF. Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences. ᮡ

NOVICE POSTER PRESENTATIONS SECOND PLACE FIRST PLACE Szu Hua (Sharon) Lin (10) Dimitri Laurent (6) “Okazaki Fragment Processing by Human Pol Delta/Fen1 and Its “Ethanol Feeding Compromises Cardiovascular Function; a Potential Inhibition by Ubiquitinated PCNA” Role for Mitrochondrial Topoisomerases” Faculty Sponsor: Marietta Lee, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular biology Faculty Sponsor: John G. Edwards, Ph.D., associate professor of physiology THIRD PLACE SECOND PLACE Dhara P. Patel (2) Casey Jussim (1) “Use of a ‘Redox-Dead’ Mouse Model to Determine the Role of PKG “Infiltrating Macrophages in the Tumor Microenvironment Induce Dimerization in Vascular Responses to Changes in Peroxide and Phenotypic Changes in Human Breast Cancer Cells” Cytosolic NADPH Oxidation” Faculty Sponsor: Raj K. Tiwari, Ph.D., professor of microbiology and immunology Faculty Sponsor: Michael S. Wolin, Ph.D., professor of physiology

THIRD PLACE (TIE) ORAL PRESENTATIONS May Rabadi (3) FIRST PLACE “HMGB1 Release from Kidneys during Renal Regina Nostramo (9) Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury” “Regulation of Adrenomedullary Angiotensin II Type-2 Receptor Faculty Sponsor: Michael Goligorsky, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine Gene Expression in Response to Stress” Faculty Sponsor: Esther Sabban, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular biology Keerat Kaur (4) “Inhibition of G9A Histone Methyltransferase Enhances the SECOND PLACE Cardiopotency of Bone Marrow-Derived Progenitor Cells” Christine LeRoy (8) Faculty Sponsor: Leonard Eisenberg, Ph.D., professor of physiology “Cellular Redundancy of Mechanisms Facilitating Damage-Induced Degradation of the Polymerase Delta P12 Subunit” SENIOR POSTER PRESENTATIONS Faculty Sponsor: Marietta Lee, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular biology FIRST PLACE Andrea C. Love (5) THIRD PLACE (TIE) “Borrelia Burgdorferi RNA Induces Type I and Type III Interferon by Linnea Vose (7) Human Immune Cells via TLR7-IRF7-Dependent Signaling” “Novel Cognitive Impairments Identified in a Drosophila Model Faculty Sponsors: Mary M. Petzke, Ph.D., assistant professor of microbiology of Neurofibromatosis Type 1” and immunology, and Ira Schwartz, Ph.D., professor and chairman of Faculty Sponsor: Frances Hannan, Ph.D., assistant professor of cell biology and anatomy microbiology and immunology

1 3 5 6 7 10 2 4 8 9

Winners of the 24th Annual Graduate Student Research Forum were congratulated by Stephen F. Vatner, M.D., fourth from right, and Francis L. Belloni, Ph.D., far right, dean of the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences.

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ᮣ CAMPUSROUNDS

SHSP demonstrates commitment to a healthier America during National Public Health Week oster displays, special lectures and a Dr. Yang’s research focuses on the mechanisms career panel were among the attractions and benefits of traditional Taiji and Qigong Pat the Center for Interactive Learning in practice and he clarifies the connections the School of Health Sciences and Practice between the Eastern/traditional and during the first week of April in observance of Western/academic fields. At the end of the National Public Health Week (NPHW). Since presentation, the audience was invited to 1995, the American Public Health Association perform some Taiji and Qigong movements has organized NPHW, annually presenting a demonstrated by Dr. Yang. theme to educate the public, policymakers and Postural screenings, workplace ergonomic practitioners about public health issues. Each evaluations, pulmonary function testing, year the campus group Student Healthcare SHSP student volunteers Bridget Owusu, Christabel Nyange, Zachary Messer and Wing Choy were on hand to register participants attending National heart rate and blood pressure screenings Executives (StuHE) organizes events related Public Health Week events. and Body Mass Index (BMI) evaluations to the theme and highlights issues that are were offered by the Doctor of Physical important to improving the public’s Therapy Class of 2014. After performing the health. This year’s theme was “A Healthier screenings, students offered the participants America Begins Today: Join the Movement!” informational brochures and gave recom- to address the issue of preventive measures to mendations to promote health and wellness. improve health and wellness. The week was capped off by a career panel First on the week’s agenda was a presentation moderated by Annette Choolfaian, R.N., by Allen J. Dozor, M.D., professor of pediatrics M.P.A., professor and chair of the and clinical public health, director of the Department of Health Policy and Children’s Environmental Health Center of the Management. Students queried the panelists Hudson Valley (CEHCHV), and chief of pediatric who hailed from a variety of career paths— pulmonology, allergy and sleep medicine at Class of 2014 D.P.T. students Maria Cuomo and Mary Norey help Soraya Bazile, right, president of the Student Healthcare Executive (StuHE) group, including some alumni—who shared their Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at check her body mass index (BMI) using a BMI meter. own experiences and advice for navigating Westchester Medical Center. He presented public health professions. The panelists “The Asthma Epidemic: Think Globally, included Cheryl Archbald, M.D., M.P.H., deputy commissioner of community Act Locally,” which explored the epidemiology of the disease, reasons why it is health, Westchester County Department of Health; Elvira Beracochea, M.D., on the rise—it is now the most common chronic childhood disease—and ways M.P.H., international public health advisor and faculty member at George it can be diagnosed, prevented and treated. Mason University; Leroy Francis, M.P.H. ’07, project manager, business Later in the week the College community was able to explore Taiji and Qigong, development office, Nassau University Medical Center; Patrick C.W. Lee, M.P.H. ’11, or body movement practices that cultivate energy. Master Yang Yang, Ph.D., safety manager, Stericycle, Inc.; Frank P. Mineo, Ph.D., EMT-P, corporate director, researcher and founder of the Center for Taiji and Qigong Studies in manager, emergency preparedness, Health Quest Systems, Inc. and acting New York City, presented “Taiji & Qigong: A Multidimensional Approach to director, emergency preparedness at New York Medical College; and Jason Wellbeing.” Taiji and Qigong practices comprise an ancient and holistic art Tenzer, M.P.H. ’04, director of physician practice management at Metropolitan form that includes exercise of the physical, mental and spiritual “muscles.” Jewish Health System. ᮡ Medical students observe Week of Wellness edical students at New York Medical College participated their communities,” said AMA President Peter W. Carmel, M.D. in the American Medical Association’s (AMA) “Week of “Medical students represent the future of medicine, and their MWellness,” April 2-6. The initiative, now in its third year, commitment to improving public health will benefit the health and focuses on the AMA Healthier Life Steps Program™, which promotes well-being of their future patients.” four key health behaviors: maintaining a healthy diet, increasing physical Activities on campus included a talk on how to promote resilience by activity, reducing risky alcohol consumption and quitting smoking. a specialist in physician health. Michael F. Myers, M.D., is professor of “The AMA is encouraged that medical students across the country are clinical psychiatry, vice-chair of education and director of training in taking such an active role in the promotion of healthy behaviors in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at SUNY- Downstate Medical Center in . His presentation, “We’re Human Too: Understanding Our Vulnerabilities and Promoting Resilience,” focused on mental health issues prevalent among physicians and trainees, and offered ways to improve the culture of the medical profession to encourage members to seek help and support each other and engage in self care.

Brochures and posters promoting awareness of mental, physical and spiritual health were distributed throughout common gathering places for students. Second-year medical student James Fraser Rini, standing in photo at left, president the NYMC Integrative Medicine Club, led the club’s weekly yoga session in observance of Wellness Week. ᮡ

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SHSP hosts forum on HIV reimbursement and service changes he Center for Interactive Learning director of public health practice and Westchester in the School of Health Sciences County AIDS Council co-chair; Heather T and Practice (SHSP) was the site of Archer-Smith, M.P.H. ’10, assistant director a forum addressing critical issues facing of public health practice; Yedidah Yehudah, the HIV/AIDS medical and social support program administrator, division of community services community, arising out of changes health, Westchester County Department of in the financing and delivery of HIV/AIDS Health; Sherlita Amler, M.D., Westchester services in the tri-county region. The April County Commissioner of Health; Robert W. 24 forum, “Medicaid Redesign, Health Amler, M.D., SHSP dean and the College’s vice Homes and More—Oh My!” included president for government affairs; Dan O’Connell, presentations and discussions centered deputy director, NYSDOH AIDS Institute around new regulatory changes in reimbursement, reductions in govern- HIV/STD/Hepatitis C Prevention and Epidemiology; Graham Harriman, ment funding and new service delivery models. The event was sponsored director, care and treatment unit, New York City Department of Health by the SHSP, Westchester County AIDS Council, Westchester County and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control; Ira Department of Health, New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Feldman, deputy director NYSDOH AIDS Institute Medicaid policy and AIDS Institute, Open Door Family Medical Centers, ARCS, The Sharing programs; Cheryl Archbald, M.D., M.P.H., deputy commissioner of the Community and Hudson River HealthCare. Organizers and speakers were, Westchester County Department of Health and a lecturer in the SHSP; from left: Peter A. Lequeur, Division of HIV/STI/Hepatitis C Preventions, and Wilfredo Morel, Hudson River Healthcare, Westchester County AIDS NYSDOH AIDS Institute; Amy Ansehl, R.N., M.S.N., FNP-C, NYMC’s Council co-chair. ᮡ

Mentoring leads to better communication skills ry saying “paraspeckle” ten times fast. If Under Ms. Minieri Arroyo’s tutelage, Mr. Naumann this would you think that’s hard, now try explaining became so proficient at explaining paraspeckles indicate that T to the general public how a paraspeckle that he was awarded the Phillips Award for paraspeckles act may relate to the flu virus. Exceptional Research for presenting his work, to combat viral “Influenza and Paraspeckles: Identifying a Novel replication. That’s one of the issues doctoral student Interaction with the Purpose of Developing More Jennifer Minieri Arroyo, M.S. ’06, was pondering Efficient Anti-viral Drugs” at the Westchester In his first when she heard that students from the Science and Engineering Fair in March.” summer, Mr. Yorktown High School Science Research Naumann Program were looking for mentors. What Ms. “It was a good experience for everyone,” said carried out an Minieri Arroyo didn’t realize when she signed on Dr. Bucher, whose lab is one of only three in the experiment that to mentor high school student Alexei Naumann world growing influenza seed viruses. “By having led to the deter- in the lab of Doris Bucher, Ph.D., associate to explain thoroughly how things work, Jennifer mination that professor of microbiology and immunology, was got more ideas. Alexei made some proposals that influenza virus At the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair, Yorktown High that her good deed would end up being a great were helpful, and got to see firsthand what it infection School student Alexei Naumann presented research he conducted at investment in her own communication skills. was like to work in a laboratory.” changes the New York Medical College. localization of Mr. Naumann said that when his teacher Paraspeckles—compartments within the nucleus paraspeckle proteins in the cell. The following connected him to of cells—are composed of pro- summer, he worked on a project that led to the “If we as scientists can’t communicate Ms. Minieri Arroyo, teins and RNA. Ms. Minieri discovery that influenza virus infection causes an to the general public what we are doing he tried to research Arroyo is exploring whether increase in the quantity of an RNA molecule that or why it is important, or what the paraspeckles in rela- repercussions of our findings might be, paraspeckles play a role in is essential for the structure of the paraspeckle tion to the influenza then our work isn’t appreciated.” influenza replication, and if so, compartment. The project also showed that virus on his own. whether they are acting as an influenza virus infection alters RNA molecules What he found was — Jennifer Minieri Arroyo, M.S. ’06 enemy to influenza virus or as that are regulated by paraspeckles. that so little had an unwitting accomplice. been written about the subject that he was “I’ve been interested in the flu since sixth or completely dependent on Ms. Minieri Arroyo Like all viruses, influenza is required to replicate seventh grade, when the swine flu was in the to explain it to him. within a host cell because viruses are not news all the time—I was fascinated by it,” said equipped with all the necessary machinery to Mr. Naumann, who plans to study computer “I had to learn to communicate my science to carry out autonomous replication. Influenza science at the University of Southern California. someone who doesn’t have the same baseline of invades a respiratory cell of a human host and “To be exposed to a professional laboratory knowledge as my colleagues do,” Ms. Minieri hijacks the cell’s machinery to replicate itself. setting was huge for me.” Arroyo said. “When Alexei first came to the lab, In this way, some of the host cellular machinery I thought he’d be involved in a cursory bit of participates as an accomplice to carry out viral Beyond learning some valuable communication the research. Then I saw that if I could properly replication. However, host cells are armed with skills, Ms. Minieri Arroyo said Mr. Naumann explain things, he would be able to understand immune responses that act to combat viral was “very inquisitive and had excellent inde- the whole depth of the research and what can be replication, thus helping to protect the cell. pendent thoughts.” In fact, on a few occasions, extrapolated from it. If we as scientists can’t his questions were the same ones seasoned communicate to the general public what we If influenza replication is inhibited when professors had asked about her research find- are doing or why it is important, or what the paraspeckles are not available, it would indicate ings. “Science is something you need to stick repercussions of our findings might be, then our that influenza virus uses paraspeckles to its own to for a long time, like long distance running. work isn’t appreciated. Mentoring Alexei helped advantage. Alternatively, if the virus is better able Alexei’s motivation and optimism were very me immensely in improving those skills.” to replicate itself when there are no paraspeckles, helpful to me.” ᮡ

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